Laboratory Sheet, Rubber

Quick Answer: The Laboratory Sheet, Rubber is a plain, flat rubber sheet supplied as material to be cut and used where needed. A laboratory rubber sheet is turned into gaskets, washers, anti-slip pads and liners, or laid flat as a cushioned surface.

Sheet as Raw Material

Unlike a finished mat, a sheet is stock: technicians cut from it whatever the lab needs. Typical jobs include flat gaskets for a desiccator lid or a vacuum plate, washers under clamps so they grip glass without cracking it, pads under apparatus feet, and liners for drawers and trays. A smooth, even sheet also makes a steady cushioned base where a ribbed surface would let small items tip.

The rubber compound decides where the sheet can go. General-purpose rubber suits water, air and dilute aqueous solutions; oils, solvents, heat and ozone call for neoprene, nitrile or silicone sheet instead. The compound and thickness are not stated in the listing, so they should be settled before the sheet is used for any heat or chemical duty.

For a ready-made bench surface, the rubber laboratory mat is simpler, and the corrugated rubber sheet adds ribs for grip and drainage.

Applications

• Cutting flat gaskets for desiccator lids, vacuum plates and apparatus covers
• Making washers and jaw pads so clamps grip glassware gently
• Pads under the feet of pumps, shakers or small instruments
• Lining drawers, trays and shelves where glassware is stored

Specifications

Cutting & Care

• Cut with a sharp knife against a straight edge, or with heavy scissors for thin sheet; a hollow punch gives clean holes for washers.
• Draw shapes with a fine marker or template before cutting, allowing a little extra for compression in gaskets.
• Store sheet flat or loosely rolled, out of sunlight and away from motors.
• Match the compound to the duty: keep general rubber away from oils, solvents and heat.

Why Choose LabEquip

Rubber sheet is a staple for lab technicians, workshop staff and maintenance teams who make their own seals and pads. LabEquip lists it in the General Lab Products range; share the thickness and area needed on the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What thickness of rubber sheet should I choose?

Thin sheet suits washers, drawer liners and gaskets between flat, smooth faces. Thicker sheet cushions better and seals uneven surfaces, but is harder to cut. Choose by the gap to be sealed or the load to be carried.

How do I cut a gasket from rubber sheet?

Trace the part onto the sheet, cut the outline with a sharp knife against a straight edge or with scissors, and punch bolt or tube holes with a hollow punch. Clean, continuous cuts seal better than ragged ones.

Can the sheet be used as a hot plate mat?

General rubber is not heat-resistant and will soften or scorch. Only a sheet made and rated for heat, such as a suitable silicone grade, should be used near hot equipment.

Is rubber sheet oil resistant?

Natural and general-purpose rubber swell in oils and greases. For oily duties, nitrile or neoprene sheet is the usual choice.

Can rubber sheet seal a vacuum desiccator?

A flat rubber gasket can seal a desiccator lid or plate if the faces are clean and flat. A thin film of vacuum grease on ground-glass rims is still the standard seal for glass desiccators.

How long does rubber sheet keep in storage?

Stored flat or loosely rolled in a cool, dark place, away from ozone from motors, it keeps for a long time. Sunlight and heat make it hard and brittle at the surface.

Last Updated: September 2026