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Rubber Materials Guide The right polymer for the job.

Six base elastomers, over 1000 custom formulations mixed and tested in-house. Choosing the right polymer is the single biggest factor in a long-lasting, failure-proof component. This page tells you how we choose.

Not sure? Skip the theory: message us on WhatsApp or email us, and we'll recommend the grade.

LET’S FIND YOUR COMPOUND

Tell us what your rubber needs to do.

Three quick steps. We’ll help you choose the material.

  1. 1Temperature
  2. 2Exposure
  3. 3Requirements
  4. 4Send
Possible compounds
    Step 1 of 3 · Temperature

    What temperatures will it face?

    Set the coldest and hottest temperatures. You can type a value or use the sliders.

    °C
    °C
    SERVICE TEMPERATURE

    Temperature ranges at a glance

    Cold in blue, heat in orange. Compare the indicative ranges below.

    Silicone-60°C to +225°C
    EPDM-50°C to +110°C
    FKM-30°C to +230°C
    NBR-40°C to +110°C
    CR-40°C to +110°C
    SBR-40°C to +90°C

    Indicative ranges. Confirm the compound grade and operating conditions with us.

    OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

    Same exposure.
    Different response.

    Sun and rain cycle over small rubber test samples. Years of ageing in seconds.

    Sun. Rain. Repeat.Outdoor weathering
    Sun exposure
    SBRLowerresistance
    NBRLowerresistance
    CRModerateresistance
    EPDMHighresistance
    SiliconeHighresistance
    FKMHighresistance

    Illustrative comparison, not a service-life prediction or test result. Actual performance depends on compound formulation and exposure conditions.

    Side by Side

    Full Property Chart

    Scroll across to compare all six materials →

    Property NBR (Nitrile) CR (Neoprene) EPDM Silicone (VMQ) FKM (Viton®) SBR
    Hardness (°Shore A) 30-95 35-95 35-85 20-90 55-90 40-90
    Temperature Range (°C) -40 to 110 -40 to 110 -50 to 110 -60 to 225 -30 to 230 -40 to 90
    Electrical Resistance Poor Good Good Best Good Fair
    Abrasion Resistance Excellent Poor Good Fair Excellent Excellent
    Oil / Fuel Resistance Excellent Fair Poor Poor Excellent Poor
    Acid / Chemical Exposure Check application Check application Check application Check application Check application Check application
    Weather & Ozone Resistance Very Poor Good Very Good Best Good Poor
    Steam Resistance Poor Fair Best Good to 121°C Limited (special grades good) Poor

    Viton® is a registered trademark. Figures are indicative. Chemical suitability depends on the exact fluid, concentration, temperature and exposure time; no general acid rating applies to every application. Tell us your operating conditions and we'll recommend the right polymer.

    Silicone

    VMQ / Silicone Rubber

    Our speciality, from very soft 30 Shore A extrusions to silicone sponge. Grades built to FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, BfR XV and USP Class VI (ch 87 and 88) for food, beverage and pharma service.

    Engineer's note

    Brilliant across the temperature range, extreme cold to high heat, and clean enough for food and medical. Compression set is excellent, so seals stay springy and keep sealing for years. Two honest cautions: it tears and abrades more easily than most, and it is very hard to bond or glue. If physical strength is also a requirement, let us know. Special grades can handle it.

    LED Luminaires Food & Pharma Tubing Medical Housings Electronics Enclosures Oven & Autoclave Seals
    Continuous Service-60°C to +225°C
    Short-Term Peak+300°C short-term (special grade)
    Compression SetExcellent
    ASTM D2000M2GE
    Relative Cost●●●●○
    Recommended for
    UV & ozone Hot air Water Steam to 121°C Fungus
    Keep away from
    Fuels Mineral oils Superheated steam Solvents

    EPDM

    Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer

    Handles steam and hot water better than most elastomers, resists temperature cycling, and does it at a very competitive cost. The default choice for outdoor enclosure seals, pipe gaskets and potable water applications.

    Engineer's note

    Sun, ozone, rain, years of it, and EPDM shrugs it all off. Just keep it away from oil and fuel. That is the one thing it cannot take.

    Outdoor Enclosures Potable Water (BS 6920) Solar & Street Lighting Automotive Weatherstrip
    Continuous Service-50°C to +110°C
    Short-Term Peak+150°C short-term
    Compression SetGood
    ASTM D20002CA
    Relative Cost●●○○○
    Recommended for
    Sunlight Ozone Steam Hot water Weak acids
    Keep away from
    Mineral oils Fuels Solvents Grease

    FKM

    Fluoroelastomer (Viton®)

    The premium polymer for aggressive environments: fuels, mineral oils, hydraulic fluids, acids and continuous high heat. Where NBR gives up, FKM keeps sealing. Not for ketones, esters or amines, and standard grades dislike steam. FDA and USP Class VI compliant FKM grades are available for food and pharma duty.

    Engineer's note

    Heat, no problem. Oil, no problem. Fuel, no problem. The one catch: if your fuel has ethanol in it, standard Viton swells. Ask for the flex-fuel terpolymer grade (E20, E50, E85) and you're covered.

    Fuel Systems Chemical Processing High-Temp O-Rings Hydraulic Equipment Aerospace-Grade Seals
    Continuous Service-30°C to +230°C
    Short-Term Peak+250°C short-term
    Compression SetVery good
    ASTM D2000HK
    Relative Cost●●●●●
    Recommended for
    Petrol & diesel Mineral oils Most acids Ozone & UV High heat
    Keep away from
    Ketones Esters Amines Brake fluid Steam (std. grade)

    NBR

    Nitrile Butadiene Rubber

    The industry standard for oil and fuel contact at moderate temperatures, with excellent abrasion resistance and a wide hardness range. NBR is specified by acrylonitrile (ACN) content: high-nitrile grades (around 45% ACN) give maximum oil and fuel resistance, while low-nitrile grades (around 18 to 20% ACN) trade some oil resistance for better low-temperature flexibility.

    Engineer's note

    The oil-and-fuel workhorse, but it just does not like sunlight or ozone. For outdoor service, tell us both the weather exposure and any oil or fuel contact so we can select for the combined duty. EPDM is not a substitute where petroleum oils or fuels are present.

    Oil Seals Hydraulic & Pneumatic Automotive Pump & Valve Seals Transformer Gaskets
    Continuous Service-40°C to +110°C
    Short-Term Peak+120°C short-term
    Compression SetGood
    ASTM D2000BG
    Relative Cost●●○○○
    Recommended for
    Mineral oils Petrol & diesel Grease Hydraulic fluid Water
    Keep away from
    Ozone Sunlight Ketones Brake fluid

    CR

    Neoprene / Chloroprene

    Inherently flame retardant, which makes it a frequent pick for electrical and marine duty.

    Engineer's note

    The all-rounder. Takes weather, moderate oil and a bit of flame without complaint. It rarely wins any single category outright, but when a part sees a little of everything, this is the safe call.

    Electrical Gaskets Marine Seals Flame-Retardant Duty General Industrial
    Continuous Service-40°C to +110°C
    Short-Term Peak+120°C short-term
    Compression SetGood
    ASTM D2000BC
    Relative Cost●●●○○
    Recommended for
    Weather & ozone Moderate oils Refrigerants Flame (self-extinguishing)
    Keep away from
    Strong acids Ketones Aromatics

    SBR

    Styrene Butadiene Rubber

    Good impact strength and ageing behaviour, ideal where volumes are large and the environment is mild.

    Engineer's note

    Cheap, tough and great against abrasion, which is exactly why it belongs indoors and dry. No oil, no ozone, no sunlight. For general-purpose pads, bushes and buffers on a budget, it's economically hard to beat.

    Washers Pads & Bumpers General Mouldings Water Service High-Volume Parts
    Continuous Service-40°C to +90°C
    Short-Term Peak+100°C short-term
    Compression SetFair
    ASTM D2000AA
    Relative Cost●○○○○
    Recommended for
    Abrasion Impact Water Mild chemicals
    Keep away from
    Oils Fuels Ozone Sunlight Heat
    Have a question?

    Choosing a compound

    Which rubber is best for high temperature?

    Silicone (VMQ) handles −60°C to +225°C and FKM (Viton) up to +230°C. Silicone is better for extreme cold and food/medical contact; FKM is better where fuels, oils and aggressive chemicals are present.

    Which rubber is best for outdoor use?

    EPDM and Silicone. Both have excellent UV, ozone and weathering resistance. EPDM is the cost-effective choice for outdoor seals; Silicone adds a much wider temperature range.

    Which rubber is best for oil and fuel contact?

    NBR (Nitrile) is the standard for oils and fuels at moderate temperatures. FKM (Viton) is the upgrade for higher temperatures and more aggressive media.

    What hardness should a rubber seal be?

    Most static seals work at 50 to 70 Shore A. Low closure-force applications like LED luminaires use soft 30 Shore A silicone; dynamic or abrasive duties often need 80–90 Shore A.

    Not sure which polymer?

    Tell us the application. We answer with a grade, a price and a lead time.

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