Materials
(A Comparative Guide)

A Comparative Guide to the General Properties
of Different Types of Rubber

MATERIALS (A Comparative Guide)

A Comparative Guide to the General Properties of Different Types of Rubber

This guide is meant only as a general comparison of some of the most common types of synthetic rubbers available to natural rubber. Your application is unique and should be discussed with your molder for specific recommendations. (See Key below.)

Natural Ethylene Propylene Neoprene Butyl Halobutyl Nitrile
ASTM Classifications
 NR EPR BIIR
D1418
 IR EPDM CR IIR CIIR NBR
D2000
 AA DA BC AA BA BF
Hardness, Shore A
 20-90 40-90 20-95 40-75 40-75 20-95
Typical Tensile Strength
Pure Gum - psi
 3000 400 3000 1500 1500 1000
Reinforced - psi
 3000 3000 3000 2000 2000 2000
Resisilience
Room Temp.
 E VG VG L L G
Hot
 E VG VG VG G G
Resistance to
Tear
 E G G G G F
Abrasion
 E G E G F-G G
Compression Set
 G VG F-G F G G
Weathering
 E E E VG VG F-G
Oxidation
 G E VG E VG G
Ozone
 P E VG G VG P
Temp. Range
High Temp.
 G E G G VG VG
Low Temp.
 E E G G F G
Aqueous Fluid Resistance
Dilute Acid
 E E VG E E G
Conc. Acid
 F-G G G E G G
Water
 VG E G VG VG F-G
Organic Fluid Resistance
Aliphatic (A)
 P P G P P E
Oxygenated (B)
 F G P G G P
Chlorinated (C)
 P P P-F P P P-F
Aromatic (D)
 P P F P P G
Fuels (E)
 P P G P P E
Fats and oils (f)
 P-G G G VG VG E
Permeability
 F F-P L VL VL L
Flame Resistance
 P P G P P P
Diaelectric Properties
 E E VG G-E VG P

 

<- Continued from above

Hypalon Urethane Silicone Fluorocarbon Fluorosilicone
ASTM Classifications
 AU
D1418
 CSM EU MQ FKM FVQM
D2000
 CE BG FE HK FK
Hardness, Shore A
 45-95 60-95 25-85 60-95 40-70
Typical Tensile Strength
Pure Gum - psi
 2100 3000 200 2000
Reinforced - psi
 2800 6000 1100 2000 1500
Resisilience
Room Temp.
 G L-G VG L G
Hot
 G G VG VG VG
Resistance to
Tear
 F O P F P
Abrasion
 E O P G P
Compression Set
 F F VG VG VG
Weathering
 E E E E E
Oxidation
 E G E O E
Ozone
 O E E O E
Temp. Range
High Temp.
 VG G O O O
Low Temp.
 F P-G O P-G O
Aqueous Fluid Resistance
Dilute Acid
 E P F E E
Conc. Acid
 E P F E G
Water
 G P G VG VG
Organic Fluid Resistance
Aliphatic (A)
 G E P E E
Oxygenated (B)
 P P-F F P P
Chlorinated (C)
 P-F P-F P-F E G
Aromatic (D)
 F-G G P E E
Fuels (E)
 E E F E E
Fats and oils (f)
 G E F E E
Permeability
 L L F L F
Flame Resistance
 F-G F F G G
Diaelectric Properties
 E F E G G

Key:

A = Hexane, Iso-octane, etc. O = Outstanding
B = Acetone, Methyl-Ethyl Ketone, etc. E = Excellent
C = Chloroform, Perchroloethylene, etc. VG = Very Good
D = Toluene, Xylene, etc. G = Good
E = Kerosene, Gasoline, etc. F = Fair
f = Animal and Vegetable products L = Low
VL = Very Low
P = Poor