Have you ever wondered about the different types of rubber available on the market and how these might be a good choice for your unique requirements? Everyone has different needs when it comes to their choice of materials, and this is no exception with the different types of rubber. Still, if this is something you have been considering, our friendly experts are on hand today to help you find out a little more about the different types of rubber and how these could work for your needs.
What is Rubber?
First of all, we need to clarify what rubber is and its key properties, generally. Rubber is a solid material that offers exceptional elasticity and tensile strength, making it highly popular for many different applications.
Accordingly, rubber is often used in materials requiring reliable strength with the ability to be flexible. Some common examples of such applications include rubber dust bellow and seal gaskets.
How Many Types of Rubber Materials Are There?
There are numerous types of rubber materials, with approximately forty different varieties. These include both natural rubber materials and synthetic rubber.
It’s well worth considering here that each of these different types of rubber will have unique manufacturing processes, and these provide numerous different properties. As such, defining what rubber is most useful for is not necessarily a straightforward process since this may depend on how you intend to use the rubber.
Wondering how to choose the correct rubber material for your customized project? View our guide: Rubber Material Selection Guide.
Natural Rubbers
Natural rubbers are produced naturally by plants and tend to be incredibly soft and wear-resistant. They offer excellent elasticity and are useful in many different molds and products.
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic rubber materials offer excellent tensile strength and also come with the additional benefit of usually being non-allergenic. Accordingly, synthetic rubber materials are commonly used in applications requiring more specific characteristics and in scenarios where natural rubber latex causes allergic reactions. Synthetic rubber is made from petrochemicals in laboratory settings.
The Main Types of Rubber Materials
At this point, we’ve briefly looked at how many types of rubber exist. But what are some of the most common and widely used rubber materials? The following options are among the most popular and versatile for a variety of applications, from seals and gaskets to custom molded parts.
NR (Natural Rubber)
Natural rubber (NR) is derived from latex produced by plants and is one of the most commonly used rubber materials. It is strong, soft, and highly wear-resistant, making it suitable for many industrial and consumer applications.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -60°C to +70°C
- Chemical resistance: mild chemicals
- Wear resistance: high
- Special notes: Not suitable for solvents, fuel, or mineral oils
- Applications: Seals, gaskets, Linatex rubber for heavy-duty mining applications
Silicone Rubber (MVQ)
Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer ideal for applications where latex allergies are a concern. It is highly biocompatible, flexible, and stable under a wide range of conditions.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -60°C to +230°C
- Chemical resistance: mild chemicals, ozone, UV
- Wear resistance: medium
- Special notes: Hypoallergenic, safe for direct skin contact
- Applications: Medical devices, food-grade products, industrial components
FKM (Viton / Fluoroelastomer)
FKM rubber, commonly known as Viton, offers exceptional resistance to chemicals and high temperatures. It is widely used in demanding industrial applications.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -20°C to +250°C
- Chemical resistance: strong acids, bases, solvents
- Wear resistance: high
- Applications: Chemical processing seals, O-rings, high-temperature gaskets
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
EPDM is a synthetic rubber highly resistant to acids, ozone, UV, and radiation. It is considered one of the most food-safe rubbers on the market.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -50°C to +150°C
- Chemical resistance: acids, UV, ozone
- Wear resistance: medium
- Applications: Automotive seals, food processing gaskets, outdoor applications
NBR (Nitrile Rubber / Nitrile Butadiene Rubber)
NBR rubber is commonly used in automotive and industrial applications due to its excellent oil and wear resistance.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -40°C to +120°C
- Chemical resistance: oils, fuels
- Wear resistance: high
- Applications: Engine seals, automotive components, some medical-grade rubber products
CR (Neoprene Rubber)
Neoprene is one of the earliest synthetic rubbers, known for its heat resistance and durability. It does not burn easily and resists degradation or corrosion.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -40°C to +120°C
- Chemical resistance: moderate chemicals, oils
- Wear resistance: medium
- Applications: Industrial gaskets, hoses, protective coatings
SBR (Butadiene Rubber / Styrene-Butadiene Rubber)
SBR is one of the most widely produced synthetic rubbers, known for durability and water resistance. It is particularly used in the transportation industry.
Key Properties:
- Temperature range: -50°C to +100°C
- Chemical resistance: water, glycol
- Wear resistance: medium
- Applications: Tires, automotive parts, industrial belts
Quick Comparison Table of Common Rubber Materials
| Material | Temp Range | Chemical Resistance | Wear Resistance | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | -60°C to 70°C | Mild chemicals | High | Seals, gaskets, Linatex rubber |
| EPDM | -50°C to 150°C | Acids, UV, ozone | Medium | Automotive seals, food processing |
| NBR | -40°C to 120°C | Oils, fuels | High | Engine parts, seals |
| FKM | -20°C to 250°C | Strong chemicals | High | Chemical processing, O-rings |
| Silicone | -60°C to 230°C | Mild chemicals, UV, ozone | Medium | Medical, food-grade, industrial uses |
| CR | -40°C to 120°C | Moderate chemicals | Medium | Hoses, gaskets, coatings |
| SBR | -50°C to 100°C | Water, glycol | Medium | Tires, automotive belts |
Conclusion
Choosing the right rubber depends on your application, environmental conditions, and performance requirements. With so many high-quality options available, including NR, EPDM, NBR, FKM, Silicone, CR, and SBR, our team can help you select the ideal material for your seals, gaskets, and custom molded parts. If you are unsure which material is right for your application, you can refer to our rubber material selection guide for more detailed engineering considerations.
