Find HS Code and trade information for rubber gasket

Rubber Gasket

A rubber gasket is a mechanical seal designed to maintain a leak-proof barrier between two mating surfaces, typically used in applications involving fluids or gases. It is fabricated from various rubber compounds, selected for their specific properties to suit the application's demands.

Material:

The most common materials include:

• Natural Rubber (NR): Excellent physical properties, good abrasion resistance, but limited resistance to oils, fuels, and weathering.
• Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR): Good abrasion and impact resistance, often used as a cost-effective alternative to NR.
• Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and hydraulic fluids. Widely used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM): Excellent resistance to heat, ozone, and weathering. Common in outdoor applications and automotive cooling systems.
• Silicone Rubber (VMQ): Excellent temperature resistance (both high and low), good flexibility, and resistance to weathering. Used in food processing, medical, and high-temperature applications.
• Fluorocarbon Rubber (FKM/Viton): Exceptional resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and oils. Used in demanding applications like aerospace and chemical processing.
• Neoprene (CR): Good resistance to weathering, ozone, and moderate oil resistance. Common in general-purpose applications.

Purpose:

• Prevent leakage of fluids or gases.
• Provide a seal against dust, dirt, and other contaminants.
• Reduce vibration and noise.
• Maintain pressure within a system.

Function:

Rubber gaskets function by deforming when compressed between two surfaces, filling any irregularities and creating a tight seal. The elasticity of the rubber allows it to conform to the mating surfaces, even if they are not perfectly smooth or flat. The compression force is critical for effective sealing; insufficient force results in leaks, while excessive force can damage the gasket or mating surfaces.

Usage Scenarios:

• Automotive: Engine gaskets (head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets), seals for fuel systems, coolant systems, and transmissions.
• Plumbing: Flange gaskets for pipes, seals for faucets and valves.
• Industrial Machinery: Seals for pumps, compressors, valves, and other equipment.
• HVAC: Seals for ductwork and air conditioning systems.
• Food Processing: Seals for tanks, pipes, and processing equipment (often using FDA-approved silicone rubber).
• Medical Devices: Seals for pumps, valves, and other equipment (often using medical-grade silicone rubber).

Common Types:

• Sheet Gasket: Cut to size and shape from a rubber sheet. Versatile for custom applications.
• O-Ring: A toroidal (donut-shaped) gasket. Simple, cost-effective, and widely used.
• Die-Cut Gasket: Cut to a specific shape using a die. Suitable for high-volume production.
• Flange Gasket: Designed to fit between two flanges. Available in various sizes and materials.
• Spiral Wound Gasket: Constructed from alternating layers of metal and rubber. Used in high-pressure, high-temperature applications.
• Envelope Gasket: A gasket with a rubber envelope surrounding a core material. Used in applications with moderate pressure and temperature.

Rubber gaskets can be categorized based on their material composition, manufacturing process, and application. The following HS codes may be relevant, depending on the specific characteristics of the rubber gasket:

• 4016931010: This code covers “Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber: Other: Gaskets, washers and other seals: Of a kind used in the automotive goods of chapter 87 O-Rings”. This specifically applies to O-rings used in automotive applications (Chapter 87). The total tax rate is 57.5%, comprising a basic tariff of 2.5% and an additional tariff of 25.0%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 4016935010: This code also covers “Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber: Other: Gaskets, washers and other seals: Other O-Rings”. This applies to O-rings not specifically used in automotive goods. The total tax rate is 57.5%, with a basic tariff of 2.5% and an additional tariff of 25.0%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 8484100000: This code covers “Gaskets and similar joints of metal sheeting combined with other material or of two or more layers of metal”. This applies to gaskets constructed from metal sheeting in combination with other materials. The total tax rate is 57.5%, consisting of a basic tariff of 2.5% and an additional tariff of 25.0%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 3926904510: This code covers “Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Gaskets, washers and other seals O-Rings”. This applies to O-rings made from plastics or other materials within headings 3901 to 3914. The total tax rate is 58.5%, comprising a basic tariff of 3.5% and an additional tariff of 25.0%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

Chapter Breakdown:

• 40: Rubber and articles thereof.
• 84: Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof.
• 39: Plastics and articles thereof.

Heading and Subheading Breakdown:

• 4016: Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber.
• 93: Other.
• 10 & 50: Specific classifications within "Other" based on application (automotive) or type (O-rings).
• 8484: Gaskets and similar joints.
• 10 & 90: Specific classifications within gaskets (metal sheeting combined with other material) or "Other".
• 3926: Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials.
• 90: Other.
• 45: Gaskets, washers and other seals.

It is important to determine the precise material composition and construction of the rubber gasket to select the most appropriate HS code.