Rubber Sheet UK | SBR, EPDM, Nitrile & Neoprene
17 products
Years Experience
Thickness Range
To Any Size
Dispatch
Minimum Order
Rubber sheet is a versatile industrial material made from natural or synthetic rubber compounds — SBR, EPDM, nitrile, neoprene, silicone and more — supplied in rolls or cut to size. It is used across manufacturing, construction, food processing, automotive, and commercial sectors for gaskets, seals, floor protection, acoustic insulation, and surface lining. All Rubberco rubber sheet is sold by the linear metre with no minimum order, cut to your exact requirements.
Shop Rubber Sheet by Compound
General purpose EPDM
Outdoor & UV Nitrile (NBR)
Oil resistant Neoprene (CR)
Chemical resistant Silicone
Food & high-temp Insertion
Fabric reinforced Acoustic
Soundproofing Self-Adhesive
Peel & stick
Choose Rubber Sheet by Application
1.5–6mm SBR or nitrile sheet. For flanges, pumps, valve seats. Nitrile for oil/fuel contact. Natural rubber for water and mild chemical seals.
Nitrile (NBR) rubber sheet. Engineered for oil, fuel and petroleum products. Used in automotive workshops, engineering, and food oil environments.
EPDM rubber sheet. UV-stable, ozone-resistant, -40°C to +120°C. Used for roofing, pond liners, outdoor seals, weather barriers.
White or blue nitrile (FDA/EC 1935/2004 compliant). Used for food processing workbenches, anti-fatigue mats, and machinery seals in food production.
High-density acoustic rubber sheet. Reduces impact and airborne noise. Used under floating floors, around machinery, and in vehicle lining.
8–25mm SBR or EPDM sheet. Protects concrete subfloors, workbenches and surfaces from impact, abrasion and chemical contamination.
3–6mm SBR or acoustic sheet. Ideal for van floors, car boot liners, trailer beds, and horsebox floors. Lightweight, easy to cut and install.
15–25mm natural rubber or anti-vibration sheet. For machine bases, HVAC units, industrial plant. Reduces structure-borne noise and vibration.
Rubber Sheet Compound Comparison
| Compound | Shore A | Temp Range | Best Resistance | Avoid | Key Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBR / Natural | 40–80 | -40°C to +80°C | Abrasion, tear, water | Oils, UV, ozone | General purpose, flooring, gaskets |
| EPDM | 40–70 | -40°C to +120°C | UV, ozone, steam, weather | Petroleum oils, solvents | Outdoor, roofing, pond liners, seals |
| Nitrile (NBR) | 40–80 | -30°C to +100°C | Oils, fuels, petroleum | Aromatic solvents, ozone | Automotive, food, engineering |
| Neoprene (CR) | 40–70 | -40°C to +120°C | Oil, ozone, flame, chemicals | Strong oxidising acids | Marine, electrical, chemical plants |
| Silicone | 40–80 | -60°C to +200°C | High temp, food-safe, UV | Petroleum solvents, steam | Food processing, medical, high heat |
| Insertion | 50–70 | -30°C to +80°C | Compression, pressure | High temp, oils | Gaskets, packing, high compression |
Rubber Sheet Thickness Guide
| Thickness | Weight per m² | Typical Application | Indicative Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5–2mm | 0.7–2.8 kg/m² | Gaskets, diaphragms, thin seals | From £8/m |
| 3–6mm | 4.2–8.4 kg/m² | Acoustic underlay, light matting, bench covers, vehicle lining | From £12/m |
| 8–12mm | 11–17 kg/m² | Heavy matting, gym flooring, vibration damping | From £18/m |
| 15–20mm | 21–28 kg/m² | Machine bases, industrial anti-fatigue, stable flooring | From £25/m |
| 25mm | 35 kg/m² | Heavy machinery isolation, Olympic lifting platforms | From £35/m |
Why Choose Rubberco for Rubber Sheet?
UK rubber sheet specialists since the 1960s. Trusted by Rolls-Royce, Ministry of Defence, Royal Mail, Metropolitan Police, BBC, ITV and 10,000+ businesses.
Linear metre pricing with no minimum order. Cut in-house to your exact length before dispatch. Bespoke widths and custom shapes available on request.
British Specification grades. FDA-approved food-safe grades. WRAS-approved EPDM for potable water. BS EN and IEC certified electrical safety grades available.
SBR, EPDM, nitrile, neoprene, natural rubber, silicone, insertion rubber. All compounds in stock. Technical advice available for unusual specifications.
In-stock rubber sheet orders placed before 2pm ship same day via UPS or Palletways. Fast mainland UK delivery.
Not sure which compound? Request a free rubber sheet sample before you buy. Assess the feel, hardness and quality before committing to a full order.
Trusted by Leading UK Organisations
Rubber Sheet UK — Complete Technical Guide
SBR and Natural Rubber Sheet
SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) is the UK's most widely used general-purpose rubber sheet compound. Cost-effective, with good abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, SBR rubber sheet is suitable for flooring, industrial matting, gaskets, seals, and vibration damping. Shore hardness typically 40–80A. Temperature range -40°C to +80°C. Not suitable for oils, fuels, or outdoor UV exposure.
Natural rubber offers superior mechanical performance — higher tensile strength (≥14 MPa), better tear resistance, and greater elongation at break (≥400%) compared to synthetic alternatives. Preferred where maximum toughness and flexibility are required simultaneously.
Best applications: General industrial gaskets, flange seals, workbench liners, trailer bed protection, machine padding, agricultural use, impact-absorbing matting.
EPDM Rubber Sheet
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) sheet is the definitive outdoor rubber. Outstanding resistance to UV radiation, ozone, steam, and weathering makes it the material of choice for exterior applications where SBR would degrade. Temperature range -40°C to +120°C. WRAS-approved grades available for potable water contact. Shore hardness 40–70A.
Best applications: Flat roofing membranes, pond and reservoir liners, outdoor seals and gaskets, weather stripping, marine environments, chemical plant seals. Not suitable for petroleum oils or aromatic hydrocarbons.
Nitrile Rubber Sheet (NBR)
Nitrile (NBR) rubber sheet is specifically formulated for oil and fuel resistance — the preferred specification wherever petroleum products, mineral oils, greases, or vegetable oils are present. Available in black (industrial) and blue/white (FDA-approved food-quality). Shore hardness 40–80A. Temperature range -30°C to +100°C.
Best applications: Automotive workshops (bench protection, floor mats), food processing (anti-fatigue mats, worktop lining), engineering seals and gaskets in oily environments. Nitrile will be degraded by aromatic solvents, ketones, and strong oxidising acids.
Insertion Rubber Sheet
Insertion rubber sheet incorporates a fabric reinforcement layer (typically cotton or nylon) within the rubber matrix, providing significantly improved dimensional stability, pressure resistance, and reduced stretch under load. Commonly specified for high-pressure gaskets, packing pieces, and seals where standard rubber sheet would deform under bolt loading. Available in SBR and EPDM compounds, 1.8–12mm thickness.
Best applications: Flange gaskets, pump packing, high-pressure seals, sheet metal protection during forming operations.
Common Questions About Rubber Sheet
What is rubber sheet used for?
Rubber sheet is used for gaskets and seals, floor matting and anti-fatigue surfaces, acoustic underlay for buildings, work surface and bench protection, vibration isolation beneath machinery, vehicle and trailer lining, pond and roof membranes (EPDM), and protective wear liners in industrial equipment. Compound choice determines which environment it can handle.
What is the difference between SBR and EPDM rubber sheet?
SBR rubber sheet is a cost-effective general-purpose compound for indoor use — suitable for flooring, gaskets, and seals. EPDM rubber sheet is engineered for outdoor environments: UV-stable, ozone-resistant, and weatherproof, performing reliably from -40°C to +120°C. EPDM is the correct specification for roofing, pond liners, and exterior weatherproofing applications.
Can rubber sheet be cut to any size?
Yes. All Rubberco rubber sheet is sold by the linear metre from 1.4m wide rolls and cut in-house before dispatch. There is no minimum order — you can order as little as 0.5 linear metres. Custom widths and complex shapes (gasket blanks, strips) are available on request for larger orders.
What thickness rubber sheet do I need for gaskets?
For most flanged gasket applications, 1.5–3mm rubber sheet is standard. Softer compounds (40–50 Shore A) compress more readily to fill surface imperfections. For high-pressure applications requiring maximum dimensional stability, use 3–6mm insertion rubber sheet which resists extrusion under bolt loading.
Is nitrile rubber sheet food safe?
Standard black nitrile rubber sheet is NOT food safe. Food-quality nitrile rubber sheet — typically blue or white — is manufactured to comply with EC Regulation 1935/2004 and FDA requirements for food contact materials. Always specify food-quality grade for any application involving direct or indirect food contact.
Rubber Sheet UK — The Definitive Technical Compound Guide
Rubber sheet is the most technically nuanced product category in the rubber supply market. Getting the compound wrong doesn't just result in early replacement — in safety-critical applications (bund lining, electrical insulation, food-contact sealing), the wrong compound specification can create legal liability, regulatory non-compliance, and genuine physical hazard. This guide is written for engineers, procurement specialists, and facilities managers who need to specify the right compound for their application.
Deep Dive: Five Major Rubber Sheet Compounds
1. SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) — The General Purpose Standard
SBR is the most widely specified rubber sheet compound for general industrial use — it represents approximately 60% of all rubber matting and sheet sold in the UK by volume. Its specification characteristics make it appropriate for a wide range of applications but unsuitable for others:
Properties: Good tensile strength (10–15 MPa), excellent abrasion resistance, good water resistance, broad temperature range (−40°C to +80°C for standard grades). SBR is flexible and resilient, recovering well from deformation.
Where SBR excels: General flooring, walkway matting, entrance matting, drainage applications, surface protection. Where contamination is water-based and no petroleum oil, fuel, or strong solvent contact occurs, SBR provides excellent cost-effective performance.
Where SBR fails: Any petroleum oil contact. SBR's butadiene chain is soluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons — even intermittent oil exposure causes progressive swelling, softening, and eventual structural failure. Do not use SBR in vehicle workshops, machinery lubrication zones, or bunds containing petroleum products. The visible sign of SBR failure in oil contact is surface blistering and a characteristic "spongy" texture in previously firm rubber.
2. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) — The Outdoor and Chemical Specialist
EPDM is the compound of choice for outdoor applications, water contact, and resistance to polar chemicals (acids, alkalis, ketones). Its saturated polymer backbone — unlike the unsaturated chains of natural rubber and SBR — provides inherent resistance to ozone and UV attack that makes it unique among commonly available rubber compounds.
Properties: Outstanding UV and ozone resistance (no surface cracking after years of outdoor exposure), excellent water and steam resistance, wide temperature range (−50°C to +130°C for standard grades, to +150°C for peroxide-cured grades), good resistance to dilute acids and alkalis.
Where EPDM excels: Flat roof membrane systems (the UK roofing industry standard), outdoor drainage matting, pool surrounds and wet leisure, agricultural and aquaculture applications, pond lining systems, steam service gaskets, automotive weather seals.
Where EPDM fails: Any petroleum oil contact (EPDM has poor oil resistance — similar to SBR). Aromatic solvents and halogenated solvents cause EPDM to swell. Not suitable for fuel system sealing, hydraulic fluid contact, or petroleum storage applications.
3. Nitrile (NBR) — The Oil Resistance Specialist
Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber) exists because of the automotive and engineering demand for a rubber that resists petroleum oils — something neither natural rubber, SBR, nor EPDM can do. The acrylonitrile content of the polymer chain determines the oil resistance: higher ACN content (36–42%) provides maximum oil resistance at the cost of low-temperature flexibility; lower ACN content (18–25%) provides better cold-weather performance with reduced oil resistance. Most general-purpose nitrile sheet in the UK market is 33–36% ACN — a reasonable balance for most applications.
Properties: Excellent mineral oil and fuel resistance, good water and dilute acid resistance, moderate weather resistance (better than SBR, much worse than EPDM), temperature range −30°C to +120°C for standard grades.
Where NBR excels: Automotive workshop flooring and gaskets, hydraulic system seals, fuel-resistant bund lining, oil-contact machinery bases, printing industry (resistance to inks and roller wash), food-grade applications when FDA-compliant grade specified.
Where NBR fails: Outdoor/UV exposure (ozone cracks nitrile rapidly), aromatic hydrocarbon contact (benzene, toluene — use neoprene instead), high-temperature steam applications.
4. Neoprene (CR/Polychloroprene) — The Balanced Specialist
Neoprene occupies the middle ground between oil resistance and weather resistance — moderate performance in both rather than excellence in either. Its chlorine-modified polymer backbone provides inherent fire retardance (self-extinguishing in most formulations), making it the standard specification for rail, tunnel, and fire-rated applications.
Properties: Good oil resistance (not as high as NBR), good weather and ozone resistance (not as high as EPDM), inherent fire retardance, good mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, temperature range −35°C to +100°C.
Where Neoprene excels: Marine applications (combines seawater resistance with moderate oil resistance), bridge bearing pads and structural engineering (excellent compressive load performance), rail and tunnel applications requiring fire retardance (BS 6853, EN 45545 grades available), transformer room gaskets where both oil resistance and fire performance are required.
5. Silicone — The Temperature and Food Contact Specialist
Silicone rubber occupies a unique position in rubber specification — it provides temperature performance (−60°C to +230°C for standard grades, to +300°C for speciality grades) that no other elastomer approaches, combined with FDA food-contact approval and remarkable chemical purity. It is also the most expensive commonly available rubber compound by a significant margin.
Properties: Widest temperature range of any elastomer, excellent electrical insulation, FDA food-contact approved, physiologically inert, good ozone and UV resistance, very low compression set (excellent for sustained gasket applications).
Where Silicone excels: Food contact gaskets, seals, and tubing; high-temperature oven seals and door gaskets; electrical insulation in high-temperature environments; medical device sealing; pharmaceutical gaskets requiring high chemical purity.
Where Silicone fails: Oil and fuel resistance (poor — silicone swells in hydrocarbons), mechanical abrasion (much lower tear resistance than SBR or nitrile), cost (4–8× the price of SBR for equivalent specification).
Rubber Sheet Thickness Selection Guide
| Thickness | Application Category | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5mm–2mm | Thin sealing and lining | Diaphragm seals, valve seats, fine gaskets |
| 3mm–6mm | Standard gasket and seal | Flanged pipe gaskets, pump housing gaskets, light bund lining |
| 6mm–10mm | Heavy gasket and light matting | High-pressure gaskets, anti-vibration pads, light floor protection |
| 10mm–15mm | Medium-duty matting and isolation | Machine base isolation, walkway protection, anti-fatigue |
| 15mm–25mm | Heavy-duty isolation | Heavy machinery bases, bridge bearing pads, impact protection |
Rubber Sheet vs Rubber Matting — Understanding the Terminology
In the UK rubber supply market, "rubber sheet" and "rubber matting" are often used interchangeably, which creates confusion. The practical distinction is:
- Rubber sheet: Products used primarily for non-flooring applications — gasket cutting, bund lining, surface protection, engineering seals. Typically cut from wide rolls (1m–2m wide) in thicknesses from 0.5mm to 25mm. Surface finish is usually smooth or lightly embossed on one side.
- Rubber matting: Products used as flooring — walkways, entrance areas, anti-fatigue stations. Surface finish is typically profiled (ribbed, studded, diamond) for anti-slip performance. Thicknesses typically 3mm–25mm depending on application.
The compound, thickness, and surface finish requirements differ between sheet and matting applications — but the underlying material is the same rubber compounded from the same polymer family. Rubberco stocks both categories from the same manufacturing source, allowing compound matching between gasket materials and floor matting in the same application (an important consideration in food production where all rubber-contact materials must carry the same compound certification).
📖 Further Reading — Rubber Sheet Guides
- SBR Rubber Sheet UK: Properties, Grades & Applications — Complete 2026
- Rubber Sheeting UK — Complete Compound Guide: SBR, EPDM, Nitrile, Neop
- Nitrile Rubber Sheet UK: Complete 2026 Guide — Properties, Grades & Ap
- Neoprene Rubber Sheet UK: Complete 2026 Guide to Properties, Grades &
- EPDM Rubber Sheet UK: Properties, Uses & Where to Buy (2026 Guide)
