What is CR Sponge Rubber?

CR Sponge Rubber, also known as Neoprene Sponge, is an elastomeric foam based on chloroprene rubber (CR). It offers an excellent balance of mechanical strength together with good resistance to weathering, ozone, ageing and many oils.

Depending on the application, CR sponge rubber is available in open-cell or closed-cell structures. For technical sealing applications, closed-cell grades are predominantly used because they provide low water absorption and excellent sealing performance.

Thanks to its versatility, CR sponge rubber is widely used in industrial applications where durability, reliability and good mechanical properties are required.

Properties

• Temperature resistance from approximately -35 °C to +100 °C
• Available in open-cell or closed-cell structures
• Good resistance to weathering, ozone and UV radiation
• Good resistance to oils, greases and many chemicals
• Good mechanical strength
• Good abrasion resistance
• Good cushioning and insulation properties
• Good flame resistance
• Long service life in demanding environments

Typical applications

CR sponge rubber is commonly used for:

• Industrial seals
• Enclosure seals
• Automotive seals
• Marine and offshore applications
• Mechanical engineering
• Vibration dampers
• Sound insulation
• Cable protection
• Technical moulded parts

Typical industries include:

• Mechanical engineering
• Automotive industry
• Marine industry
• Electrical industry
• Construction industry
• Industrial equipment

Limitations

CR sponge rubber has limited resistance to aromatic and chlorinated solvents as well as strong oxidising agents. For continuous exposure to fuels or highly aggressive chemicals, materials such as NBR, FKM or FFKM are often more suitable.