Different types of commonly used rubbers

Rubber is an elastic, resilient material with multifarious uses. Starting from a baby milk bottle nipple to seals, and insulation pads of rockets, and spacecraft. There are in-between numerous other Industrial, domestic, and DIY applications. We shall share 8 major types of rubber and their application, pros, and cons.

Natural :

Natural rubber as the name suggests, is a natural elastomer, extracted from rubber trees of the tropics in the form of a viscous milky substance called latex. Upon drying and chemical treatment, this thick fluid is coagulated and used to prepare many useful products.

Pros: High tensile strength, abrasion resistance.

Cons: degradation in UV, ozone, sunlight, heat, and petroleum oil and fuels.

Applications: Natural rubber alone or with a blend with synthetic rubbers is used in preparing tires, Flooring, matteresses, conveyor belts, anti-vibration pads, and mounts.

Neoprene :

Although the scientific name, is Polychloroprene, but the former name become so popular, it is mostly known as "Neoprene" among the masses. It is the first synthetic rubber introduced to the world. This is the most versatile elastic polymer with excellent physical and mechanical properties suitable for diverse engineering services.

Pros: resistance to heat, chemicals, temperature, water, aging, weather, oil, and flames.

Cons: relatively high-pricing, non-biodegradable, degradation in strong oxidizing acids, ketone, and organic solvents.

Applications: wetsuits, marine and ships, bridge bearing pads, seals, trims of aircraft, and aerospace, hoses, and timing belts.

Silicone :

Silcione Rubber Offers an aesthetic look with a gentle touch, along with its sustainability in very high and extremely low temperatures (-65 to +250 degree Celsius). Food grades are widely used in the pharma and medical industry due to their inertness towards living cells and tissues.

Pros: Chemical and thermal stability, wide operating temperature range, Biocompatibility, no creasing or wrinkling,

Cons: Less tensile strength and elongation, poor wear and tear resistivity.

Application: glass sealant, extreme-temperature insulation pads, paints, mattress protector sheets, microwave-safe utensils, teats, prosthetics.

Epdm :

It is an all-round elastomer with superior tolerance towards environmental effects such as sunlight, heat, UV, ozone, Moisture, air, water, and steam. It offers good electric current resistivity along with a fair temperature range.

Pros: relatively economical, excellent weathering and aging.

Cons. Poor perforce with oil, acids, kerosene, and many chemicals.

Application: roofing, the lining of water reservoirs, gaskets, cords, and profiles for door-window trims.

Nitrile :

It is known as the best petroleum product-friendly elastic material, all thanks to its inertness towards petroleum-based oil and fuels. Nitrile is the best choice for applications demanding non-degradation due to petroleum-based substances.

Pros: economical compared to neoprene, good abrasion resistance, doesn’t decay on oil, fuel, alcohol, or grease.

Cons: Limited temperature range, prone to wreathing, UV, sunlight, and ozone.

Applications: Oil seals, gaskets, washers, Hoses, insulation sheets for HVAC systems.

Viton (fluoroelastomer) :

It is an ultra-high performance elastomer developed by Dupont, meeting stringent specifications. It is known for its exceptional resistivity towards chemicals, acids, hydrocarbons, fuel, lubricants, and gases. It is the best choice for elastic material to be used in satellites, aircraft space activities, and deep sea exploration where replacement of parts are not possible.

Pros: High temperature befitted, Most reliable rubber for harsh conditions

Cons: high density, very costly, limited availability.

Application: seals, gaskets, washers, insulation pads, trims, wipers.

Butyl :

It is extremely flexible rubber with a good compression set, which means offers a good rebound when compressed. It is impermeable to gases and is mostly used in preparing gas retention articles such as automobile tubes, football, gas containers.

Pros: Good flex properties, impermeable to gases, satisfactory heat, weather, and water resistance.

Cons: not suitable for oil, fuels, high temperatures.

Application: bushes, mounts, speaker cone edges, adhesives, sport goods, tubes, wipers.

SBR (Synthetic butadiene rubber) :

A general-purpose synthetic rubber often blended with natural rubber for improved tensile and abrasion resistance. It offers a broad range of applications meant for elastic polymers. It is the most cost-effective and greater consumed synthetic rubber.

Pros: Appropriate for blending with other rubbers, economical, heat, and abrasion assistance.

Cons: Less tensile and elongation, poor abrasion, and heat resistance, limited service under oil and fuels.

Application: footwear, sport wear, automotive parts, washers, coupling, car tires, hoses, adhesives.