Northwest Rubber Extruders, Inc. — Since 1978

Technical Resources

Elastomeric Material Selection Guide

The following information is provided as a starting point for selecting an appropriate elastomeric material. It has been collected from various sources and is believed to be reliable, however no warranty as to accuracy or completeness is implied or expressed. Final determination of suitability is the sole responsibility of the user. NWRE assumes no responsibility or liability.

Service Conditions To Consider

  • Movement — static or dynamic
  • Fluid / chemical contact, including additives or contaminants
  • Temperature range — minimum and maximum
  • Pressure range — minimum and maximum
  • Compression / deflection / torsion
  • Vacuum applications — applied and cyclic

Design & Quality Requirements

  • Critical dimensions and applied tolerances
  • Configuration — special shape for a specific use
  • Function — seal, gasket, insulator, cushion, etc.
  • Expected / desired service life
  • Material specifications — SAE, ASTM, MiL, ZZ-R-765
  • Lot sampling vs. 100% inspection
  • Color or visual requirements
  • Test reports or certification requirements

Typical Characteristics & Resistance Guide

MaterialAdvantagesDisadvantagesWhere UsedApplication Temp Range
Butadiene (BR), Styrene Butadiene (SBR)
  • · Good brake fluid and water resistance
  • · Moderate cost
  • · Poor petroleum oil and solvent resistance
  • · Poor weather resistance
  • · Moderate high-temperature resistance
  • · Tire industry
  • · General industrial use
-50°F to 212°F
Butyl (IIR)
  • · Low gas permeability
  • · Excellent vibration damping
  • · Good weather resistance
  • · Poor petroleum oil and solvent resistance
  • · Moderate abrasion
  • · Moderate compression set
  • · Vacuum applications
  • · Tire industry
  • · Water and steam
  • · Wire and cable insulator
-40°F to 265°F
Ethylene Propylene (EPM, EPDM)
  • · Good low-temperature resistance
  • · Good heat resistance
  • · Excellent weather resistance
  • · Good chemical resistance
  • · Poor petroleum oil and solvent resistance
  • · Automotive brake & cooling seals
  • · Outdoor applications
  • · Water applications
  • · General industrial
-60°F to 300°F
Fluorocarbon Elastomer (FKM)
  • · Excellent weather resistance
  • · Excellent chemical resistance
  • · Excellent heat resistance
  • · Good compression-set resistance
  • · Poor low-temperature resistance
  • · Poor ketone & acetone resistance
  • · High cost
  • · Automotive fuel systems
  • · Aircraft engine seals
  • · High-temperature applications
5°F to 390°F
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
  • · Excellent temperature resistance
  • · Excellent compression-set resistance
  • · Excellent chemical resistance
  • · Low odor & taste
  • · Poor abrasion resistance
  • · High friction (CoF)
  • · High cost
  • · Automotive & Aerospace
  • · Medical devices
  • · Electrical applications
-75°F to 450°F
Natural rubber, Isoprene (NR)
  • · Excellent compression-set resistance
  • · Good resilience and abrasion
  • · Good tear resistance
  • · Moderate cost
  • · Poor petroleum oil resistance
  • · Poor weather resistance
  • · Automotive applications
  • · FDA food and beverage
-60°F to 220°F
Neoprene (CR)
  • · Excellent Freon® and ammonia resistance
  • · Good weather resistance
  • · Good chemical resistance
  • · Poor solvent resistance
  • · Moderate water resistance
  • · Moderate petroleum oil resistance
  • · Refrigeration
  • · Automotive
  • · General industrial
-40°F to 250°F
Nitrile, Buna-N (NBR)
  • · Excellent compression-set resistance
  • · Excellent tear resistance
  • · Excellent oil resistance
  • · Good abrasion resistance
  • · Poor weather resistance
  • · Poor solvent resistance
  • · Oil-resistant applications
  • · Automotive fuel systems
-20°F to 210°F
Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR)
  • · Excellent compression-set, oil & abrasion resistance
  • · Improved heat, fuel & ozone resistance
  • · Moderate low-temperature resistance
  • · High cost
  • · Oil-resistant applications
  • · Automotive fuel systems
-20°F to 275°F
General Purpose Silicone (MQ, VMQ)
  • · Excellent temperature resistance
  • · Excellent compression-set at lower durometer
  • · Low odor & taste
  • · Low-temperature flexibility
  • · Poor abrasion
  • · Poor solvent/oil/acid/NaOH resistance
  • · High friction (CoF)
  • · Automotive & Aerospace
  • · Medical devices
  • · Electrical
  • · FDA food and beverage
-75°F to 450°F
Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV)
  • · Good weather resistance
  • · Good abrasion resistance
  • · Good low-temperature resistance
  • · Poor chemical resistance
  • · Poor compression-set at high durometer
  • · Automotive
  • · Medical devices
  • · Sports equipment
  • · General industrial
-75°F to 210°F
Kraton® G (SEBS, SEPS)
  • · Good weather, water, acid, base resistance
  • · Good low-temperature resistance
  • · Poor hydrocarbon oil and solvent resistance
  • · Poor high-temperature resistance
  • · Medical devices
  • · FDA food and beverage
  • · Footwear
-80°F to 160°F
Flexible PVC
  • · Good weather, water, acid, base resistance
  • · Good tear strength
  • · Poor hydrocarbon oil and solvent resistance
  • · Moderate temperature resistance
  • · Medical devices
  • · Wire and cable insulation
  • · General industrial
-20°F to 180°F
High Molecular Weight PVC (HMPVC)
  • · Good low-temperature resistance
  • · Good UV resistance
  • · Good tear strength & flex fatigue
  • · Poor compression-set at elevated temperature
  • · Poor hydrocarbon, oil & solvent resistance
  • · Marine
  • · Wire and cable insulation
  • · Sports equipment
-58°F to 220°F
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