The raw materials used have a great deal of influence on the material’s properties.
Material type
wetsuit rubber
A material is a naturally or artificially produced substance that is to be further processed into semi-finished or finished products. The right material can be chosen based on the properties needed for your application. Important properties include hardness, elasticity, durability and cost.
Additional feature
up to 35 meters depth
A material’s properties can be logically represented in the form of technical data. A unique combination of material and raw material quality can result in distinctive properties. This unique characteristic therefore ensures the greatest distinction between different materials.
Finishing: neoprene
2 sides nylon
Type of finishing
orange, black
Cell structure
closed cell
The cell structure indicates whether a material is open, semi-closed or closed. In materials with a closed cell structure, all cells are closed and the air cannot escape the cells. Materials with a closed cell structure can generally only be compressed by a certain percentage before the cells burst and the material disintegrates. By contrast, the air in materials with an open cell structure can enter and leave the cells. For this reason, open-celled materials can usually be completely compressed. Semi-closed materials fall between these two types. If the material is not compressed, air can circulate through it to a limited extent. But once the material is compressed by a certain percentage, the cells close and the material becomes closed in structure.
Density
170 kg/m³
A material’s compactness or density expresses the mass of that material present in a given volume. For most of our products, this is expressed in kg/m³. The manufacture of any given material always allows for tolerance on density. This cannot be avoided, unfortunately, but it is accurately tracked in quality controls. We measure the density or specific gravity of materials in accordance with international standards. This enables materials to be more effectively and accurately compared.
Density range and norm
145 to 195 kg/m³ (DIN EN ISO 845)
Possibilities Material
Most sold thicknesses
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 mm
While the most commonly sold thicknesses provide an initial indication of the standard options available, there are many more possibilities. If the thickness you are looking for is not listed, please contact us. We can often can easily customise the thickness, and there may also be an alternative material that comes in the desired thickness.
Minimum thickness
1,5 mm
The minimum thickness gives an indication of our technical capabilities, and is often a standard thickness. Should you need thinner material, however, please contact us. Sometimes we can provide this, and other times we can supply alternative materials in the desired thickness.
Maximum thickness
20 mm
The maximum thickness gives an indication of our technical capabilities. Should you need thicker material, however, please contact us. For some materials, we can glue several layers together to achieve the desired thickness, while for other materials we can use larger blocks. The possible solutions usually depend on the other desired dimensions and shape.
Dimension sheet
1300 x 2150 mm
At EKI, we cut shapes and strips from sheets. The standard sheet width indicates the maximum dimensions that are possible.
UV resistance
very good
Ozone resistance
very good
Sealing for which joint types
level/parallel
flat = smooth surface like metal/uneven = irregular surface like masonry/parallel = a joint that is very constant/gradient = a joint that varies a lot in thickness. Smooth and flat joints are not a problem, but irregular and gradient joints can be challenging. When it comes to masonry, for example, any unevenness should be properly accommodated but still provide a good seal. For gradient joints, the material should be very compressible, but still provide an effective seal in the areas where the tape is much less compressed.
Technical Properties Material
Temperature range
-30 °C to +80 °C, intermittent +90 °C
FMVSS302
compliant
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 302 is an international test that measures the flammability of a material. This standard specifies the burning behaviour exhibited by a material. If a material is compliant, this means that a certain minimum level of safety is guaranteed.
Behavior with fire
slowly flame-extinguishing
Linear shrinkage 22h, 70 °C
< 5%
Thermal conductivity
0,037 W/mK
Thermal conductivity indicates how a material conducts heat, and depends on temperature, density and moisture content. This value is calculated at 20°C
Compression deflection 25%
40 kPa (35 - 43 kPa, ASTM D1056)
The amount of force needed to compress the material by 25%, expressed in kPa. For compression by 25%, we generally work with the following standard ranges: 0-15, 15-35, 20-50, 35-65, 65-90, 90-120 and 120-175. The ranges are fairly broad, but do give a good idea when comparing materials of different hardnesses.
Compression deflection 50%
110 kPa (80 - 160 kPa, NF R 99211-80)
The amount of force needed to compress the material by 50%, expressed in kPa. This ASTM standard works with the following standard ranges: 20-40, 30-60, 40-80, 60-120, 80-160, 120-200, 160-250, 200-300 and 250-350. The ranges are fairly broad, but do give a good idea when comparing materials of different hardnesses.
Compression set: 50%, 24h, 23 °C
15% (< 25%, ASTM D 1056-07)
The compression set measures how well a material expands back to its original thickness. During the test, a material is compressed by a specific percentage for a specific amount of time at a specific temperature. The loss is expressed as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the better.
Compression set: 50%, 24h, 40 °C
40% (< 60%, NF R 99211-80)
The compression set measures how well a material expands back to its original thickness. During the test, a material is compressed by a specific percentage for a specific amount of time at a specific temperature. The loss is expressed as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the better.
Tensile strength kPa
660 kPa (> 600 kPa, DIN EN ISO 1798)
How much force must be applied before a material breaks? Tensile strength is a measure for classifying a material’s mechanical properties. The tensile strength limit value indicates the minimum amount of force or stress a material can withstand before it breaks.
Elongation
250% (> 200%, DIN EN ISO 1798)
The elongation is a measure of the material’s elasticity, and relates to its tensile strength. It indicates the percentage by which the material is elongated when the specified force of tensile strength is used. The elongation is expressed as a percentage of the original length: 120% means that the material can be stretched by 20% of its original size before it breaks.
Maximum % of compression
50%
This indicates the maximum percentage by which a material can be compressed without breaking the material. For example, if closed-cell foam is compressed by more than 50%, the cells burst. The maximum compression percentage for harder materials is much lower. Very soft materials with an open cell structure can often be almost completely compressed.
Applications, Standards
REACH
compliant
REACH is a European regulation that deals with which chemical substances should not be included in materials. The main idea behind it is the improved protection of human and environmental health from the risks of chemicals. This list of substances is regularly modified and expanded, and EKI monitors this on an ongoing basis.
RoHS
compliant
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive is concerned with limiting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This standard is therefore mainly used in the electrical industry and is regularly updated. EKI monitors this on an ongoing basis.
Recyclable
compliant
We are already recycling residual waste from our production process as much as possible. In most cases, this means grinding the rubber or foam into small pellets that are then reused as the basis for new products. If customers return residual waste, EKI includes it in this recycling process.
CFC and HCFC free
compliant
In short, the material is ozone-friendly. We get this question regularly at EKI, especially from sealant companies. Although the question is more applicable to some materials than to others, we have extended this notion throughout our entire range.
Shelf life
2 years
The amount of time a material may remain in stock after it has come in, before being used. This is based on an assumption of normal indoor conditions, and that the material is still in its original packaging. Our guideline is a temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of 40% to 50%.
General Description
Raw material
neoprene
The raw materials used have a great deal of influence on the material’s properties.
Material type
wetsuit rubber
A material is a naturally or artificially produced substance that is to be further processed into semi-finished or finished products. The right material can be chosen based on the properties needed for your application. Important properties include hardness, elasticity, durability and cost.
Additional feature
up to 35 meters depth
A material’s properties can be logically represented in the form of technical data. A unique combination of material and raw material quality can result in distinctive properties. This unique characteristic therefore ensures the greatest distinction between different materials.
Finishing: neoprene
2 sides nylon
Type of finishing
orange, black
Cell structure
closed cell
The cell structure indicates whether a material is open, semi-closed or closed. In materials with a closed cell structure, all cells are closed and the air cannot escape the cells. Materials with a closed cell structure can generally only be compressed by a certain percentage before the cells burst and the material disintegrates. By contrast, the air in materials with an open cell structure can enter and leave the cells. For this reason, open-celled materials can usually be completely compressed. Semi-closed materials fall between these two types. If the material is not compressed, air can circulate through it to a limited extent. But once the material is compressed by a certain percentage, the cells close and the material becomes closed in structure.
Density
170 kg/m³
A material’s compactness or density expresses the mass of that material present in a given volume. For most of our products, this is expressed in kg/m³. The manufacture of any given material always allows for tolerance on density. This cannot be avoided, unfortunately, but it is accurately tracked in quality controls. We measure the density or specific gravity of materials in accordance with international standards. This enables materials to be more effectively and accurately compared.
Density range and norm
145 to 195 kg/m³ (DIN EN ISO 845)
Possibilities Material
Most sold thicknesses
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 mm
While the most commonly sold thicknesses provide an initial indication of the standard options available, there are many more possibilities. If the thickness you are looking for is not listed, please contact us. We can often can easily customise the thickness, and there may also be an alternative material that comes in the desired thickness.
Minimum thickness
1,5 mm
The minimum thickness gives an indication of our technical capabilities, and is often a standard thickness. Should you need thinner material, however, please contact us. Sometimes we can provide this, and other times we can supply alternative materials in the desired thickness.
Maximum thickness
20 mm
The maximum thickness gives an indication of our technical capabilities. Should you need thicker material, however, please contact us. For some materials, we can glue several layers together to achieve the desired thickness, while for other materials we can use larger blocks. The possible solutions usually depend on the other desired dimensions and shape.
Dimension sheet
1300 x 2150 mm
At EKI, we cut shapes and strips from sheets. The standard sheet width indicates the maximum dimensions that are possible.
UV resistance
very good
Ozone resistance
very good
Sealing for which joint types
level/parallel
flat = smooth surface like metal/uneven = irregular surface like masonry/parallel = a joint that is very constant/gradient = a joint that varies a lot in thickness. Smooth and flat joints are not a problem, but irregular and gradient joints can be challenging. When it comes to masonry, for example, any unevenness should be properly accommodated but still provide a good seal. For gradient joints, the material should be very compressible, but still provide an effective seal in the areas where the tape is much less compressed.
Technical Properties Material
Temperature range
-30 °C to +80 °C, intermittent +90 °C
FMVSS302
compliant
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 302 is an international test that measures the flammability of a material. This standard specifies the burning behaviour exhibited by a material. If a material is compliant, this means that a certain minimum level of safety is guaranteed.
Behavior with fire
slowly flame-extinguishing
Linear shrinkage 22h, 70 °C
< 5%
Thermal conductivity
0,037 W/mK
Thermal conductivity indicates how a material conducts heat, and depends on temperature, density and moisture content. This value is calculated at 20°C
Compression deflection 25%
40 kPa (35 - 43 kPa, ASTM D1056)
The amount of force needed to compress the material by 25%, expressed in kPa. For compression by 25%, we generally work with the following standard ranges: 0-15, 15-35, 20-50, 35-65, 65-90, 90-120 and 120-175. The ranges are fairly broad, but do give a good idea when comparing materials of different hardnesses.
Compression deflection 50%
110 kPa (80 - 160 kPa, NF R 99211-80)
The amount of force needed to compress the material by 50%, expressed in kPa. This ASTM standard works with the following standard ranges: 20-40, 30-60, 40-80, 60-120, 80-160, 120-200, 160-250, 200-300 and 250-350. The ranges are fairly broad, but do give a good idea when comparing materials of different hardnesses.
Compression set: 50%, 24h, 23 °C
15% (< 25%, ASTM D 1056-07)
The compression set measures how well a material expands back to its original thickness. During the test, a material is compressed by a specific percentage for a specific amount of time at a specific temperature. The loss is expressed as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the better.
Compression set: 50%, 24h, 40 °C
40% (< 60%, NF R 99211-80)
The compression set measures how well a material expands back to its original thickness. During the test, a material is compressed by a specific percentage for a specific amount of time at a specific temperature. The loss is expressed as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the better.
Tensile strength kPa
660 kPa (> 600 kPa, DIN EN ISO 1798)
How much force must be applied before a material breaks? Tensile strength is a measure for classifying a material’s mechanical properties. The tensile strength limit value indicates the minimum amount of force or stress a material can withstand before it breaks.
Elongation
250% (> 200%, DIN EN ISO 1798)
The elongation is a measure of the material’s elasticity, and relates to its tensile strength. It indicates the percentage by which the material is elongated when the specified force of tensile strength is used. The elongation is expressed as a percentage of the original length: 120% means that the material can be stretched by 20% of its original size before it breaks.
Maximum % of compression
50%
This indicates the maximum percentage by which a material can be compressed without breaking the material. For example, if closed-cell foam is compressed by more than 50%, the cells burst. The maximum compression percentage for harder materials is much lower. Very soft materials with an open cell structure can often be almost completely compressed.
Applications, Standards
REACH
compliant
REACH is a European regulation that deals with which chemical substances should not be included in materials. The main idea behind it is the improved protection of human and environmental health from the risks of chemicals. This list of substances is regularly modified and expanded, and EKI monitors this on an ongoing basis.
RoHS
compliant
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive is concerned with limiting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This standard is therefore mainly used in the electrical industry and is regularly updated. EKI monitors this on an ongoing basis.
Recyclable
compliant
We are already recycling residual waste from our production process as much as possible. In most cases, this means grinding the rubber or foam into small pellets that are then reused as the basis for new products. If customers return residual waste, EKI includes it in this recycling process.
CFC and HCFC free
compliant
In short, the material is ozone-friendly. We get this question regularly at EKI, especially from sealant companies. Although the question is more applicable to some materials than to others, we have extended this notion throughout our entire range.
Shelf life
2 years
The amount of time a material may remain in stock after it has come in, before being used. This is based on an assumption of normal indoor conditions, and that the material is still in its original packaging. Our guideline is a temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of 40% to 50%.
Disclaimers
The published technical data is based on research data and serves as a guide for the various applications. Due to the great diversity of products and application possibilities, the buyer must test himself whether the intended material meets the requirements. All information is subject to typing errors, mistakes and market developments and no rights can be derived from this.
