Natural Rubber Washers

Q: Is natural rubber good for sealing water?

Yes for general water contact and plumbing repairs. For continuous chlorinated or hot-water service, EPDM lasts longer.

Q: Natural rubber vs neoprene washers - which should I use?

Natural rubber is softer and better at vibration and abrasion; neoprene resists weather and oil better. Cushioning jobs favor natural rubber, general outdoor sealing favors neoprene.

Q: Why does natural rubber crack outdoors?

Ozone attacks natural rubber's unsaturated polymer backbone. Indoors it lasts years; outdoors, EPDM is the durable choice.

(1747 products)

Shop natural rubber washers in every OD, ID and thickness we stock. Natural Rubber is high elasticity and excellent abrasion resistance — making it the go-to choice for vibration dampening, impact absorption and general mechanical sealing. Rated for −40°F to 180°F. Fast shipping and bulk pricing on every order.

Not sure if Natural Rubber is right for your job? Read our Natural Rubber material guide for a full compound comparison, or compare all 7 washer materials side by side. New to washer sizing? See how to measure OD, ID & thickness, then shop the full catalog.

Popular Natural Rubber uses: plumbing and automotive.

Natural rubber washer properties

Property	Rating
Temperature range	−40°F to 180°F
Elasticity / rebound	Excellent — the best of any washer rubber
Abrasion & tear resistance	Excellent
Water	Good
Oil, fuel & ozone	Poor — keep away from petroleum and direct sun
Typical hardness	40–60 Shore A — softest common washer rubber (durometer guide)

Built for vibration, impact and imperfect surfaces

Natural (gum) rubber has the highest resilience of any washer material — it snaps back instead of taking a set, which makes it the pick for vibration isolation under motors, pumps, compressors and appliance feet, and for cushioning between metal hardware and fragile surfaces like glass, tile and fiberglass. Its softness (40–60A) also lets it seal rough, worn or corroded faces that firmer rubbers bridge over. Thick natural rubber washers — we stock 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" thicknesses in every diameter — do double duty as vibration mounts and spacers. Limits: petroleum, ozone and sustained sun degrade it; move to nitrile for oil or EPDM for outdoor service.

Natural rubber washer FAQ

What are thick rubber washers used for?

Vibration damping, spacing, bridging uneven surfaces and absorbing impact — 1/4" to 1/2" thick washers compress enough to isolate machinery while filling gaps a thin washer can't.

Is natural rubber good for sealing water?

Yes for general water contact and plumbing repairs; for continuous chlorinated or hot-water service EPDM lasts longer.

Natural rubber vs neoprene washers?

Natural rubber is softer, bouncier and better at vibration and abrasion; neoprene resists weather and oil better. Cushioning job → natural rubber; general outdoor sealing → neoprene.