Cork-rubber composite flooring (3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm)
Flooring
ATLAS CODE
COM-COR-RUB-001
Category composite
Material Family Cork-Rubber
Density
600-700 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
-2.5 to +3.0 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e
Lifespan
15-30 years (thickness and use dependent) yrs
Description
Cork-rubber composite flooring/underlay combines agglomerated cork with recycled rubber to provide impact-sound reduction and thermal insulation. Product datasheets for 3 mm and 4.5 mm cork-rubber underlays report density 600?700 kg/m3, tensile strength >800 kPa, compression at 0.7 MPa of about 15%, recovery >75%, and thermal conductivity around 0.08 W/mK (ISO 8301/ISO 7322). Acoustic results show ?Lw about 16?19 dB and IIC 47?52 depending on floor build-up (ISO 10140-3 / ISO 717-2; ASTM E492 / E989).
Primary Sectors
[Healthcare][Residential][Commercial]
Typical Uses
- Healthcare facilities requiring acoustic control and comfort
- Educational institutions (classrooms, libraries, corridors)
- Residential multi-unit developments meeting NCC acoustic requirements
- Commercial offices seeking Green Star certification
- Fitness centers and gymnasiums
- Aged care facilities prioritizing slip resistance and comfort
- Marine applications (IMO certified products)
- Recording studios and performance spaces
- Retail environments with high foot traffic
- Museums and galleries requiring stable climate control
Recycled Content Contains recycled rubber
Renewable Content 50-70% (cork component)
Recyclability 90-100%
Embodied Carbon -2.5 to +3.0 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 25-40 MJ/m² MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Impact sound reduction ?Lw 16?19 dB and IIC 47?52 for 3?4.5 mm underlay (test dependent)Thermal conductivity around 0.08 W/mK (ISO 8301)Tensile strength >800 kPa with good recovery after compression (ISO 7322)
Cautions
Performance depends on floor build-up and thickness; verify supplier dataFire performance not specified in available datasheetPrimarily documented as an underlay; finished-floor use depends on system spec
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-COR-RUB-001
Density (Dry) 600-700 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 0.45-0.50
Porosity 45-55% %
Water Absorption <2% by volume (24hr immersion) %
Hardness Shore A 60-75
Surface Roughness Ra 10-20 μm μm
UV Resistance Moderate (requires UV-resistant coating)
Chemical Resistance Excellent to mild acids/alkalis, poor to organic solvents
pH Tolerance pH 3-11
Compressive Strength 15% at 0.7 MPa
Tensile Strength >800 kPa
Flexural Strength 200-400 KPa (increases with thickness) MPa
Shear Strength 0.8-1.2 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 35-70 MPa GPa
Yield Strength 1.0-1.8 MPa MPa
Impact Resistance IIC 58 rating, 16-20 dB reduction J/m
Bearing Capacity 2.5-3.5 kN/m² (static load) kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.15-0.25
Creep Resistance Recovery >75% after 0.7 MPa
Abrasion Resistance >5000 cycles (ASTM D4060)
Thermal Conductivity 0.08 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.027 m2K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 1670 J/(kg·K) J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 40-50 ×10⁻⁶/°C μm/m·K
Sound Transmission Class (STC) IIC 47-52
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) NRC 0.15-0.25
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% (opaque) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 15-25% (natural cork), 10-20% (dark finishes) %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 25-35
Cork-rubber underlays evolved as resilient acoustic layers for floating and glued floor systems. Modern products are typically tested to ISO 8301 (thermal conductivity), ISO 7322 (mechanical properties), and ISO 10140-3/ISO 717-2 for impact sound reduction.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-COR-RUB-001
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) -2.5 to +3.0 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 25-40 MJ/m² MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150-200 L/m² L/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content Contains recycled rubber
LEED Points MR Credit: 2-4 points, IEQ Credit: 1-2 points
Circular Economy Score 85/100 (manufacturer take-back programs) /100
VOC Emissions <220 μg/m³ at 28 days (GREENGUARD Gold) g/L
Skill Level Professional (licensed floor layer for warranty)
Crew Size 2-3 installers for areas >50m²
Installation Time 15-25 min/m² (thickness dependent) hr/m²
Curing Time 24-48 hours (adhesive dependent) hours
Setting Time 30-60 minutes working time min
Temperature Range 18-24°C during and 48hr post-installation °C
Humidity Range 30-60% RH during and 48hr post-installation %
Required Tools
50kg floor rollerLow-nap mohair roller (adhesive application)Cork cutting knife or guillotineStraight edge (min 2m)Notched trowel (2mm V-notch)Moisture meterFloor scraper100mm seam roller
Certifications Required
Certificate III in Flooring TechnologySafe Work Method Statement
Weather Limitations
Indoor onlyNo direct water exposure during installation
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-COR-RUB-001
Material Cost $85-100/m² + GST
Installation Cost $30-50/m² (standard to complex)
Annual Maintenance $2-5/m² (cleaning and periodic resealing)
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $4-8/m²/year over 25-year lifespan
Market Availability Readily available major cities, 2-8 week lead time specialty
Lead Time 24-48hr stock, 2-3 weeks local manufacture, 4-8 weeks import weeks
Design Life 15-30 years (thickness and use dependent) years
Warranty Period 10 years commercial, 15-25 years residential years
Maintenance Interval Daily sweep, weekly mop, annual seal, 3-7 year refinish months
Service Temp Range -5°C to +40°C continuous, +50°C intermittent °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Limited - indoor use only recommended
Dimensional Stability ±0.10% under normal conditions (10-30°C, 30-70% RH)
Standards Compliance
ASTM E492 (impact sound)ASTM E989 (impact sound rating)ISO 8301 (thermal conductivity)ISO 7322 (mechanical properties)ISO 10140-3 (impact sound)ISO 717-2 (impact sound rating)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.