Rubber Materials

Rubber Materials for Custom Molded Parts & Products

The success of any part often depends on the materials used to build it. When it comes to rubber, there are dozens of materials to choose from. Which material is the best choice for your rollers, parts or assemblies? Let REDCO answer that question!

At REDCO, we make a large variety of rubber products and process all types of thermo-set elastomers. We have a developmental lab and a full-time chemist on-site. We can customize compounds to meet your physical requirements or we have a library of compounds developed through over 60 years of business.

The information below is intended to give our customers a broad overview of the properties of a number of different rubbers. This is intended to aid in the selection of rubbers for particular service conditions.

Acrylic Rubber

Acrylic Rubber, ACM, is a specialty synthetic rubber used when resistance to petroleum fuel, oil, oxygen, ozone and heat are required. It is generally resistant to ozone, extreme pressure, lubricants, hot oils, petroleum solvents, animal and vegetable fats. It is generally attacked by water alcohols, glycols, alkali, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and phenol. This synthetic rubber is used extensively in the automotive industry for transmission applications, bearing seals, o-rings and gaskets.

Butyl Rubber

Butyl Rubber, IIR, is a synthetic rubber known for its outstanding impermeability to gases and excellent oxidation and ozone resistance. It is generally resistant to animal and vegetable fats, oils, greases, ozone, strong and oxidizing chemicals. It is generally attacked by petroleum solvents, coal tar solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons. It is the dominant choice for automotive inner tubes and tire liners. Other applications include belting, steam hose, o-rings,shock and vibration products.

Carboxylated Nitrile

A high performance grade of nitrile polymer modified with the addition of a carboxyl group to the polymer chain. Maintaining the oil resistant properties of nitrile this addition provides excellent abrasion resistance at no extra cost and improves the tensile and tear properties of the end product. It is recommended for dynamic applications, shaft seals, orings, footwear, and roll covers.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM)

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber, EPDM, is a type of synthetic rubber that is used in a wide variety of applications. Its main physical properties are outstanding heat, ozone and weather resistance. It is generally resistant to animal and vegetable oils, ozone, strong and oxidizing chemicals. It is generally attacked by mineral oils and solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons. It is used extensively in vehicle seals, hose, tubing, washers, belts, o-rings and moisture seals.

Fluorocarbon Rubber

Fluorocarbon Rubber, FKM, is a very high cost synthetic rubber used when greater resistance to heat, chemicals, oils and solvents is needed. It is generally resistant to all aliphatic, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, acids, animal and vegetable oils. It is generally attacked by keytones, low molecular weight esters and nitro containing compounds. It is used in o-rings, seals, gaskets, diaphragms, pump impellers, tubing, and high-vacuum and radiation equipment.

Natural Rubber

Natural Rubber, NR, is found in the juices of many plants but the principle source is from the Hevea Brasiliensis, a tropical tree. This is the product that all synthetic rubber types have tried to duplicate. It is generally resistant to most moderate chemicals wet or dry, alcohols and aldehydes. It is generally attacked by ozone, strong acids, fats, oils, greases and hydrocarbons. Typical applications are in tires, shock mounts, energy absorbers, seals, isolators, couplings, bearings, springs and other dynamic applications.

Neoprene Rubber

Neoprene Rubber, CR, also known as polychloroprene is another synthetic rubber known for its resistance to oils, oxidation, ozone and flame. It is generally resistant to moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, oils, fats, greases and solvents. It is generally attacked by strong oxidizing acids, esters, keytones, chlorinated aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons. General applications include hose, belting, wire and cable, footwear, tires, bearing pads and impellers.

Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile Rubber, NBR, is a synthetic rubber that finds a great deal of use in applications that require resistance to petroleum oils and gasoline. It is generally resistant to many hydrocarbons, fats, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids and chemicals. It is generally attacked by keytones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons. Useful applications are carburetor and fuel-pump diaphragms, aircraft hoses and gaskets.

Perfluorocarbon Rubber

Perfluorocarbon Rubber, FFKM, is one of the most expensive synthetic rubber compounds produced. The mechanical properties are very similar to fluorocarbon rubber but it exhibits even greater resistance to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, keytones, oils, lubricants and most acids. It is used in demanding applications for chemical processing, oil production and in the aerospace and aircraft industries.

• Poppets
• Housings
• Seals
• Die-cut Parts

Polyisoprene Rubber

Polyisoprene Rubber, IR, is a synthetic rubber that is the closest of all synthetic rubbers in duplicating many of the physical properties of natural rubber. It is very similar to natural rubber in its chemical resistance. Typical applications are almost interchangeable with those of natural rubber. It is also referred to as synthetic natural rubber!

Polyurethane Rubber

Polyurethane Rubber, AU EU, come in polyester and polyether based compounds. These synthetic rubbers are well known for their excellent tensile and tear strength, outstanding abrasion resistance, good coefficient of surface friction and resilience. They are generally resistant to ozone hydrocarbons, moderate chemicals, fats, oils and greases. They are generally attacked by concentrated acids, keytones, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons. Typical applications are seals, bumpers, coupling elements, rollers, wheels and conveyor belts.

Silicone Rubber

Silicone Rubber, SI, is a synthetic rubber that exhibits excellent high temperature operation and also very good low temperature flexibility. These are premium compounds that come at a premium cost and are very versatile for a wide range of applications. They are generally resistant to moderate or oxidizing chemicals, ozone and dilute sodium hydroxide. They are generally attacked by many solvents, oils, concentrated acids and concentrated sodium hydroxide. Applications are automotive, cooking, electronics, aerospace and medical devices.

Styrene Butadiene Rubber

Styrene Butadiene Rubber, SBR, became a high volume synthetic rubber substitute for natural rubber during World War II because of its suitability for use in tires. This rubber is also very similar to natural rubber in its chemical resistance. It is known for its wear and abrasion resistance. Besides the tire industry it is also used to produce shoe heels and soles and used in many roller applications.

REDCO's Properties of Rubber Chart

Learning more about the properties of rubber can help to inform your choice when you decide which material is best for your project.

» Click here to download our Properties of Rubber chart.

Contact REDCO

With more than 70 years of experience in rubber manufacturing, our team has extensive knowledge of rubber materials. We can help you determine which material has the right properties for your application. Contact us or call us at 800.733.2648 or 775.882.3100.