When it comes to performance-critical components like gaskets, filters, and inserts, material selection is everything. At Dott Products, we work with a wide range of industrial substrates—helping customers choose the right material for their specific sealing, filtering, or cushioning needs. In this post, we’ll break down three of the most common materials we convert: foam, felt, and nonwovens.
Material Types Overview
Foam: Flexible, lightweight, and available in a variety of open- and closed-cell configurations, foam is widely used in gasketing, insulation, and packaging applications. Urethane, polyurethane, polyethylene, and EVA foams each offer unique compression, rebound, and resistance properties.
Felt: Known for its durability and density, felt is often used in noise dampening, vibration control, and filtration. Industrial felt can be made from natural fibers like wool or synthetic blends and offers excellent wear resistance in high-friction environments.
Nonwoven Materials: Made by bonding fibers together through chemical, mechanical, or thermal processes, nonwovens offer uniformity and flexibility. These materials are especially common in air and liquid filtration, medical components, and disposable consumer products.
Choosing Based on Application
The key to successful material selection is aligning your choice with the function of the part:
- Sealing: Closed-cell foam offers excellent resistance to moisture and air penetration.
- Filtering: Nonwoven polyester or carbon-impregnated media are ideal for filtration systems in aquatic, HVAC, or medical devices.
- Cushioning/Packaging: Polyurethane foam and felt inserts help protect fragile products in transit.
- Insulation or Sound Dampening: Felt and foam materials are commonly used in industrial, automotive, or appliance applications to reduce vibration and sound.
Beyond just fit and function, selecting the right material also means considering the environment your component will face. Factors like temperature extremes, exposure to chemicals or moisture, UV resistance, and longevity under repeated stress all influence the best choice. For example, closed-cell foams resist water absorption and maintain cushioning in wet environments, making them ideal for aquatic filtration or outdoor gasketing. Meanwhile, nonwovens can be engineered for breathability and filtration efficiency in medical or HVAC applications. At Dott Products, our material experts guide you through these considerations to ensure your components perform reliably in real-world conditions.
Custom Converting Makes It Work
At Dott, we don’t just supply the material—we custom cut, laminate, and package it to meet your exact requirements. Our in-house converting services ensure you receive parts that are ready to use, precisely shaped, and optimized for your production process. Whether you’re prototyping or scaling to full production, we help you choose materials that align with performance, price, and production goals.
Looking for help selecting the right material for your next job? Contact the Dott Products team today to get started.
Dott Products is the place to go when you need premium quality foam, non-woven, and plastic products including standard and custom projects.
