Basic Rubber Compounds for Gaskets
Expert Gasket & Seal provides rubber gaskets for many types of service and applications. Here is a brief explanation of the most common rubber materials for gaskets and their intended usage.
Synthetic rubber is available in a variety of compounds for many different types of service. The most common of these are Neoprene®, Nitrile (Buna-N), EPDM, SBR (Styrene-Butadiene), Viton® (FKM), and Silicone.
Neoprene® (Chloroprene) is the most widely known synthetic rubber. Most chloroprene rubber compounds can be used in temperatures from -20°F to + 225°F, and in applications such as water, refrigerants, some mineral oils, and ammonia.
Nitrile (Buna-N, NBR, Acrylonitrile-butadiene) is designed for service in petroleum based fluids generally to 212°F. It is the material of choice for most mineral oils, some fuels, and petroleum based oils & grease. Nitrile is not compatible with glycol based brake fluid, phosphate-ester fluids, and high aromatic content fuels.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene) is generally good within a temperature range of -50°F to +300°F and is the preferred compound for hot water, steam, glycol based brake fluids, alcohols, ketones, and phosphate-ester hydraulic fluids. EPDM is not compatible with petroleum based fluids.
SBR (Styrene-Butadiene) is the oldest synthetic rubber and was designed to replace natural rubber. It has a temperature range of -40°F to +180°F and is most commonly used in water applications. The most well known form of SBR used in gaskets is known as “Red Rubber”, named for it’s reddish-brown color.
Viton® (FKM, Flurocarbon) has excellent resistance to a wide variety of chemicals within a temperature range of -20°F to +400°F. Viton® is compatible with some acids, aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene) and methanol based fuels. Viton® also works well in high vacuum applications.
Silicone Rubber has excellent low and high temperature resistance (-75°F to +450°F) and is particularly ozone and weather resistant.
There are other compounds, besides these, available for gasket usage. Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal before choosing a rubber gasket. We will make sure you have the best, and most cost-effective compound for your rubber gasket application.