OEM Custom Flat Rubber Washer Reliable Heat Resistant Rubber Sealing Washer for Hose

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What is a Flat Rubber Washer?

A flat rubber washer is a simple yet essential sealing component with a flat, disc-like shape and a central hole. It is designed to be placed between a nut and a surface or between two connecting surfaces to create a watertight, airtight, or dust-proof seal. When compressed, the rubber deforms slightly to fill any microscopic imperfections in the surfaces, effectively preventing the passage of liquids or gases. It also helps to absorb vibration and prevent loosening due to movement.

Materials

Flat rubber washers are made from various elastomers, each selected for its specific properties to suit different environments and fluids.

• Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and solvents, making it ideal for automotive and industrial applications.

• Neoprene (CR): Offers good resistance to weathering, ozone, and moderate chemicals. It is a good general-purpose rubber.

• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM): Outstanding resistance to weathering, ozone, steam, and hot water. Commonly used in outdoor and automotive cooling systems.

• Silicone (VMQ): Has an extremely wide temperature range (both high and low) and is physiologically inert, making it suitable for food-grade, medical, and high-temperature applications.

• Fluoroelastomer (FKM/Viton®): Provides exceptional resistance to high temperatures and a wide range of corrosive chemicals.

Surface Finishes

Unlike metal parts, rubber washers do not receive applied “surface finishes” in the traditional sense. Their surface characteristic is inherent to the base material and the manufacturing molding process. They are typically produced with a smooth, non-porous surface to optimize sealing performance.

Specifications

Flat rubber washers are defined by a few simple but critical dimensional parameters.

• Inner Diameter (ID): The size of the hole, which must fit snugly around the bolt or screw.

• Outer Diameter (OD): The overall outside diameter of the washer.

• Thickness: The depth of the washer, which determines how much it can be compressed.

• Material Hardness: Often measured on the Shore A Durometer scale, indicating the softness or hardness of the rubber, which affects its compressibility and sealing force.

Application Fields

The versatility of flat rubber washers makes them ubiquitous across nearly every industry.

• Plumbing: Used in faucets, pipe connections, and valves to prevent water leaks.

• Automotive: Found in engine assemblies, fluid systems (oil, fuel, coolant), and electronic housings to seal against dust and moisture.

• Appliances: Used in washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators to create watertight seals in pumps, valves, and doors.

• Electronics: Placed under screw heads to create EMI/RFI shielding or to seal outdoor electronic enclosures.

• General Industrial Machinery: Used in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pumps, and fluid handling equipment to contain liquids and gases.

Excellent Use Case: Preventing a Chronic Outdoor Faucet Leak

A homeowner was frustrated by a garden faucet that persistently dripped from the connection between the spout and the wall, even after tightening the mounting nut. The original flat fiber washer had become brittle and cracked, failing to seal.

Replacing it with a flat EPDM rubber washer with the correct inner and outer diameter solved the problem completely. The pliability of the EPDM material allowed it to conform perfectly to the slight imperfections in the metal surfaces when the nut was tightened. This created an instant and durable seal.

Even through seasonal temperature changes from summer heat to winter frost, the EPDM washer maintained its elasticity and sealing properties. This simple, low-cost washer successfully stopped the leak for years, preventing water waste and potential water damage to the home’s foundation, showcasing the critical role of a reliable rubber seal in a basic plumbing application.