Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

RUBBER
HANDBOOK
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Rubber has been used in engineering applications for well over one hundred years.
Yet engineers and designers have difficulty in correlating the terms and expressions
used by the rubber technologist with those they use themselves. Tensile strength,
hardness, elongation and creep, for example are terms familiar to engineers but their
meaning in rubber technology can often be quite different.

What is rubber?

Rubbers are loosely described as materials which show ‘elastic’ properties. Such
materials are generally long chain molecules known as ‘polymers’ and the
combination of elastic and polymer has led to the alternative name of ‘elastomers’.
Rubbers and elastomers will be considered to be synonymous in this work.

One easily understood definition of a rubber or elastomers is a material which at room

temperature can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice its original length and upon
immediate release of the stress, will return with force to approximately its original
length.

Natural and Synthetic

Natural rubber (NR) is generated in the Hevea brasiliensis tree as an emulsion of cis-
poly-isoprene and water known as latex. The milky liquid is exuded from the tree
when it is cut and is collected in small cups. Latex is also obtained in small quantities
from the Guayule shrub. The latex is coagulated and then dried to produce clear crepe
rubber. If it is dried in the presence of smoke it becomes a light brown colour and is
called smoked sheet. Natural rubber was the only rubber available for more than a
century but the growth in the demand for tyres has outstripped the available supply
and today NR represents less than 33% of the total usage of rubber.

Synthetic rubber is prepared by reacting suitable monomers to form polymers and can
be obtained as a water emulsion or as a suspension in water or solvents. Small
quantities of methyl rubbers were made during the First World War but the first
commercially successful synthetic rubber was Du Pont’s Neoprene, polychloroprene
introduced in 1931. Since that time, Du Pont alone has introduced nine distinct groups
of synthetic elastomers and there are no less than eight general classes of synthetic
rubber, with 44 sub-classes, listed by American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASME).
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Compounding

The raw or base polymers vary from soft plastic materials to tough gristly substances
and generally, they are not suitable for use in the form in which they are supplied.
Their elastomeric properties have to be developed by further compounding and the
possible permutations and combinations are infinite. Fillers such as carbon black and
finely ground silica can be used to provide reinforcement; oils, waxes and fatty acids
can be used to improve processability and colours can be obtained by incorporating
suitable pigments. Other additives are used to improve chemical resistance and to
assist in the curing process. Rubber compounds usually contain less than 50% of the
raw polymer and in some cases, e.g. flooring, the rubber content can be less than 25%.

Vulcanisation

Most rubbers when they have been compounded need to be vulcanized or cured.
Chemically the process produces crosslink’s in the molecular structure, which provide
the physical properties required and which give the finished rubber, chemical and
thermal suitability. However there is one group of rubbers, the thermoplastic
elastomers (TPE), which do not require vulcanizing. Examples include Du Pont’s
HYTREL engineering thermoplastic elastomer and ALCRYN melt-processable,
halogenated polyolefin rubber.

Processing

Rubber compounding is generally carried out on open rubber mills or large internal
mixers. Open mills consist of two roller (typically 2M across and 0.6mm in diameter)
which rotate in opposite directions. The rolls can be heated or cooled as necessary.
The rubber is placed on the rolls and mixing is achieved by the shearing action
induced at the ‘nip’ between the rolls. Additives are added in carefully weighed
quantities during the the mixing process. After the mixing operation is complete, the
compound is removed from the mill in the form of sheet.

Internal mixers have an enclosed chamber in which two rotors with helical blades turn
in opposite directions at slightly different speeds. The blades impart a shearing action
to the rubber which quickly produces a homogeneous mix. Cooling water or steam is
circulated through the rotors and various parts of the casing to maintain the optimum
temperature conditions. Mixing is by batch and the compound is dropped from the
bottom of the internal mixer onto an open mill and then removed as sheet. The sheet
generally requires pre-shaping into blanks of suitable dimensions for moulding into
finished parts.
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

White Hygenic

Description: Natural Rubber especially formulated for use within the Food
Industry, meeting the requirements of FDA regulations part 177

Specification: Hardness Shore A 50

Specific Gravity 1.31

Working Temperature -40°C to 80°C

Tensile Strength 10Mpa

Elongation 500%

Properties: Excellent Mechanical & Dynamic properties

Low Compression Set & High Resilience

Moderate ozone resistance

Good resistance to Dilute Acids & Oils, but not adequate for
use with Hydrocarbons & Solvents

Good Abrasion resistance

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Nitrile

Description: Nitrile rubber or acrylonitrile-butadiene is a copolymer of

butadiene & acrylonitrile

Specification: Hardness Shore A 60

Specific Gravity 1.28

Working Temperature -30°C to 120°C

Tensile Strength 10Mpa

Elongation 350%

Properties: Resistance to Oils

Good mechanical properties, like traction, compression &

impermeability to gases

Ages moderately well

Good adhesion to metal

Moderate resistance to cold

Resistance to Chemicals; good resistance to inorganic chemical

products-with the exception of antioxidant agents & chlorine.
In general, have satisfactory resistance to hydrocarbons, but
limited resistance to aromatics

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Natural Rubber Insertion

Description: Natural Rubber is CIS-Polyisoprene an extract of latex of

Hevea Basiliensis. An insert of either Polyester or Cotton is
included

Specification: Hardness Shore A 65

Specific Gravity 1.49

Working Temperature -25°C to 70°C

Tensile Strength 4.5Mpa

Elongation 350%

Properties: Excellent Mechanical properties

Low Compression Set & High Resilience

Dynamic properties are excellent

Good ozone, acid & alkali resistance, but not adequate for use
with oils & solvents

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Neoprene

Description: Neoprene is a homopolymer of Chloroprene (chlorobutadiene)

Specification: Hardness Shore A 65

Specific Gravity 1.49

Working Temperature -25°C to 90°C

Tensile Strength 4Mpa

Elongation 200%

Properties: Excellent Mechanical properties

Good resistance to heat, ozone & the elements

Fireproof properties

Good adhesion to metal

Resistant to most chemical products, except oxidant acids &

halogens. Not resistant to most organic compounds, except
alcohol. Moderately resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

EPDM POTABLE WATER

Description: EPDM is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene & diene

Specification: Hardness Shore A 70

Specific Gravity 1.18

Working Temperature -45°C to 120°C

Tensile Strength 11Mpa

Elongation 250%

Properties: Excellent resistance to ageing, ozone & numerous corrosive

chemical products

Excellent electrical properties

Not resistant to oils & damaged by aliphatic hydrocarbons,

aromatics & halogenated solvent

Moderate adhesion to metal & different substrates

Very good results with hot water & high pressure steam

Resistant to most inorganic chemical products. Limited

resistance to oxidant acids but highly resistant to mineral acids,
alcohol and detergents

Certified to AS/NZ 4020:2002 as a product for use in contact

with drinking water. In particular, in terms of taste, appearance,
Non growth of micro organisms, non growth of Cytotoxic
activity & no mutagenic effect

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

EPDM

Description: EPDM is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene & diene

Specification: Hardness Shore A 70

Specific Gravity 1.31

Working Temperature -45°C to 120°C

Tensile Strength 7Mpa

Elongation 300%

Properties: Excellent resistance to ageing, ozone & numerous corrosive

chemical products

Excellent electrical properties

Not resistant to oils & damaged by aliphatic hydrocarbons,

aromatics & halogenated solvent

Moderate adhesion to metal & different substrates

Very good results with hot water & high pressure steam

Resistant to most inorganic chemical products. Limited

resistance to oxidant acids but highly resistant to mineral acids,
alcohol and detergents

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing products

Silicone

Description: Silicone Rubber – Red or White

Specification: Hardness Shore A 60

Specific Gravity 1.28

Working Temperature -60°C to 200°C

Tensile Strength 7.5Mpa

Elongation 300%

Tear Strength 17 N/mm

Properties: Excellent resistance to heat (dry air) at 200°C continuous &

250°C intermittent.

Remains flexible at low temperature of –60°C

Resistant to UV, ozone & weathering

Exhibits low flammability & low smoke toxicity

Good Electrical insulation properties

Conform to BS:EN:2260:1995 & FDA regulations FDA CFR

177.2600

Have comparatively low mechanical properties, tensile

strength, elongation & tear strength - however they keep
constant even at high temperatures

Resistant to a range of general chemical products, but acids,

alkalis, esters & ketone should be avoided

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

Viton A

Description: Viton is Hexafluoropropylene Vinylidene Fluoride

Specification: Hardness Shore A 72

Specific Gravity 1.98

Working Temperature -30°C up to 250°C

Tensile Strength 5Mpa

Elongation 220%

Properties: Extraordinary resistance to heat, with continuous heat up to

250°C

Resistance also to low temperature – minus 30°C

Self extinguishing & resistance to ozone & the elements

Excellent compression set in compression at high temperatures

Resistance to chemicals. Of all synthetic rubber types, viton is

the most resistant to hydrocarbons, aliphatic as well as
aromatics & chlorinated. Extremely resistant to alkalis,
including oxidants

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

SKIRTING RUBBER

Description: Natural rubber & Styrene Butadiene Rubber

Specification: Hardness Shore A 65

Specific Gravity 1.38

Working Temperature -25°C to 70°C

Tensile Strength 7Mpa

Elongation 350%

Properties: Good mechanical properties

Low compression set

Dynamic properties are very good

Good ozone resistance but not suitable for use with oils &
solvents

Ideally use is or conveyor belting skirting & dry scraping

applications

Use as a guide only

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

NEOPRENE DIAPHRAGM SHEETING

ELASTOMER CHARACTERISTICS

Description: 1.5mmThick Neoprene/Nylon 1 ply

Elastomer: CR-Neo #3249
Colour: Black
Gravity: 1.36
Hardness: 55 Shore A (+/-5°)
Tensile Strength: 11 Mpa
Elongation: 500%
Maximum Operating Temperature: 90°C

FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Material: 100% Nylon (2/940 Warp & Weft)

Weight: 368 gm/m2
Thickness: 0.7mm
Cord Count: 9 – 1 Warp
8 – 6 Weft

COATED FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Thickness: 1.5mm +0.3

Weight: 1.8 Kg/m2
Tensile Strength: 100 Weft
110 Warp
Mullins Burst: >7500 Kpa

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

NEOPRENE DIAPHRAGM SHEETING

ELASTOMER CHARACTERISTICS

Description: 3.0mmThick Neoprene/Nylon 1 ply

Elastomer: CR-Neo #3249
Colour: Black
Gravity: 1.36
Hardness: 55 Shore A (+/-5°)
Tensile Strength: 11 Mpa
Elongation: 500%
Maximum Operating Temperature: 90°C

FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Material: 100% Nylon (2/940 Warp & Weft)

Weight: 368 gm/m2
Thickness: 0.7mm
Cord Count: 9 – 1 Warp
8 – 6 Weft

COATED FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Thickness: 3.0mm +0.3

Weight: 3.8 Kg/m2
Tensile Strength: 100 Weft
110 Warp
Mullins Burst: >7500 Kpa

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

NEOPRENE DIAPHRAGM SHEETING

ELASTOMER CHARACTERISTICS

Description: 4.5mmThick Neoprene/Nylon 2 ply

Elastomer: CR-Neo #3249
Colour: Black
Gravity: 1.36
Hardness: 55 Shore A (+/-5°)
Tensile Strength: 11 Mpa
Elongation: 500%
Maximum Operating Temperature: 90°C

FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Material: 100% Nylon (2/940 Warp & Weft)

Weight: 368 gm/m2
Thickness: 0.7mm
Cord Count: 9 – 1 Warp
8 – 6 Weft

COATED FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Thickness: 4.5mm +0.4

Weight: 5.3 Kg/m2
Tensile Strength: 180 Weft
190 Warp
Mullins Burst: >7500 Kpa

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

NEOPRENE DIAPHRAGM SHEETING

ELASTOMER CHARACTERISTICS

Description: 6.0mmThick Neoprene/Nylon 2 ply

Elastomer: CR-Neo #3249
Colour: Black
Gravity: 1.36
Hardness: 55 Shore A (+/-5°)
Tensile Strength: 11 Mpa
Elongation: 500%
Maximum Operating Temperature: 90°C

FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Material: 100% Nylon (2/940 Warp & Weft)

Weight: 368 gm/m2
Thickness: 0.7mm
Cord Count: 9 – 1 Warp
8 – 6 Weft

COATED FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS

Thickness: 6.0mm +0.5

Weight: 7.6 Kg/m2
Tensile Strength: 180 Weft
190 Warp
Mullins Burst: >7500 Kpa

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

VITON RUBBER
1 PLY REINFORCED NOMEX FABRIC INSERTION

SPECIFICATION-TD70NC 1

Elastomer Compound: Viton ‘A’ Grade

Hardness: 75° Shore ‘A’ (+/-5)

Maximum: 204°C

Tensile Strength: 84 Kgs/cm2

Elongation @ Break: 200 % (min)

Specific Gravity: 1.85 gr/cm

Reinforcing Fabric: Square Woven (Plain Weave Spun Nomex)

Construction: 37.5 X 37 yarns/inch (Warp X Fill)

Weight: 7 oz/sq.yd

Thickness: 1.5mm

Tensile Strength: 250 X 250 lbs/inch (minimum)

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

Information on rubber quality

Tensile strength: The bigger the value the better the quality

0-40=Bad 40-100=Average 100-180=Very good +180=Excellent

Elongation: Bigger the value the better

Abrasion: Lower the figure the better the quality

Compression set: Less the better

Tear resistance: Greater the better

Higher than 30 is good

Less than 20 is bad

Specific weight: Less weight the better

Natural Rubber 1.0 to 1.2 is Good

Viton Less than 1.8 no good 2 is Good

Silicone 1.2 is no good & 1.8 is good

TO FIND THE LENGTH OF MATERIAL

E.G: Ø200 OD MINUS Ø60 ID X 18 LAYERS

=Ø140 DIVIDE BY 2 = 70
=Ø200 MINUS 70 = 130
130 X 3.14285 X NO. OF LAYERS = METRES IN LENGTH

TO FIND THE HOLE DISTANCE

PCD X 3.14285 DIVIDE BY THE NUMBER OF HOLES ON GASKET

PCD X3.14285 DIVIDE BY 360°=1°Xbolt hole degree

TO FIND THE LENGTH OF A DIAMETER = DIAMETER X 3.14285

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

SPECIFICATION

NEOPRENE SPONGE CLOSED CELL SCE42

All material tests conducted to JISK 6301-1975

Tensile Strength: Min. 6kg/cm2

Elongation: Min.120%

Specific gravity: 0.15+0.03g/cm3

Water absorption: Max.3%

Compression set: Max.30%

25% Deflection weight: 352-630g/cm3

Ageing test in Hot air deflection change: +30%

Ozone resistance test 55PPHM X 30°C 120hours (20% stretch non crack)

Hardness: 15 + 5 hs (c Type)

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

Neoprene Sponge CR 160

Base Polymer: Polychloroprene

Specific Gravity: 160kg/m3 +/-30kg/m3

Tensile Strength: 4.0kg/cm2 min.

Operating Temperature: -30°C to +100°C

(indirect heat)

Hardness: HS (c- type) 25 +5

Elongation: 150% min.

Compression Strength: (25%) 30kg/100cm2 +/-10

Water Absorption: 0.005g/cm2 max

Compression Set: (50%, 20°C x 22hrs) 25% max

Heat Shrinkage: (70°C x 4hrs) 4% max

Fire Retardent: UL 94HF 1

Test Method: M 3014 & M 6550

The data in this table is typical value only.

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

HIGH DENSITY POLYETYLENE (H.D.P.E)

H.D.P.E. has very good chemical resistance although it is affected by aggressive

oxidising agents (nitric acid) and aromatic hydrocarbons (xylene). It does not
absorb moisture and has good electrical properties. Although having similar
mechanical properties to U.H.M.W.P.E it does not have the same abrasion,
impact or resistance to environmental stress cracking.

Applications include chemical tanks, low duty bearings, wear strips, orthotic and
prosthetic supports.

• Additional properties can be obtained with the introduction of fillers

• Can be thermoformed and hot air welded
• Good low friction properties

STANDARD COLOURS

Natural

Black: U.V. stabilised

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

P.T.F.E (TEFLON)

P.T.F.E. is well known for its anti stick and low friction properties. It has
excellent electrical properties, is virtually unaffected by weather and is
chemically inert. Under light loads its working temperature range is –110°C to
+145°C although this upper limit can be increase to 260°C by utilising certain
additional fillers.

• Glass fibre fillers increase mechanical properties, rigidity and hardness

• Graphite & molybdenum adds to strength & wear resistance
• Bronze fillers give high thermal conductivity, greatly improve mechanical
properties and create an electrically conductive material
• Rulon greatly improves the P.V. wear limits of P.T.F.E
• All fillers reduce creep and improve dimensional stability
• Typical applications include seals, ‘O’ rings, bushing & bearing

STANDARD GRADES

Virgin – unfilled

23%=2% glass & molybdenum disulphide

25% glass

25% carbon

60% bronze

Rulon (higher load, low wear)

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

P.V.C. (RIGID UNPLASTICISED)

Polyvinylchloride exhibits little or no water absorption, is non-corrosive and has

a high resistance to chemicals. Rigid grades are easily formable and are resistant
to weather. With excellent electrical properties and its ability to not support
combustion and its comparative low cost, makes P.V.C. the popular choice for
applications in the chemical industry, electroplating and laboratory market.

• Thermoformable
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Working temperature range of –30°C to +60°C
• Low cost
• Applications: fume cupboards & ducting, plating tanks, sinks & troughs

STANDARD GRADES

Normal impact
High impact

STANDARD COLOURS

Grey
Transparent (non U.V. resistant)
White

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE

This material is a high density polyethylene with an average molecular weight of

6,000,000 which results in this material having high physical strength and
increased chemical stability. The properties that make this superior to other
plastics are abrasion resistance, impact resistance, extremely low coefficient to
friction, self lubrication and chemical resistance, with a wide working
temperature range of –269°C to +80°C.

• F.D.A. approval for food and drug industries

• Excellent general purpose material
• Superior wear resistance and friction properties
• Typical applications include hopper lining, chain wear strip, rollers, bottle
stars and feed screws, cryogenic parts

STANDARD COLOURS

White

Black

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATES NOVASTEEN/BAKELITE

A range of industrial laminates manufactured from phenolic, epoxy, polyester or

silicone resins and reinforced with a fine, medium or coarse weave cotton fabric,
Kraft paper or woven fibreglass. Each resin and reinforcement combination
produces a material with varying characteristics of mechanical, electrical,
thermal properties and chemical resistance.

• Shock loading
• High flatwise and edgewise compression
• Excellent rigidity
• High strength to weight ratio
• Useful working temperature range from cryogenic to +150°C
• Typical applications are heavy duty gear, pump bearings, impact dollies,
electrical insulating components

STANDARD GRADES

Phenolic fabric, paper or glass fabric

Epoxy fabric, paper or glass fabric

Silicone glass fabric

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

NYLON (P.A. – POLYAMIDE)

As the workhorse of engineering plastics, due to its wide variety of mechanical

properties, nylon has been in demand for a number of years as a bearing material.
Because of its good abrasion resistance, chemical, thermal and low friction
properties, it has earned a reputation for its resistance to wear. Hardness and
strength, yet toughness and tenacity are the combination that makes nylon so
versatile and the chosen product for many applications.

• Useful working temperature range of –40°C to + 140°C

• Self lubricating properties can be further enhanced with fillers
• Available in a wide variety of grades to suit specific applications
• Typical applications include bushes, bearings, gears, cams, pulleys and wear
pads

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

POLYCARBONATE

With an excellent balance of toughness, clarity and high-heat deflection,

polycarbonate is seen as a versatile engineering thermoplastic. Dimensional
stability, excellent electrical properties, and inherent ignition-resistant
characteristics are its other outstanding features. Polycarbonate exhibits high
impact strength over a wide range of temperatures from -45°C to +132°C.

• Light transmission of 82%-86%

• 250 times the impact strength of glass
• 30 times the impact strength of acrylic
• Long term service temperature of +120°C
• Cold formable
• Typical sheet applications include architectural glazing machine guarding,
sight glasses

STANDARD GRADES

Clear – non U.V

Ultra violet stabilised
Fire resistant
Mar resistant

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials.

POLYURETHANE ELASTOMER

Polyurethanes are a unique synthetic elastomeric product which can be formulated into a
variety of shapes and having properties of a hard rigid plastic or a soft rubber. Rebound
and memory are a major property of this material as well as a high coefficient of friction
resulting in excellent grip. High impact resistance, excellent replacement for rubber.

• Low moisture absorption

• Excellent resistance to Gamma radiation
• Easily castable into complex shapes
• Can be coated to metal substrates
• F.D.A. grades available
• Working temperature range of –50°C to +90°C

STANDARD GRADES

Shore A hardness: 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 &95

Shore D hardness: 65, 75 &85

THE ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS ARE A GUIDE ONLY

 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES NR NEOPRENE NITRILE EPDM BUTYL VITON SILICONE HYPALON

Durometer Hardness (Shore A) 65 60 60 70 60 72 60 60
Tensile Strength (Mpa) 4 4 10 7 8 9 8 8
Nominal Elongation At Break (%) 200 200 350 300 400 160 300 350
Compression Set E G G E-G G-F E-G G G-F
Resilience E E G G F F P F
Gas Impermeability G G G G E E F E
Electrical Resistivity (Polymer) E F F-P E E G E G
Maximum Temperature 70°C 90°C 110°C 120°C 100°C 204°C 200°C 110°C
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Impact Strength E G F G G G F G
Abrasion Resistance E E E G F G F E
Tear Resistance E G G F G G F G
Cut Growth E G G G E G F G
Bonding to Rigid Material E E-G E-G F G G G E
RESISTANCE RATINGS
Weather- Sunlight Ageing F-P G P E E E E E
Oxidation G E G E E E E E
Ozone Cracking N E F E E E E E
Radiation G G G G G G G G
Water E G E E E E E G
Alkali-Dilute/Concentrated E/G E/E G/G E/E E/E E/E E/E E/E
Acid-Dilute/Concentrated E/G E/E G/G E/E E/E G/F G/F E/E
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons (Petrol, Kerosene) N F E N N E F F
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Benzene, Toluene) N G E-G N N E N G
Halogenated Hydrocarbons (Degreaser, Solvents) N P G-F N N E N P
Alcohol E-G E G-F G G G G E
Animal And Vegetable Oils G-F G G G E-G E E G
CODE : E = EXCELLENT G = GOOD F = FAIR P = POOR N = NOT RECOMMENDED
23/07/2002*** RUBBER SPECIFICATION USAGE GUIDE ONLY *** ACCURATE SPECIFICATION REQUIRED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION ***
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials
Description Hardness Specific Tensile Elongation Temp General
Shore (A) Gravity Strength % °C
(MPa)
Butyl Rubber 55/65 1.15 10 450 90 Chlorobutyl rubber excellent chemical resistance. High
resistance to temperature & permeation. Fabric finish
both sides.
EPDM Rubber 65/75 1.20 11 250 110 Multi purpose EPDM rubber. Excellent ozone
weathering and acid resistance
Hypalon Rubber 55/65 1.45 10 500 125 Excellent ozone weathering and acid resistance coupled
with good abrasion resistance and heat resistant
qualities. Fabric finish one side.
Insertion Natural Rubber 62/72 1.27 6 300 70 Osnaberg fabric is included to improve tear resistance.
Neoprene Rubber 65/75 1.55 6 300 90 General purpose black Neoprene in roll form. Superior
to natural rubber in weathering, heat resistance, fire
resistance and resistance to petroleum based fluids.
Nitrile Rubber 60/70 1.21 16 520 90 Very good resistance to petroleum based fluids. Good
resistance to aromatics.
Redback 45 45 1.05 22 700 60 Premium black, ozone and abrasion resistant lining
rubber with a red surface bonding layer for cold bonding
that does not require any surface buffing. Suitable for
use with standard adhesive systems.
Skirting Natural Rubber 55/65 1.33 5 300 70 Use as conveyor skirting or similar application.
White Hygienic Rubber 45/55 1.38 12.5 670 70 Especially formulated from natural rubber for use in the
food industry.
21/08/2001 Accurate Specification Required for Specific Application
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials

RECOMMENDED RUBBER BUTYL EPDM NATURAL NEOPRENE NITRILE SILICONE VITON

Specific weight 0.92 0.86 0.93 1.23 1.00 1.14-2.05 1.85
Hardness range of the vulcanized (shore A) 30-90 40-90 30-95 40-95 40-95 40-85 55-95
Tensile strength with no filler Good Bad Excellent V. Good Bad Bad Good
Tensile strength with reinforcing filler Good Good Excellent V. Good V. Good Good Good
Tear strength resistance Good Good V. Good V. Good Good V. Bad Bad
Abrasion resistance Good Good V. Good Good V. Good V. Bad Bad
Resilience at low temperature V. Bad V. Good Excellent V. Good Good Excellent Regular
Resilience at high temperature V. Good V. Good Excellent V. Good Good Excellent Good
Compression set at -40°C Bad Regular Good Bad Good Good V. Bad
Compression set at 23°C Regular Good V. Good Good V. Good V. Good Regular
Compression set at 100°C V. Good V. Good V. Bad Regular Good Excellent Good
Heat resistance Good V. Good Regular Good Good Excellent Excellent
Cold resistance V. Good V. Good V. Good Good Good Excellent Excellent
Sunlight resistance V. Good Excellent Regular V. Good Good Excellent Excellent
Ozone resistance V. Good Excellent Bad V. Good Bad Excellent Excellent
Oxidation resistance Excellent Excellent Regular V. Good Good Excellent Excellent
Water resistance V. Good V. Good V. Good Regular Good Excellent Excellent
Aliphatic hydrocarbons resistance V. Bad Bad V. Bad Regular V. Good Regular Excellent
Aromatic hydrocarbons resistance V. Bad V. Bad V. Bad Bad Good V. Bad Excellent
Vegetable and animal oils resistance V. Good Good Bad Good V. Good V. Good Excellent
Ethers and cetones resistance Good Good Good V. Bad V. Bad Bad Bad
Gas permeability Excellent Regular Regular V. Good V. Good V. Bad Good
Flame resistance V. Bad V. Bad V. Bad Good V. Bad Regular Excellent
Electrical insolation V. Good V. Good Excellent Regular Bad V. Good Regular
Metals bonding Good Good Excellent Excellent Excellent V. Good Good
Cloths bondings Good Regular Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good
 Manufacturers and distributors of sealing and jointing materials
RUBBER COMPOUND GUIDE
Product Gauge Hardness S.G Temperature Tensile Elongation Abrasion Ozone/UV Oil Acid Main
Range Shore A Range (C) Strength % Resistance Resistance Resistance Resistance Application
(mm) (Mpa)
Natural Rubber 0.8 – 6.0 65(R608A) 1.49 -25 to 70 4.5 350 fair fair poor fair General purpose
Natural Rubber Insertion 1.5 – 9.0 65(R608A) 1.49 -25 to 70 4.5 350 fair fair poor fair General purpose
White Faced Insertion 6.0 68(R661) 1.61 -25 to 70 5 350 fair fair poor fair General purpose
White Hygienic 1.5 – 6.0 50(R448) 1.31 -40 to 80 10 500 good fair fair fair Food grade
Pure Gum 3.0 – 6.0 35(R399) 0.95 -40 to 80 20 600 excellent fair poor fair Soft, High Flexibility
T Line 40 Red 3.0 – 25.0 40(R394) 1.05 -40 to 70 18.6 600 excellent poor fair fair Abrasion
T Line 35 SY Yellow 3.0 – 6.0 35(R396) 0.97 -40 to 80 20 600 excellent fair poor fair Soft, High Abrasion
T Line 60 Black 6.0 – 25.0 62(R650) 1.12 -50 to 85 18 400 excellent good good good Abrasion

Neoprene Rubbber 0.8 – 25.0 70(C801) 1.42 -20 to 100 6.5 250 fair good good fair Heat/Oil/Ozone
Neoprene Insertion 1.5 – 6.0 70(C801) 1.42 -20 to 100 6.5 250 fair good fair fair Heat/Oil/Ozone

Nitrile Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 60(B569) 1.28 -30 to 110 10 350 good fair excellent good Petrol and Oil
White Nitrile 1.5 – 6.0 60(B571) 1.4 -35 to 110 8 400 good fair excellent good Food grade Oil
Nitrile Insertion 1.5 – 3.0 60(B569) 1.28 -30 to 110 10 350 good fair excellent good Petrol and Oil

Portable Water EPDM 1.5 – 6.0 70(E645) 1.18 -40 to 120 11 250 fair excellent poor good Potable water
EPDM Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 70(E701) 1.31 -40 to 120 7 300 fair excellent poor good Heat/Ozone
EPDM Insertion 1.5 – 3.0 70(E701) 1.31 -40 to 120 7 300 fair excellent poor good Heat/Ozone
EPDM Dust Cloth 2.0 50(E550) 1.17 -40 to 115 9 450 good excellent poor good Screen Dust Cloth

Butyl Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 60(T600A) 1.27 -40 to 100 8 400 fair excellent poor Very good Heat/Chemical

Hypalon Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 60(H611) 1.32 -35 to 110 8 350 fair excellent good excellent Heat/Acid/Chemical

Viton A Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 72(V737A) 1.98 -18 to 204 9 160 fair excellent excellent excellent Solvent/Heat/Chemical
Viton B Rubber 1.5 – 3.0 70(V725A) 1.8 -18 to 204 8 170 fair excellent excellent excellent Solvent/Heat/Chemical
Silicone Rubber 1.5 – 6.0 60(S662A) 1.2 -70 to 200 8 300 fair excellent good good High or Low temp.