Curtain Wall Gasket Supplier | Custom OEM Extrusion Factory

Overseas buyers sourcing a curtain wall gasket supplier need a factory that can quote from a DWG or DXF, hold ±0.15 mm on a dense EPDM profile, and ship FCL or LCL out of a Chinese port without tooling drama. This guide walks through the real numbers — material grades, MOQ, tooling cost, sample lead time, and export packing — from a factory that has run 100+ overseas custom extrusion projects.

What a Curtain Wall Gasket Supplier Actually Has to Deliver

A curtain wall gasket is not a generic window seal. It sits in a pressure-equalized rain screen, so the profile has to balance compression recovery, watertightness, and wind-load deflection over 20+ years of UV and thermal cycling. That combination drives everything: polymer matrix choice, durometer, vulcanization control, and extrusion tolerance.

The three failure modes buyers should spec against

1. Compression set — measured per ASTM D395 Method B, typically 22 h at 70°C. A good dense EPDM curtain wall profile returns under 25% set; cheaper compounds with high filler loading come back at 35–45% and leak within two seasons.
2. Thermal aging — ASTM D573, 70 h at 100°C. Tensile strength retention should stay above 80% of the original value; elongation retention above 70%.
3. Ozone cracking — ISO 1431-1 at 50 pphm, 40°C, 20% strain. Dynamic-exposed gaskets on high-rise facades need a compound that survives 100+ hours without surface cracks.

Profile geometry matters as much as the compound

Dense EPDM with a Shore A 65–70 durometer is the workhorse for pressure bars and heel beads. Sponge (cellular) EPDM at 0.55–0.75 g/cm³ handles the soft compression zone. Many curtain wall systems use a co-extruded dense/sponge combination in one pass — that requires a dual-head extruder and a single vulcanization line, which not every supplier has.

Material Selection Table for Curtain Wall Profiles

Material	Temp Range	Hardness (Shore A)	Tensile (MPa)	Compression Set (ASTM D395, 22h/70°C)	Typical Use	Relative Cost
Dense EPDM	-40 to 120°C	60–80	10–14	≤25%	Pressure bar, heel bead	$$
Sponge EPDM	-40 to 100°C	N/A (density 0.55–0.75 g/cm³)	2.5–4.0	≤30%	Soft compression zone	$
Silicone (VMQ)	-60 to 200°C	40–70	7–10	≤30%	High-temp facades, fire-rated	$$$
TPE/TPV	-60 to 125°C	60–90	6–10	≤35%	Recyclable systems	$$
Neoprene (CR)	-40 to 100°C	50–80	10–15	≤25%	Oil-exposed glazing	$$$
FKM (Viton)	-20 to 200°C	60–90	8–12	≤25%	Chemical plants, refineries	$$$$$

Flame-retardant curtain wall gaskets are usually silicone or EPDM compounded to UL 94 V-0 or to a project-specific ASTM E84 Class A requirement. Specify the standard, not just "FR" — the additive package changes the compression set and the price by 30–60%.

The Real Custom Extrusion Process — Step by Step

1. Drawing review and DFM feedback (Day 0–1)

Send a DWG, DXF, STEP, or a dimensioned PDF. We return a DFM note flagging thin walls under 0.8 mm, sharp internal corners that will tear on demolding, and any feature that pushes the die cost up unnecessarily. A 10-minute DFM call saves weeks of tooling rework.

2. Tooling and die fabrication (Day 2–7)

Extrusion dies for curtain wall profiles run USD 350–900 depending on cross-section complexity and whether it is a single or co-extrusion head. A co-extrusion die for dense/sponge combination runs USD 900–1,800. Tooling is a one-time cost, owned by the buyer, and stored at the factory for repeat orders.

3. Compound and sample extrusion (Day 7–12)

We compound or select the elastomer to the spec sheet, run a 20–50 m trial, and vulcanize under controlled temperature and line speed. Samples ship as 300 mm cut lengths unless the buyer wants full 2 m sticks.

4. Testing and approval (Day 12–18)

Standard tests: hardness (ISO 868), tensile and elongation (ISO 37), compression set (ASTM D395), thermal aging (ASTM D573), and ozone (ISO 1431-1). Third-party lab testing (SGS, TÜV, Intertek) adds 5–10 days and is quoted separately.

5. Mass production and export (Day 18+)

Once the sample is signed off, mass production runs at 200–800 m/hour depending on profile. Standard packing is 100–200 m per coil in PE film, then woven bag or carton, then pallet. FCL and LCL both work out of Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen.

In our Hunan factory experience, the single biggest cause of delay on overseas curtain wall projects is a drawing sent without a hardness callout. A buyer in the Gulf region once sent a DWG with full geometry but no durometer spec — we quoted 65 Shore A, they expected 75, and the first sample failed their compression test. A one-line note on the drawing ("Shore A 70 ±5, per ISO 868") would have saved 11 days. Now we ask for a hardness, a temperature range, and a compression set target before we open the die file.

How to Send CAD Drawings That Get Quoted in 24 Hours

What to include in the drawing package

• Cross-section view with all radii, wall thicknesses, and overall dimensions in mm.
• Tolerance callout — extrusion tolerance per ISO 3302-1 Class E2 or E3 is standard for curtain wall profiles. If the project needs tighter, say so; it changes die cost and scrap rate.
• Material spec — polymer, hardness (Shore A), color, and any flame retardancy standard (UL 94, ASTM E84).
• Cut length and end treatment — square cut, mitered, punched, or spliced. Spliced corners for frame gaskets are vulcanized, not glued, for structural applications.
• Annual volume estimate — this drives MOQ and pricing tier.
• Packaging preference — coil, straight stick, or cut-to-length in carton.

What to leave out

Decorative fillets that do not affect sealing, non-critical chamfers, and reference dimensions to other parts. Every extra feature adds die cost and slows extrusion speed.

Formats we accept

DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, PDF with dimensions, and native SolidWorks or Creo files. If you only have a physical sample, mail it — we reverse-engineer the profile and return a drawing for your approval before cutting the die.

MOQ, Tooling, Lead Time and Export Packing — Buyer Reference

Item	Standard Range	Notes
MOQ (custom profile)	500–1,000 m per profile	Lower for repeat customers with existing tooling
MOQ (stock profile)	100 m	Limited to catalog cross-sections
Tooling cost (single extrusion)	USD 350–900	One-time, buyer-owned
Tooling cost (co-extrusion)	USD 900–1,800	Dense + sponge combination
Sample lead time	7–12 days after drawing approval	Express courier at buyer's account
Mass production lead time	15–25 days after sample approval	Depends on volume and compound
Extrusion tolerance	±0.15 mm on critical dims	Per ISO 3302-1 Class E2
Packing	100–200 m/coil, PE film + woven bag	Carton or pallet on request
Port of loading	Shanghai / Ningbo / Shenzhen	FOB, CIF, DDP all quoted

For related profiles in the same project, see our door sealing strips and cabinet seals — the same die shop and compound line handle all three, which consolidates tooling and shipping.

Quality Control and Standards Compliance

Every production lot is tested for hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, and compression set before it leaves the factory. Batch traceability runs from compound lot number to extrusion date to shipping carton. For projects specifying thermal aging per ASTM D573 or fluid resistance per ISO 1817, we run the test on the actual production compound, not a lab surrogate.

Flame-retardant grades are tested to UL 94 (horizontal or vertical burn) or to ASTM E84 for surface burning characteristics. Ozone resistance per ISO 1431-1 is standard on all exterior-grade EPDM and silicone profiles.

For silicone-specific curtain wall and fire-rated facade applications, see our silicone series — VMQ holds up to 200°C continuous and is the default choice for high-rise curtain wall in hot climates. If your project also includes decorative trim, our WPC profiles run on the same export schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOQ for a custom curtain wall gasket?

For a new custom profile, MOQ is 500–1,000 m per cross-section, depending on complexity and compound. If you already have tooling at our factory from a previous order, MOQ drops to 300 m. Stock catalog profiles start at 100 m. We quote MOQ alongside unit price so you can see the volume breakpoints.

What is the lead time for samples and mass production?

Samples ship 7–12 days after drawing approval, assuming the compound is standard. Mass production runs 15–25 days after sample sign-off, depending on order volume and whether the compound needs custom formulation. Add 5–10 days if third-party lab testing (SGS, TÜV, Intertek) is required.

What extrusion tolerance can you hold on a curtain wall profile?

Standard is ±0.15 mm on critical sealing dimensions, per ISO 3302-1 Class E2. Tighter tolerances down to ±0.10 mm are possible on small cross-sections but raise die cost and scrap rate. We recommend specifying tolerance only on dimensions that affect sealing — over-tolerancing the whole profile adds cost with no performance gain.

How are curtain wall gaskets packed for export?

Standard export packing is 100–200 m per coil, wrapped in PE film, then a woven bag or carton, then palletized for FCL or LCL. Straight sticks up to 2 m ship in cartons. Custom labeling with your part number and batch code is available at no extra cost. We load out of Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen.

Do you offer free samples?

Stock profile samples are free — you cover courier. Custom extruded samples are quoted at a nominal cost (typically USD 50–150) that covers compound, setup, and extrusion time; this is credited back against the first mass production order. Sample lead time is 7–12 days after drawing approval.

Parameter	Standard Spec	Test Method
Hardness	Shore A 65–70 ±5	ISO 868
Tensile strength	≥10 MPa	ISO 37
Elongation at break	≥300%	ISO 37
Compression set	≤25% (22h/70°C)	ASTM D395 Method B
Thermal aging	≥80% tensile retention (70h/100°C)	ASTM D573
Ozone resistance	No cracks, 50 pphm, 40°C, 20% strain	ISO 1431-1
Extrusion tolerance	±0.15 mm critical dims	ISO 3302-1 Class E2

Send your CAD drawing for a 24-hour quote.