When a seal needs to be soft, compressible, and reliable under light pressure, latex washers are the material of choice. At Stephens Gaskets, as a specialist latex washers supplier, we manufacture and supply washers designed for sensitive applications – where flexibility, elasticity, and sealing ability are essential.
Whether you’re working in the medical sector, light-duty industrial systems, or prototyping consumer products, latex delivers performance where stiffer materials fall short. In this guide, we explore the benefits of latex washers, their typical uses, and why they’re ideal rubber sealing washers for low-pressure applications.
What Are Latex Washers?
Latex washers are soft, rubber-like sealing components made from natural or synthetic latex materials. Their defining feature is high elasticity, allowing them to deform under low pressure and return to shape after compression. This makes them ideal as soft compression washers where resilience and flexibility are key.
They’re often used to:
- Create a low-pressure airtight or watertight seal
- Provide cushioning between parts
- Absorb light vibration
- Protect fragile components in sensitive assemblies
Available in various thicknesses and hardness grades, latex washers are a reliable solution where standard rubber or rigid materials may fail.
Key Benefits of Latex Washers
1. Excellent Flexibility
Latex is one of the most elastic natural materials. It offers high elongation and recovery, even in thin sections.
2. Soft Compression Sealing
Ideal for applications that require a soft, forgiving seal. Latex washers deform under minimal pressure, sealing gaps without overloading adjacent parts.
3. Good Tear and Abrasion Resistance
Despite their softness, latex washers maintain integrity under frequent movement, making them suitable for dynamic components in light-duty use.
4. Biocompatibility
Natural latex is used in a wide range of medical and laboratory environments, thanks to its non-reactive and skin-friendly properties (unless allergies are a concern).
Common Applications for Latex Washers
As a trusted latex washers supplier, Stephens Gaskets provides solutions across industries including:
- Medical devices and equipment
- Laboratory instruments
- Consumer electronics and enclosures
- Water filtration systems
- Precision tooling and jigs
- Packaging machinery and soft seals
In these settings, washers often act as rubber sealing washers or shock absorbers – sealing low-pressure joints and protecting components from vibration or movement.
Standard & Custom Options Available
We supply both stock sizes and fully custom latex washers, including:
- Thicknesses from 0.5mm to 5mm
- Custom OD and ID configurations
- Flat, slotted, and shaped washers
- Available in natural or synthetic latex
- Softness grades tailored to your application
Need a prototype or bulk order? Our in-house manufacturing allows us to produce soft compression washers in any volume, with fast UK-wide turnaround.
Learn more about the washer itself or view our full selection of rubber sealing washers.
Why Choose Stephens Gaskets?
With over 70 years in washer manufacturing, Stephens Gaskets is a leading latex washers supplier to the medical, industrial, and OEM markets.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- UK-based production with rapid lead times
- Custom design and prototyping support
- ISO 9001-certified processes
- Latex, rubber, and synthetic elastomer expertise
- Flexible supply for one-offs or large batches
We understand the unique demands of sensitive and soft-seal applications – and our washers are designed to meet them with confidence.
When to Specify Latex Washers
Choose latex washers when your application requires:
- Low-pressure sealing without damaging mating parts
- High flexibility and compressibility
- Soft cushioning for delicate or movable components
- Vibration damping in light-duty mechanical systems
- An eco-conscious alternative to synthetic rubbers (with natural latex)
And when your design calls for something unique, we can manufacture custom latex washers to match your needs exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are latex washers suitable for high-pressure systems?
No. Latex washers are ideal for low-pressure environments where flexibility and softness are key. For high-pressure, we recommend nitrile, EPDM, or PTFE alternatives.
2. Can I use latex washers in medical equipment?
Yes – natural latex is commonly used in non-invasive medical devices, though synthetic latex may be preferred to avoid allergy risks.
3. Are they suitable for water applications?
Yes. Latex provides a good water seal in low-pressure systems, such as small filters, valves, or taps.
4. Can I buy latex washers UK-wide?
Absolutely. Stephens Gaskets supplies latex washers to customers across the UK, with fast delivery on both standard and custom orders.
Final Thoughts: A Soft Yet Strong Sealing Solution
Latex washers offer a unique combination of softness, elasticity, and sealing performance – making them invaluable in industries where low pressure and flexibility are essential. Whether you need a small, simple gasket or a bespoke solution for a complex assembly, Stephens Gaskets can deliver.
As your trusted latex washers supplier, we’re committed to providing reliable, high-quality components with service and support you can count on.