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Rolling Stock Networking: Connect with CB Frost at RSN 2026

At CB Frost & Co, we don’t believe in waiting around when a great opportunity knocks. That is exactly why...

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Why Choosing the Right EN45545 Gasket is Critical for Rail Industry Safety

In the modern rail industry passenger safety dictates every phase of vehicle design, engineering, and manufacturing. Major structural components, advanced...

Sponge

Sponge

An Introduction to CB Frost’s Sponge Rubber

As a market leader in supplying sponge, foam, and rubber materials for a wide range of industrial sectors, CB Frost are committed to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation. Here at CB Frost we supply a wide array of sponge rubber products: Neoprene, EPDM, PVC, General Purpose Silicone, Semi-Closed Cell EPDM, CBF Sil V0 Silicone, LSLT (Low Smoke Low Toxicity) Neoprene.

What is Sponge Rubber?

Sponge rubber is made of neoprene, EPDM, nitrile, silicone, and many other elastomeric materials. Often, sponge rubber profiles are fabricated into finished gaskets that are used for shock absorption and provide good compression and recovery.

Why use Sponge Rubber?

Sponge rubber is a commonly used gasket material that can be specified for a range of applications, including low pressure pipe seals and weather strips. It is also used in radiators, garden and appliance hose, tubing, pond liners, washers, solar panel heat collectors and speaker cone surrounds. It is also commonly used in vehicles, notably in door and window seals.

Advantages of Sponge Rubber?

Sponge rubber has many advantages including good UV resistance, durability for cost, good mechanical properties, a wide temperature range, outstanding weather resistance and strong durability.

Disadvantages of Sponge Rubber?

Sponge rubber has disadvantages including its sturdiness and lifespan when compared to non-biodegradable materials.

Our lightweight CBF Sil-V0 silicone sponge is fully closed cell and has been formulated to improve fire, smoke and safety for the rail industry.

CBF Sil-V0 is compliant with the European fire safety standard EN45545-2 for rail vehicles (more information can be found in the table below). CBF Sil-V0 can be supplied as extruded sponge profiles. Typical applications include LED lighting, door seals, gap fillers, LCD gaskets and HVAC.

no Download CBF Sil V0 - soft meduim
CBF-Sil V0 Silicone Sponge Thicknesses
2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm As Standard
Fire Classification
EN45545-2
R22 – Interior Seals HL3
R23 – Exterior Seals HL3
UL 94 V-0
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: Silicone
Structure: Closed Cell
Colour: Grey
Density: 300 kg/m3 (Soft-Medium)
Temp: -60/+230 °C

General Characteristics:

Test Result Standard
Brittle Point -80°C (-112 °F) ASTM D746
Volume Resistivity 3.89 x 10¹⁴ ASTM D257
Dielectric Strength 6.06 kV/mm ASTM D 149

Mechanical Properties:

Property Units CBF Sil V-0
Soft-Medium
Test Method
Density (*Measured on
12.7mm sheet)
Kg/m⁻³
lb.ft⁻³
300
19.4
ISO 845
ASTM D1056
Compression Force
Deflection 25% strain
kPa
psi
40
5.8
ASTM D1056
Compression Force
Deflection 40% strain
kPa
psi
90
13
ISO 3386 part 1, 2
Tensile Strength kPa
psi
304
44
ISO 1798
ASTM D412
Elongation at failure % 90 ISO 1798
ASTM D412
Compression Set
50% compression
24 hours recovery.
22 hours @ 70 °C (158°F)
% <1 ISO 1856
22 hours @ 100°C (212 °F) % 3 ASTM D1056
Thermal conductivity W/m.K 0.099 DIN EN993-15
Water Absorption % <1 ASTM D1056

Standard Capabilities *Other sizes available on request

Thickness mm (inches) Width mm (inches) Length M (ft)
2mm – 12mm (0.078″-0.472″) 1000mm (39″) 5m (16.5ft)
>12mm – 15mm (>0.472″-0.590″) 1000mm (39″) 5m (16.5ft)
>15mm – 25mm (>0.590 – 1.0″) 1000mm (39″) 1m (3.2ft)
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Cord

Fabrication

Extrusion

General purpose closed cell silicone sponge delivers high performance and long-life span in extreme Ozone/UV environments

General purpose closed cell silicone sponge delivers high performance and long-life span in extreme Ozone/UV environments and has a wide temperature range from -60°C to 230°C, which makes it the ideal material choice in applications where environmental conditions are unstable or volatile.

Our closed cell silicone sponge can be widely used as gaskets and seals in outdoor and indoor applications, i.e. HVAC units, lighting systems and electrical enclosures.

Availability

  • Sheeting supplied in rolls up to 1000mm wide or individual sheets of 1 meter x 2 meters
  • Pressure sensitive adhesive backing
  • Punched and Water Jet gaskets
  • Standard Colours – White, Black, Red Iron Oxide (RIO)

Typical Applications

  • Automotive, Electronics, Energy, Construction, Heating & Ventilation (HVAC), Industrial, Insulations, Lighting and Marine.
no DownloadCF19 - GP Datasheet
Silicone Sponge Thicknesses
1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm 10mm And 12mm As Standard
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: Silicone
Structure: Closed Cell
Colour: White/Black/Red Iron Oxide (RIO)
Density: 250 kg/m3
Temp: -60/+230 °C

Physical

PROPERTY UNITS GP200 GP250 GP350 GP400 GP450 GP530 TEST METHOD
Density kg/m³
lb.ft⁻³
180
11.2
235
14.6
300
18.7
400
25.0
440
27.5
515
32.0
ISO 845
ASTM D1056
Hardness Shore 00
Shore A
35 ±5
<5
40 ±5
5
50 ±5
13
65 ±5
17
70 ±5
24
80 ±5
30
ASTM D2240
Compression Stress
40% strain
Compression Stress
25% strain
kPa

psi

50

3.0

80

5.0

105

7.0

165

11.0

220

14.5

380

25.0

ISO 3386
ASTM D1056
Tensile Strength MPa
psi
0.6
87
0.6
87
0.75
108
0.75
108
1.5
217
2.0
290
ISO 1798
ASTM D412
Elongation to
failure
% 140 145 120 120 130 130 ISO 1798
ASTM D412
Compression Set
50% compression
24hrs recovery
22hrs @ 70°C
(158°F)
% 14.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 ISO 1856
22hrs @ 100°C
(212°F)
% 36.0 12.0 5.0 4.0 2.0 2.0 ASTM D1056
Water absorption <5% <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 2 ASTM D1056

General Characteristics

Test Typical Value Standard
Value 1 Value 2 Value 3 Value 4 Value 5 Value 6
Brittle Point -80°C
(112°F)
-80°C
(112°F)
-80°C
(112°F)
-80°C
(112°F)
-80°C
(112°F)
-80°C
(112°F)
ASTM D746
Limiting Oxygen Index 24% 24% 24% 24% 24% 24% BS 2782 Part 1
Thermal Conductivity 0.064
W.m-
1.K-1
0.070
W.m-
1.K-1
0.078
W.m-
1.K-1
0.095
W.m-
1.K-1
0.102
W.m-
1.K-1
0.117
W.m-
1.K-1
BS 874 Part 2
Radiation Resistance >10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
>10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
>10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
>10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
>10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
>10⁵
Grays
(107 Rads)
typical
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Cord

Fabrication

Extrusion

Neoprene sponge is a closed cell synthetic rubber with similar properties to EPDM and Natural sponge in terms of its resilience and resistance to abrasion.

Due to its chemical inertness, it is a well-suited material for industrial applications such as being made into gaskets for protection against dust and moisture.

Neoprene sponges have good resistance to oils, whereas resistance to petrol and other hydrocarbons is more moderate. Depending on the grade of material, Neoprene sponge can withstand temperatures of as low as -40˚C and as high as 75˚C.

no Download CF2 -1413 Datasheet
Neoprene Sponge Thicknesses
1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm And 40mm As Standard
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: CR
Structure: Closed Cell
Colour: Black
Density: 115-155 kg/m3
Temp: -40/+75 °C

Physical

Property Standard Value Unit
ASTM D1056-14 Classification 2C2 B3 M
Density ASTM D3575 115-155 Kg/m3
Compression Deflection (25%) ASTM 1056 20-40 kPa
Compression Deflection (50%) ASTM 1056 50-70 kPa
Compression Set (25%/22h/23°C)-After 24hrs ASTM 1056 2-4 %
Compression Set (50%/22h/23°C)-After 24hrs ASTM 1056 15-35 %
Shrinkage (22h/70°C) ASTM D573 8-12 %
Shore Hardness 40-45 00
Elongation ASTM D412 180-220 %
Temperature Range (Constant) -40/+75 °C
Temperature Range (intermittent) +90 °C
Water Absorption (Max Weight Change) ASTM D1056 1-3 %
Tensile Strength ASTM D412 480-530 kPa
Flame Resistance (>3mm) UL94 HF1 Pass
Environmental Protection CFC & HCFC FREE
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Cord

Fabrication

Extrusion

CB Frost now stock a closed cell pure Neoprene sponge (EN45545-2) to complement our range of fire safe materials.

LSLT (low smoke, low toxicity) Neoprene sponge is a fully closed cell and available in a selection of thicknesses, see table below.

LSLT Neoprene sponge has been formulated to comply with the European fire safety standard EN45545-2 for rail vehicles.

no Download LSLT Neoprene Sponge (EN45545-2) Datasheet
LSLT Neoprene Sponge (EN45545-2) Thicknesses
3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm ,12mm, 13mm, 15mm, 16mm, 18mm, 22mm And 25mm As Standard
Fire Classification
EN45545-2 (R22) HL1
EN45545-2 (R23) HL2
UL 94 HF-1
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: CR
Structure: Closed Cell
Colour: Black
Density: 140 kg/m3
Temp: -50ºC/+110ºC

Technical Data

TECHNICAL DATA TEST METHOD RESULTS
BASE CHLOROPRENE
Density ISO 845 140 +/- 30Kg/m3
Classification ASTM D1056-07
NFR 99211
2C2
3C 08 B3
Hardness Shore C
Shore 00
22 +/-5
55 +/-5
Compression deflection 25% ISO 3386 35 – 65 kPa
Compression deflection 50 % ISO 3386 80 – 160 kPa
Compression Set 50%, 24H, 23°C ISO 815-1 <25%
Tensile Strength ISO 1798 >300 kPa
Elongation to Break / Rupture ISO 1798 >155%
Water Absorption ISO 6916 <5%
Flammability UL 94 HF-1 (File n°: QMFZ2.E350291)
Fire – Smoke – Toxicity EN45545-2 HL1/HL2/HL3 with exception
(See results on page 2)
Smoke Opacity ASTM E 662 Pass
Gas Emission BSS 7239 Pass
Dielectric Rigidity NF ISO-EN-CEI
C26-225
>10482.2 kV/cm
(No breakdown at 5kV)
Ozone resistance ISO 1431-1 No Cracking
Resistance AIR + UV Good
Temperature range Constant
Intermittent
-50° +110°C
+120°C
Environmental Protection Recyclable
CFC & HCFC free
REACH – RoHS
IMDS available
Storage conditions To be stored in a well-ventilated place at room temperature

Summary of Results

Standard Parameter
(unit)
Maximum
/
Minimum
HL1 HL2 HL3 Obtained
results
Reached
HL
Test report
EN ISO
4589-2
OI (%) Min 28 28 32 30 HL1, HL2 P194920 –
DEC/2
EN SO
5659-2
25 kw/m2
Dsmax Max 600 300 150 46.3 HL1, HL2,
HL3
P194920 –
DEC/1
NF X70-100-1
NF X70-100-2
ITCPNL Max 1.2 0.9 0.75 0.99 HL1 P

Summary of Results

Standard Parameter
(unit)
Maximum
/
Minimum
HL1 HL2 HL3 Obtained
results
Reached
HL
Test report
EN ISO
4589-2
IO (%) Min 28 28 32 29.5 HL1, HL2 P194920 –
DEC/2
EN SO
5659-2
25 kw/m2
Dsmax Max 600 300 46.3 HL1, HL2,
HL3
P194920 –
DEC/1
NF X70-100-1
NF X70-100-2
ITCPNL Max 1.8 1.5 0.99 HL1, HL2,
HL3
P194920 –
DEC/3
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Fabrication

EPDM sponge (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a closed cell sponge material that is ideally suited for use in outdoor and automotive applications. The main properties of EPDM sponge are its excellent resistance to ozone, UV, and weathering, as well as its general resistance to abrasion.

With a temperature range of between -40°C and 80°C (depending on the grade of sponge), EPDM is ideal for use in sealing outdoor applications to give dust and moisture protection.

Whilst normally manufactured black, we can also produce EPDM sponge in white.

EPDM sponge is manufactured in block form in a wide range of different densities and specifications. In stock we hold a range of thicknesses from 1.5mm to 30mm, in 10Mtr long x 1Mtr wide rolls (subject to thickness) ready for use in a wide range of applications

no Download CF3 - 2010 Datasheet
EPDM Sponge Thicknesses
1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm 10mm ,12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm And 30mm As Standard
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: EPDM
Structure: Closed Cell
Colour: Black
Density: 100-140 kg/m3
Temp: -40/+80 °C

Physical

Property Standard Value Unit
ASTM D1056-14 Classification 2A2 B3 M
Density ASTM D3575 100-140 Kg/m3
Compression Deflection (25%) ASTM 1056 30-50 kPa
Compression Deflection (50%) ASTM 1056 60-80 kPa
Compression Set (25%/22h/23°C)-After 24hrs ASTM 1056 7-11 %
Compression Set (50%/22h/23°C)-After 24hrs ASTM 1056 20-40 %
Shrinkage (22h/70°C) ASTM D573 10-15 %
Shore Hardness 35-40 00
Elongation ASTM D412 150-200 %
Temperature Range (Constant) -40/+80 °C
Temperature Range (intermittent)) +90 °C
Water Absorption (Max Weight Change) ASTM D1056 1-2 %
Tensile Strength ASTM D412 390-450 kPa
Environmental Protection CFC, Halogen &
HCFC Free
Flame Resistance (>3mm) FMVSS302 Pass
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Cord

Fabrication

Extrusion

PVC sponge is a low density closed cell sponge, 100-120kg/m3 available in two forms: slow or fast recovery.

Ideal applications for PVC closed cell sponge include saddles, expansion joints, desk pads and as insulation on panels.

no Download CF15 -812 Datasheet
PVC Sponge Thicknesses
3mm, 4mm, 5mm And 6mm As Standard
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: PVC
Structure: Closed Cell
Density: 100-120 kg/m3
Temp: -30/+60 °C
Property Unit Value Test Method
Density kgs/m3 100-125
Tensile Strength kpa >150 DIN 53571
Elongation at break % >120 DIN 53571
Tear Strength N/mm >0.7 DIN 53515
Compression Set % <20 DIN 53572
Compression Deflection kpa 0s 2-12
60s 2-7
ASTM 1667
Shore 00 Hardness 7-30
Water Absorption %
Compression Waterseal >90% U-TEST
Flammability mm/min <100
>6mm
FMVSS302
Temperature Range deg C -30 / +60
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Unlike standard EPDM sponge, Nitto EPDM super soft (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a semi closed cell sponge.

This means that it contains a mixture of both open and closed cells, giving the sponge the flexibility to compress more easily.

Due to the properties of Nitto EPDM super soft sponge and other EPDM materials, it is ideally suited for use in outdoor and automotive applications. Nitto EPDM semi closed cell sponge exhibits impressive ozone, UV, weather, and general resistance as well as withstanding a temperature range of between -40 ˚C and 135˚C.

Nitto EPDM super soft sponge is a model solution to sealing outdoor applications, to protect against dust and moisture.

no Download CF22 -EE1010 Datasheet
Nitto Semi-Closed EPDM Sponge Thicknesses
3mm, 5mm, 10mm, 20mm And 25mm As Standard
Specification Typical Values
Polymer: EPDM
Structure: Semi-Closed Cell
Colour: Black
Density: 95 kg/m3
Temp: -40/+135 °C

Physical

Test Test Method Unit Value
Thickness ISO 1923 mm 3 to 30mm
Density ISO 845 Kg/m3 95
Elongation JIS K 6767 % 430
Tensile Strength JIS K 6767 kPa 90
50% Compression load Nitro Europe test method kPa 5
Water absorption (50%) Nitro Europe test method % 3.1
Water tightness (75%) Nitro Europe U-shape method No leakage
Flammability (ref. 10mm) FMVSS 302 mm/min. < 100
Weatherability
(after 1080 hours, 63°C, 12mm./60mm, water spray, test performed on stretched foam elongated to 30%)
Sunshine weatherometer No cracks
Temperature Resistance Dimensional stability -40 to 135°C
Chemical Resistance
(acid 1%H2SO4, alkaline 1%NaOH)
Immersion at 20°C for 7 days Stable
Ozone Resistance
(75 ppm ozone, 40°C, 30 days, 20% elongated)
Visual inspection No cracks
Watertightness (65%) Nitto U-shape method No leakage
**Data as per our current stock grade
Overview:
Manufacturing Capabilities:

Gaskets

Strip

Washers

Sheeting

Fabrication

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