Selecting the appropriate rubber material requires consideration of multiple factors,including usage conditions,design requirements,testing requirements,material specification selection,and cost.Here are some key points to help you choose the right rubber material:
1.Usage Conditions Considerations
2.Design Requirements Considerations
3.Testing Requirements Considerations
4.Material Specification Selection
5.Cost Considerations
Here is an overview of common rubber materials, their specifications, and properties:
| Rubber Material | Overview | Characteristics | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Obtained by emulsion polymerization of butadiene and acrylonitrile, known as butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, or simply nitrile rubber. | Best oil resistance, insoluble in nonpolar and weakly polar oils. Superior aging resistance compared to natural and styrene-butadiene rubbers. Good wear resistance, 30-45% higher than natural rubber. | Used for oil-contact hoses, rollers, gaskets, seals, tank linings, and large oil bladders. Suitable for transporting hot materials. |
| EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer) | Copolymer synthesized from ethylene and propylene. | Excellent aging resistance, known as "crack-free" rubber. Outstanding resistance to chemicals. | Automotive parts: including tire sidewalls and side wall covers. Electrical products: including high, medium, and low voltage cable insulation materials. Industrial products: resistant to acids, bases, ammonia, and oxidizing agents; various hoses, gaskets; heat-resistant conveyor belts and transmission belts. Building materials: rubber products for bridge engineering, rubber flooring, etc. Other applications: rubber boats, swimming pool air pads, diving suits, etc. |
| Silicone Rubber (VQM) | Refers to a class of elastic materials with Si-O units in the molecular chain and single-unit side chains as mono-valent organic groups, collectively called organopolysiloxanes. | Both heat and cold resistant, maintaining elasticity in the range of -100°C to 300°C. Excellent ozone and weathering resistance. Good electrical insulation; its properties change little when wet, in contact with water, or when the temperature rises. | Widely used in aviation, aerospace, automotive, metallurgy, and other industrial sectors. Also widely used as medical materials. |
| HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber) | Made by hydrogenating nitrile rubber to remove some double bonds, resulting in improved resistance to heat, weather, and oil compared to general nitrile rubber. | Better wear resistance than nitrile rubber. Excellent resistance to corrosion, tension, and compression deformation. | Used in automotive engine systems and seals. Widely applied in environmental refrigerant R134a systems. |
| ACM (Acrylic Rubber) | Made from Alkyl Ester Acrylate as the main component. | Good resistance to oxidation and weathering. Has the function of resisting deformation. | Used in automotive transmission systems and power system seals. |
| SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) | A copolymer of styrene and butadiene, with uniform quality and fewer foreign particles compared to natural rubber. | Low-cost, non-oil-resistant material. Good water resistance, with good elasticity below 70° hardness. | Widely used in tires, hoses, belts, shoes, automotive parts, wires, cables, and other rubber products. |
| FPM (Fluorocarbon Rubber) | A class of synthetic polymer elastomers with fluorine atoms in the main chain or side chains. | Excellent high-temperature resistance (can be used long-term at 200°C and can withstand short-term temperatures above 300°C). | Widely used in modern aviation, missiles, rockets, spacecraft, and other high-tech fields, as well as in the automotive, shipbuilding, chemical, petroleum, telecommunications, and mechanical industries. |
| FLS (Fluorinated Silicone Rubber) | Silicone rubber treated with fluorine, combining the advantages of both fluorine rubber and silicone rubber. | Good resistance to chemicals, fuels, and high and low temperatures. | Used in space and aerospace components. |
| CR (Chloroprene Rubber) | Made from the polymerization of 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene, a type of high molecular weight elastomer. | High mechanical performance, comparable to natural rubber in tensile strength. | Used for making hoses, belts, cable sheaths, printing rollers, boards, gaskets, and various seals and adhesives. |
| IIR (Butyl Rubber) | Made from the copolymerization of isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene, retaining a small amount of unsaturated bases for vulcanization. | Has impermeability to most general gases. | Used for rubber parts resistant to chemicals, vacuum equipment. |
| NR (Natural Rubber) | Made from the sap of plants, processed into a highly elastic solid. | Excellent physical and mechanical properties, elasticity, and processing performance. | Widely used in tires, belts, hoses, shoes, rubber cloth, and daily, medical, and sports products. |
| PU (Polyurethane Rubber) | Contains a large number of isocyanate groups in the molecular chain, with excellent mechanical properties, high hardness, and high elasticity. | High tensile strength. Large elongation. Wide hardness range. | Widely used in the automotive industry, machinery industry, electrical and instrument industry, leather and footwear industry, construction, medical, and sports fields. |