The following
chemical resistance evaluation of various elastomers has been assembled by The
Los Angeles Rubber Group,Inc based on the published literature of various
polymer suppliers, rubber manufacturers and sources including:
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The criteria used for the ratings were primarily
volume swell resistance, compression set resistance, and in addition, aging
resistance. For the most part the
ratings were arrived from specific data or general agreement of the above
sources. When no data or agreement was
found, the ratings were arrived at by theory and analogy. In some cases they are the considered
opinion of experienced compounders. We
cannot guarantee their accuracy nor assume responsibility for their use.
Several factors must always be considered when using
a rubber part in service. The most
important as we see them are:
a. The
temperature of service. Higher
temperatures increase the effect of all chemicals on polymers. The increase varies with the polymer and the
chemical. A compound quite suitable at
room temperature might fail miserably at elevated temperatures.
b. Conditions
of service. A compound that swells
badly might still function well as a static seal yet fail in a dynamic
application.
c. The grade
of polymer. Many types of polymers
are available in different grades that vary greatly in chemical resistance.
d. The compound itself. Compounds designed for other outstanding
properties may be poorer in performance in a chemical than one designed especially for fluid resistance.
In light of these factors, it
is always best to test.
Each polymer is rated for use in individual chemicals at room
temperature. Where multiple chemicals
are in use, refer to the rating of
the most aggressive fluid when evaluating polymer performance. Polymers are rated as:
1. Recommended. Little or minor effect, 0-5% volume swell
where applicable.
2. Minor
to moderate effect. Rubber parts
probably still useful in most applications, 5-10% volume swell where
applicable.
3. Moderate
to severe effect. Rubber parts useful
in some static applications only.
10-20% volume swell where applicable.
4. Not
recommended.
--- No
data available or insufficient evidence.
TLARGI
wishes to thank DuPont Dow Elastomers for their assistance in updating this
chemical resistance guide.
Material Chemical Group Generally Resistant to Generally Attacked by
=======================================================================================
NR,
IR Natural
rubber, Polyisoprene Most moderate wet or Ozone, strong acids,
Isoprene dry
chemicals, organic fats, oils,
greases, most
acids,
alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons
aldehydes
=======================================================================================
SBR,
BR Butadiene, Styrene, Similar to natural
rubber Similar to natural rubber
Styrene butadiene Butadiene
Copolymer,
Polybutadiene
=======================================================================================
IIR Butyl Isobutylene, Water and steam Petroleum
solvents,
Isoprene, coal,
tar, solvents,
polymer aromatic
hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
EPM, Ethylene Ethylene Water,
steam and brake Mineral oils and
EPDM propylene Propylene fluids solvents,
aromatic
copolymer
and hydrocarbons
terpolymer
=======================================================================================
NBR Nitrile Butadiene, Many hydrocarbons, fats, Ozone, ketones, esters,
Acrylonitrile oils, greases, hydraulic aldehydes, chlorinated
copolymer fluids, chemicals and nitro hydrocarbons
=====================================================================================
HNBR Hydrogenated Butadiene, Similar to NBR but with Ozone, ketones, esters,
nitrile Acrylonitrile improved chemical aldehydes, chlorinated
copolymer resistance and higher and nitro hydrocarbons
service
temperature
=======================================================================================
CO1, ECO Epichlorohydrin Epichlorohydrin Similar to nitrile with Ketones, esters,
polymer
and ozone resistance aldehydes, chlorinated
copolymer and
nitro hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
CR Neoprene Chloroprene Moderate chemicals Strong oxidizing acids,
polymer and acids, ozone, oils, esters, ketones,
fats,
greases, many chlorinated,
aromatic
oils,
and solvents and nitro
hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
CSM HypalonŇ Chlorosulfonated Similar to Neoprene Concentrated
oxidizing
polyethylene with improved acid and acids, esters, ketones,
ozone
resistance chlorinated,
aromatic
and
nitro hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
CM,
CPE TyrinŇ Chlorinated Similar to Neoprene Concentrated oxidizing
polyethylene with improved acid and acids, esters, ketones,
ozone
resistance chlorinated,
aromatic
and
nitro hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
AU,
EU Urethane Urethane polymer Ozone, hydrocarbons, Concentrated acids,
moderate
chemicals, ketones, esters,
fats,
oils, greases chlorinated
and nitro
hydrocarbons
=======================================================================================
T Polysulfide Organic Ozone, oils, solvents, Mercaptons, chlorinated
polysulfide thinners, ketones, hydrocarbons, nitro
polymer esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers,
hydrocarbons amines, hetercocyclics
=======================================================================================
Si,
VMQ Silicone Organic silicone Moderate or Many solvents, oils,
polymer oxidizing chemicals, concentrated acids,
ozone,
concentrated dilute sodium
hydroxide
sodium
hydroxide
=======================================================================================
FSI,
FVMQ Fluorosilicone Fluorinated organic Moderate or oxidizing Brake fluids, hydrazine,
silicone
polymer chemicals, ozone, ketones
aromatic
chlorinated
solvents,
bases
=======================================================================================
TFE/P Tetrafluoro- Fluorinated copolymer Steam, amines and amine Aromatic hydrocarbons,
ethylene-propylene corrosion
inhibitors, chlorinated
solvents,
caustics,
high pH media, ethers, limited in low
wet
sour gas, oil temperatures
=======================================================================================
ACM Polyacrylate Copolymer of Ozone, extreme Water, alcohols, glycols
acrylic
ester and pressure, lubricants, alkali, esters,
acrylic
halide hot oils, petroleum
aromatic hydrocarbons,
solvents,
animal and halogenated
vegetable
fats hydrocarbons,
phenol
=======================================================================================
FKM Fluoroelastomer Standard All aliphatic, aromatic Ketones, low molecular
#1 fluorocarbon and halogenated weight esters and
dipolymer
66% hydrocarbons, acids, alcohols and
fluorine animal and vegetable nitro-containing
oils compounds
=======================================================================================
FKM Fluoroelastomer Standard or Same as FKM#2. Ketones,
low molecular
#2 specialty
type Greater chemical weight esters and nitro-
fluorocarbon. resistance containing compounds
Typically,
>66%
fluorine
=======================================================================================
Zalak® Proprietary Greater resistance to Nitrogen-containing
fluorocarbon acid, base, alcohol, compounds
amine
and ethers than FKM
=======================================================================================
FFKM Perfluoroelastomer Fully fluorinated Best fluid resistance of Fluorocarbon-containing
fluorocarbon any elastomer refrigerants cause minor
effects