What Are Rubber Seal Strips?
A rubber seal strip—also called weatherstripping or gasket—is a flexible extruded profile made from elastomers such as EPDM, nitrile (NBR), or silicone. Its job is straightforward yet critical: it compresses into the gaps between fixed and moving parts to block air, water, dust, noise, and even light.
You’ll find them everywhere—residential doors and windows, automotive windshields and trunks, train carriage doors, yacht hatches, electrical enclosures, and the soft gasket around your refrigerator door.
How They Work:
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Most profiles have a “lip” or a field “lamp” that compress the moment of closing the door or cover, creating an airtight and watertight barrier. When you open it again, the natural elasticity of the rubber returns it to a shape ready for the next ten thousand cycles. Many also contain foam nuclei with closed cells, which add additional depreciation, thermal insulation and sound weakening.
Core Benefits & Material Comparison
| Benefit | Description |
| Air & Water Tightness |
Cut energy bills by up to 14% by stopping drafts and leaks. |
| Durability & Aging Resistance | EPDM resists ozone ,UV, and extreme temperatures (‑40 °C ~ 120 °C); NBR is superior to oil and fuel; Silicone remains flexible up to 200 °C. |
| Noise & Vibration Dampening | Foam‑backed seals drastically reduce noise and vibrations in vehicles, machines and building partitions. |
| Custom Profiles & Colors | Any desired cross section (single extruded, co-extruded or foam) with optional stainless steel/PVC reinforcement ; available in black, gray, white, or custom hues. |
| Fire & Chemical Resistance | UL94‑VO rated options, flame‑retardant EPDM blends, and chemical‑resistant NBR grades safeguard rail cars, marine vessels, and industrial equipment. |
Material & Manufacturing Overview
1. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
- Excellent ozone/UV/weather resistance
- Temperature range: –40 °C ~ +120 °C
- Ideal for car,outdoor, and building seals
2. NBR (Nitrile)
- Excellent oil resistance, fuel resistance, and chemical resistance
- Temperature range: –30 °C ~ +100 °C
- Common in engine compartments, hydraulic equipment
3. Silicone
- Food‑grade and medical‑grade options
- Used in ovens, medical devices, and high‑heat applications
- Extreme temperature stability (–60 °C ~ +200 °C)
4. Foam Rubber (Closed‑cell)
- Lightweight, compressible, thermal insulator
- Reduces vibration and sound
- Used in doors, windows, Home appliance air conditioning system
Manufacturing Processes:
- Single‑extrusion: A material is extruded through a mold.
- Foam extrusion: The chemical foaming agent forms a closed structure in the line.
- Co‑extrusion: Two or more materials are combined in one profile (e.g., EPDM+foam).
Top 5 Application Scenarios
1. Building & Windows
The most cost-effective energy-saving upgrade—P, D, and bulb profiles keep out dust, insects, and noise.
2. Auto Sealing
Suitable for sealing design of windows, doors, trunk lid, and engine compartment. It must be able to withstand the effects of high-speed driving, road dirt, ultraviolet radiation, and temperature changes.
3. Cabinets & Appliances
Closed‑cell foam strips for refrigeration, cabinetry, and equipment enclosures. Provide dust, moisture barrier and cushioning.
4. Rail & Metro
Fire‑rated, low‑smoke seals for carriage doors and windows. Comply with EN 45545, NFPA 130 standards for passenger safety.
5. Marine & Container Doors
Corrosion resistant EPDM rubber and silicone J-shaped and V-shaped profiles ensure a watertight hatch in saltwater environments.
How to Select the Right Seal Strip
- Identify Environment: indoor and outdoor, temperature range, chemical exposure.
- Choose Material: EPDM for weather resistance, NBR for oil, silicone for heat resistance.
- Measure Gap Width & Compression:Measure the gap and set a compression target of 10% -30% to achieve the best sealing effect.
- Profile Shape:Match the contour shape with grooves.
- Certifications: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, RoHS satisfies your industry requirements.
Why Choose OKIN Seal Strips?
- 21 Production Lines (6 co‑extrusion, 3 foam) → Fast lead times
- International Certifications: ISO 9001, IATF 16949, UL94‑VO, RoHS → Guaranteed quality
- Global Export: Serving 30+ countries across Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America
- Expert Support: 24/7 technical support, free custom design, and rapid sampling (samples in your hands within days)
Connect us to request your free sample today! Rubber seal strips are crucial for energy efficiency, equipment longevity, and safety across multiple industries. By selecting the right material and profile—and partnering with a certified expert like OKIN—you ensure leak‑proof, durable performance under the harshest conditions.