Plastic Gaskets & Material

Plastic Gaskets & Materials

At Excelsior, we’ve been an industry leader in commercial and industrial gaskets for over 100 years. We provide a wide range of high-quality plastic gaskets for heavy-duty applications, from industrial machinery to aircraft components. Our precision thermoplastic parts offer optimal performance for industries ranging from automotive to construction.

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Why Are Plastic Gaskets Important for Industrial Businesses?

Gaskets are critical in industrial processes, sealing joints and preventing leakage of air, gas, and liquids. Gaskets can also:

Improve mounting strength
Reduce operational noise and vibrations
Eliminate friction between surfaces or joined parts
Protect against impacts
Keep dirt and contaminants out
Enhance system efficiency and performance

Plastic seals and gaskets perform the same role, but seals are technically designed for moving parts while gaskets offer greater flexibility for shapes and sizes.

Which Industries Use Plastic Gaskets?

Virtually every industry has a use for thermoplastic gaskets and seals:

Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical: Transfer pipes, tanks, motors, valves, and corrosive applications
Manufacturing: Pneumatic compressors, vacuum pumps, conveyors, vent ducts, and food service equipment
Energy: Hydroelectric, solar, and wind power generator components
Aerospace: Fuel systems and engine components
Plumbing: Pipe flanges
Residential and Commercial Construction: Structural, electrical, and HVAC systems
Healthcare: Pipe gaskets, hospital equipment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing

The type of plastic gasket required for each industry varies significantly depending on application specifications, which is why working with an experienced supplier is so important.

What Type of Plastic Does Your Application Require?

At Excelsior, we’re experts in plastics production. For industrial gaskets, we work extensively with LDPE and HDPE, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylon, Lexan (polycarbonate), Delrin, and other materials.

Whether your operations demand resistance to high temperatures, wear, salt water, corrosive acids, solvents, or hydrocarbons, we have plastic gaskets that meet your needs.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Plastic for Gaskets?

Plastic seals and gaskets offer advantages that metal options lack:

Excellent corrosion resistance
Improved insulation and sealing properties
Low weight and high strength ratio
Significant versatility for design, fabrication, and processing
Wide range of specs for energy absorption, density, and compression

Thanks to plastic gaskets, automotive and aircraft components deliver incredible performance while keeping weight to a minimum. Manufacturers can reduce maintenance costs and keep equipment working smoothly for ages.

How Can We Help You Find the Right Gasket?

To choose the right plastic gasket for your system, consider factors such as fluid pressure, chemical environment, surface measurements, impact resistance, and process temperatures. Our wide range of materials and sizes makes your job easier.

At Excelsior, we also offer custom gaskets, waterjet cutting, die cutting, and CNC laser services. We accommodate high-, medium-, and low-volume orders. Contact us for detailed specifications.

Common Name	Plastic	Description	Common Uses
ABS	Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)	ABS is an impact resistant resin. It is highly rigid, exhibits good impact strength at low temperatures and is resistant to abrasion.	Computer keyboard, plastic face on wall sockets
Acetate / cellulose acetate	Various	Generally produced in thin grade, this material has good dimensional stability. It is generally approved for food grade and medical applications. It is mallable with low heat	Eyeglass frames
Acrylic / Plexiglass	Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)	Used primarily as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is impact resistant and has a high load bearing capacity. In addition to the popular clear appearance, it also comes in colored sheets comonly used for signs and other applications.	Windows, signs
Celcon	Acetal Copolymer	Very strong and rigid, good sliding properties and it is easily welded. In addition, Celcon is a good electical insulator (other than black color).	Plastic gears and fasteners
Delrin	Acetal Homopolymer	Acetal provides high strength and stiffness coupled with enhanced dimensional stability. It has a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties. It also offers resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including many solvents. Acetal is ideally suited for electrical insulators which require strength and stiffness.	Rollers and gears
Formex	Various	Primarily used as an electrical insulating material. Maintains high dielectric strength, low moinsture absorption and has a UL 94 V-0 flame rating. In addition, this material is excellent for creasing, bending and folding.	Electrical insulators and barriers
HDPE	High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	HDPE offers excellent impact resistance, light weight, low moisture absorption and high tensile strength. HDPE is also non-toxic and meets FDA and USDA certification for food processing.	Shampoo bottles, chemical containers
Kapton	Polyimide (PI)	Polyimides (PI) exhibit excellent resistance to heat and chemicals as well as offering outstanding mechanical properties. UL 94 V-0 flammability rating	Gaskets around electical applications
LDPE	Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)	LDPE is a cost effective flexible polyethylene with good low temperature impact resistance but with a low continuous operating temperature. It has high chemical resistance but can be attacked by strong oxidizing acids. It is also susceptible to stress cracking.	Containers, dispensing bottles, plastic bags
Lexan	Polycarbonate (PC)	(PC) is hard and strong. They show good resistance to alcohols and, dilute acids. They can withstand low temperatures down to -20°C. They exhibit poor resistance to dilute alkalis, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons.	Phone cases, Machine guards
Mylar / Polyester film	Polyester (PET)	Generally referred to as shim stock, polyester film is offered in thickness ranging from .0005" - .030". Each standard thickness has a standard color. Generall this material is strong, dimensionally stable and has excellent chemical resistance.	Shims
Nylon / MDS	Polyamide (PAI)	Nylon offers excellent high temperature, electrical resistance and chemical resistantance. Reinforcement with MDS or glass fibers make polyamides extremely strong and wear resistant.	Bearings, fasteners, spacers
PEEK	Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)	(PEEK) is a very high performance, high temperature thermoplastic that offers high levels of chemical and water resistance, high PV properties and is dimensionally stable.	Aerospace applications such as piston parts; demanding electical applications
PET	Polyester (PET)	(PET) is a durable. tough thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and high energy radiation. It is also weather, wear and abrasion resistant.	2 liter bottles
Phenolic	Phenolic (Paper)	Phenolics are thermoset resin impregnated layers of paper, canvas, linen, or glass cloth. The base layers are dependent on the specific application. Phenolics exhibit high physical strength and very good electrical properties.	Spacers and insulating gaskets
PP	Polypropylene (PP)	(PP) exhibits high dielectric strength, good resistance to chemicals, heat and fatigue. It offers excellent electrical and chemical resistance at higher temperatures.	Food containers, lunch boxes, packaging
PS	Polystyrene (PS)	(PS) is a low cost thermoplastic with good electrical and mechanical properties. It is dimensionally stable and features high impact resistance and stress resistance.	CD cases, appliance housings
PVC	Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	(PVC) is flame retardant and is extremely resistance to water. In addition to offering high electrical insulation properties, it exhibits good impact and weather resistance.	Drainage pipe, roofing membranes
Teflon	Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)	(PTFE) is extremely soft and formable and it is often used for chemical resistant seals and gaskets. It features good dimensional stability, good wear resistance as well as excellent electrical insulating properties.	Slide plates, bushings
Torlon	Polyamide-imide	Very high performance material with extreme strength. Can withstand +500F and offers unmatched strenghts at high termperatures. Glass-reinforced and carbon fiber reinforced grades also available for increased strength.	Thermal insulators, gears, bushings
UHMWPE	Ultra High Molecular; Weight Polyethlyne	(UHMWPE) is extremely durable highly abrasion resistant polyethylene with a low coefficient of friction and superior impact resistance.	Conveyor systems, wear strips
Ultem	Polyetherimide (PEI)	(PEI) features high temperature resistance, impact strength, creep resistance, and rigidity. It is resistant to alcohols, acids, and hydrocarbon solvents but will dissolve in partially halogenated solvents.	Medical and chemical instruments