EQ153/DK154 is a black SBR rubber and granulated cork that is intimately mixed, keyed to a cotton scrim backing and vulcanized. During the vulcanization process the cork, rubber and cotton backing form a permanent bond providing strength, resilience and stability to the parts fabricated from the EQ153/DK154. A chemical reaction during the vulcanization process imparts sponginess to the material for improved compressibility and sealing properties. After vulcanization the EQ153/DK154 is sanded to gauge. The sanding process exposes the granulated cork providing a material with high surface friction.