Felt gaskets for dust sealing, damping and anti-rattle
- Die cut from SAE wool felt or needle-punched polyester felt.
- Any flat shape, with holes, slots and notches.
- Plain or adhesive-backed, from 100 pieces.
Felt gaskets are flat die-cut felt parts that fill the gap between two fixed surfaces. They block dust and light splash, absorb vibration and stop rattles and squeaks. Feltrova cuts felt gaskets from SAE wool or polyester felt to your drawing, with optional adhesive backing, from 100 pieces.
When is felt the right gasket material?
A felt gasket suits gaps that move a little and hold no pressure.
A felt gasket absorbs small movements between surfaces that would otherwise cause rattles and squeaks, and because it stops vibration it also works as a sound-deadening layer. Wool felt resists oils up to about 200°F (93°C) and does not fray at cut edges the way woven fabric does.
- Dust gaskets on covers, panels and enclosures
- Anti-rattle pads between metal and plastic trim
- Vibration pads under motors and small pumps
- Light splash and oil mist barriers
Felt keeps doing this job after repeated use. SAE wool felt recovers 99% of its thickness within one minute after a 10% compression, so a felt gasket goes on filling the gap each time a cover is opened and closed.
Felt or rubber gasket: which one fits?
Gaskets fall into three broad families: non-metallic, semi-metallic and metallic. Felt, like rubber and cork, is a non-metallic gasket material, made for dust, vibration and low pressure rather than steam or high-pressure fluid.
| Need | Felt gasket | Rubber gasket |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid under pressure | No | Yes |
| Dust, rattle, vibration | Very good | Fair |
| Holding oil at the joint | Yes, absorbs and retains | No |
What shapes can you cut?
A die-cut felt gasket can take any flat profile that fits on a felt sheet. Holes, slots, notches and tabs are cut in the same stroke, so they line up with the outline every time.
Which felt makes the best gasket?
Softer SAE grades such as F-10 to F-15 compress easily and fill uneven gaps, which is what most anti-rattle gaskets need. Dust gaskets that are opened often last longer in F-5 or F-7. Polyester felt is the synthetic option. It costs less, copes better with damp, resists mildew and organic acids, and runs continuously at up to 300°F (149°C). Choose wool where oil is present and synthetic felt where damp, mildew or acids are the risk. The SAE felt grades guide compares them side by side. Buyers also call this sheet stock felt packing or felt gasket material.
Gaskets inside a vehicle cabin must also pass a flammability test. The page on automotive felt parts and FMVSS 302 covers what that means for felt.
For rings on a turning shaft, see felt seals for bearings. Pads, strips and blocks that are not gaskets come under custom felt pads and strips.
Felt gasket FAQ
Are felt gaskets good?
Yes, for gaps that hold no pressure. Felt blocks dust, damps vibration and stops rattles, and it recovers after each compression. For liquid under pressure, use rubber.
Can felt gaskets seal water?
Not under pressure. Felt blocks splash and mist but wicks liquid, so use rubber or foam for watertight joints.
Can a felt gasket have adhesive on one side?
Yes. Adhesive is laminated to the felt before cutting, so the gasket peels off a liner and sticks in place.
How thick can a felt gasket be?
From thin sheets under 1mm up to about 25mm (1in). Thick gaskets are CNC knife cut for clean walls.
How much do felt gaskets cost?
It depends on felt grade, size, quantity and any adhesive backing. Send a drawing or a sample and we reply with a price within one working day. Sample charges vary by part and are set out in the quote. The minimum order is 100 pieces per part.
Get felt gaskets quoted
Send the drawing, thickness and quantity. Samples ship in three days.