Chemical Resistance Guide - Evaluation Method

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:

The criteria used for the ratings were primarily volume swell resistance, compression set resistance, and in addition, aging resistance. The ratings were primarily derived from specific data or general agreement of the above sources. When no data or agreement was found, the ratings were developed by theory and analogy. In some cases they are the considered opinion of experienced compounders. The Los Angeles Rubber Group 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 factors are:

  1. 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.
  2. Conditions of service. A compound that swells badly might still function well as a static seal yet fail in a dynamic application.
  3. The grade of polymer. Many types of polymers are available in different grades that vary greatly in chemical resistance.
  4. 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 for their assistance in updating this chemical resistance guide.

  Material Chemical Group Generally Resistant to Generally Attacked by
NR, IR Natural rubber, Isoprene Polyisoprene Most moderate wet or dry chemicals, organic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes Ozone, strong acids, fats, oils, greases, most hydrocarbons
SBR, BR Butadiene, Styrene Butadiene Styrene, Butadiene Copolymer, Polybutadiene Similar to natural rubber Similar to natural rubber
IIR Butyl Isobutylene, Isoprene, polymer Water and steam Petroleum solvents, coal, tar, solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons
EPM, EPDM Ethylene Propylene Ethylene Propylene copolymer and terpolymer Water, steam and brake fluids Mineral oils and solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons
NBR Nitrile Butadiene, Acrylonitrile copolymer Many hydrocarbons, fats, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, chemicals Ozone, ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons
HNBR Hydrogenated nitrile Butadiene, Acrylonitrile copolymer Similar to NBR but with improved chemical resistance and higher service temperature Ozone, ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons
CO, ECO Epichlorohydrin Epichlorohydrin polymer and copolymer Similar to nitrile with ozone resistance Ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons
CR Neoprene Chloroprene polymer Moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, oils, fats, greases, many oils, and solvents Strong oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons
CSM   Chlorosulfonated polyethylene Similar to Neoprene with improved acid and ozone resistance Concentrated oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons
CM, CPE Tyrin® Chlorinated polyethylene Similar to Neoprene with improved acid and ozone resistance Concentrated oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons
AU, EU Urethane Urethane polymer Ozone, hydrocarbons, moderate chemicals, fats, oils, greases Concentrated acids, ketones, esters, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons
T Polysulfide Organic polysulfide polymer Ozone, oils, solvents, thinners, ketones, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons Mercaptons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, nitro hydrocarbons, ethers, amines, hetercocyclics
Si, VMQ Silicone Organic silicone polymer Moderate or oxidizing chemicals, ozone, concentrated sodium hydroxide Many solvents, oils, concentrated acids, dilute sodium hydroxide
FSI, FVMQ Fluorosilicone Fluorinated organic silicone polymer Moderate or oxidizing chemicals, ozone, aromatic chlorinated solvents, bases Brake fluids, hydrazine, ketones
TFE/P Tetrafluoroethylene/ Propylene Fluorinated copolymer Steam, amines and amine corrosion inhibitors, caustics, high pH media, wet sour gas, oil Aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, ethers, limited in low temperatures
ACM Polyacrylate Copolymer of acrylic ester and acrylic halide Ozone, extreme pressure, lubricants, hot oils, petroleum solvents, animal and vegetable fats Water, alcohols, glycols alkali, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, phenol
AEM Ethylene acrylic Elastomer Copolymer of ethylene, methyl acrylate (peroxide curable). Terpolymer contains cure site monomer Weather, ozone, hydrocarbon lubricants/greases, hydraulic fluids Aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, gasoline, ketones
FKM #1 Fluoroelastomer Standard fluorocarbon dipolymer 66% fluorine All aliphatic, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, acids, animal and vegetable oils Ketones, low molecular weight esters and alcohols and nitro-containing compounds
FKM #2 Fluoroelastomer Standard or specialty type fluorocarbon. Typically, >66% fluorine Same as FKM#2. Greater chemical resistance Ketones, low molecular weight esters and nitro-containing compounds
FFKM Perfluoroelastomer Fully fluorinated fluorocarbon Best fluid resistance of any elastomer Fluorocarbon-containing refrigerants cause minor effects