Material Specifications
ACM: Polyacrylate
Polyacrylate is a copolymer (ethyl acrylate) with exceptional resistance to petroleum fuels and oils. The automotive industry uses polyacrylate O-rings as seals in automatic transmissions and power steering designs. Resistant to flex cracking, polyacrylate also resists damage from oxygen, sunlight, and ozone. Though it is marginally more resistant to hot air than nitrile, polyacrylate falls short in strength and compression set resistance, as well as in resistance to water and low temperatures. Commonly used in transmissions and power steering units and applications where flex cracking is important.
Advantages: Good heat resistance, transmission fluid resistance
Disadvantages: Susceptible to oxygenated fluids, low temperature limitations, compression set and water resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7078 | 80 +/-5 | -40 | 230 | Friction reducers added. |
AU: Polyester Urethane (Urethane)
Polyurethane is the toughest, most extrusion-resistant and most abrasion-resistant of all elastomeric sealing materials. Polyurethane is also very resistant to explosive decompression and has excellent properties over a wide temperature range. Polyurethane O-rings are used in a wide variety of products, including quick-disconnect hydraulic fittings, hydraulic cylinders and valves, pneumatic tools, CO2 firearms, or for any application requiring extreme abrasion or extrusion resistance. Used on skate board wheels, molded gears, o-rings, etc.
Advantages: Excellent strength, abrasion and ozone resistance
Disadvantages: Poor aromatic fluid resistance, no brake fluids
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7149 | 50 +/-5 | -30 | 160 | General purpose | |
| 7150 | 70 +/-5 | -30 | 160 | General purpose | |
| 7148 | 80 +/-5 | -30 | 160 | General purpose |
CR: Polychloroprene (Neoprene)
Chloroprene exhibits medium heat and oil resistance, excellent weather resistance, with a degree of flame resistance. It has a moderately broad range of service temperatures, good dynamic load bearing and strength properties. It was originally developed as an oil resistant substitute for natural rubber. Commonly used on CV joint type boots and bridge mounting pads.
Advantages: Toughness, moderate oil resistance, flame resistance, adhesion, outstanding resistance to damage caused by flexing and twisting
Disadvantages: Moderate ozone resistance, limited flexibility at low temperatures
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7143 | 35 +/-5 | -30 | 180 | General purpose | |
| 7142 | 50 +/-5 | -30 | 180 | General purpose | |
| 7145 | 55 +/-5 | -40 | 180 | General purpose, commonly used for tie rod boots | |
| 7139 | 60 +/-5 | -30 | 180 | General purpose, commonly used for inflatable seals | |
| 7147 | 65 +/-5 | -35 | 180 | General purpose | |
| 7146 | 70 +/-5 | -35 | 180 | UL recognized for swimming pool pumps, filters & chlorinators(includes hot tubs & spas) up to 60ºC | UL1081 |
| 7138 | 70 +/-5 | -35 | 180 | UL recognized for swimming pool pumps, filters & chlorinators (includes hot tubs & spas) up to 60ºC | UL1081 |
| 7151 | 80 +/-5 | -30 | 180 | General purpose, recommended for freon applications |
EPDM: Ethylene Proplyene Diene Terpolymer
EPDM is ideal for outdoor applications because of its excellent resistance to ozone, oxidants and severe weather conditions. Other outstanding characteristics of EPDM include heat resistance and dielectric qualities. EPDM offers many of the advantages of Chloroprene, at a lower cost. EPDM has excellent weather resistance but very poor resistance to petroleum oils. They have high tear, high tensile strength and excellent dynamic and low temp properties. Commonly used as roofing, radiator gaskets and hoses, brake components and pond liners.
Advantages: Low temperature properties, ozone resistance, water resistance, electrical properties
Disadvantages: Fuel and oil resistance, abrasion resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7161 | 50 +/-5 | -45 | 250 | General purpose | |
| 7172 | 55 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | NSF-61 | |
| 7175 | 60 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | General purpose | |
| 7173 | 65 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | NSF-61 | |
| 7176 | 70 +/-5 | -50 | 250 | General purpose | |
| 7180 | 70 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | FDA 21CFR177.2600 & 21CFR182.5991, USP Class 6 | |
| 7158 | 75 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | FDA 21CFR177.2600 & 21CFR182.5991 | |
| 7181 | 80 +/-5 | -50 | 250 | Approved for atomic energy applications | MIL-G-22050, GRADE 2 (sealing strips) |
| 7182 | 80 +/-5 | -50 | 250 | General purpose | |
| 7157 | 85 +/-5 | -40 | 250 | Friction reducers added |
FFKM: Perfluoro-elastomer (Kalrez®)
FFKM offers superior chemical compatibility coupled with outstanding steam resistance. It’s resistant to almost every chemical compound, including fuels, ketones, esters, alkalines, alcohols, aldehydes and both organic and inorganic acids. They feature both the chemical resistance of Teflon® and the high temperature stability of a fluoroelastomer like Viton®. Resistant to over 1,600 solvents, chemicals, and plasmas, they exhibit minimal swell and can function in almost any chemical or petrochemical situation. Most commonly seen in oilfield exploration and refining industries as well as chemical processing and pharmaceutical mixing. Kalrez® is a registered trademark of DuPont.
Advantages: These are extreme elastomers that will perform in extreme conditions
Disadvantages: High cost
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7193 | 85 +/-10 | -4 | 550 | High temperature applications |
FKM: Fluorocarbon (Viton®)
Fluorocarbon elastomers make excellent general-purpose seals due to their exceptional resistance to chemicals, oil, and temperature extremes. They usually have good compression set resistance, low gas permeability and resistance to ozone and sunlight. FKM compounds are commonly used in the automotive, appliance, fluid power and chemical processing industries; high temp oil seals, fuel filters and diaphragms. Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont.
Advantages: Great heat resistance, excellent permeation to fuels, inertness to many chemicals
Disadvantages: High cost, not very good low temp. flexibility
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7005 | 65 +/-5 | -15 | 400 | General purpose | |
| 7002 | 70 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | FDA 21CFR177.2600 & 21CFR182.5991 | |
| 7001 | 75 +/-5 | -40 | 400 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7003 | 75 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | Approved for atomic energy applications | MIL-R-83248 Type 1, Class 1 |
| 7024 | 75 +/-5 | -10 | 400 | Recommended for high speed aircraft applications | Government S188 |
| 7028 | 75 +/-5 | -65 | 400 | Good low temperature capabilities | MIL-S-45005 |
| 7023 | 75 +/-5 | -15 | 400 | UL-778 max 56ºC rise, NSF-61max use temperature 23ºC max | |
| 7018 | 80 +/-5 | -15 | 400 | UL157 (LPG, etc.), UL430 (disposers to 105ºC), UL778 (water pumps to 105ºC), UL1081 (swimming pool pumps, etc.), FDA code21CFR177.2600, 21CFR182.5991,21CFR184.1205, 3A-Sanitary Class I | |
| 7019 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | MIL-R-83248 Type 1, Class 1 | |
| 7030 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | General purpose | |
| 7033 | 85 +/-5 | -15 | 400 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7035 | 85 +/-5 | -15 | 400 | General purpose | |
| 7031 | 85 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | UL157 Gasoline, gasoline/alcohol blends (ethanol & methanol) up to 20%, diesel fuel, kerosene, naptha, lubrication oils, fuel oils at ambient temperatures, fuel oil #6 up to 250ºF | |
| 7015 | 90 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | Recommended for aerospace applications | MIL-R-83248 Type 1, Class 2 |
FXM: Tetrafluoroethylene Propylene (Aflas®)
This family of elastomers is a cousin to the fluorocarbons (FKM’s). They provide a unique combination of chemical, heat and electrical resistance. Chemically, they resist acids and bases, as well as steam, amine-based corrosion inhibitors, hydraulic fluids, alcohol and petroleum fluids. They are also resistant to ozone and weather. It retains its remarkable chemical resistance even in high temperatures, and tests have shown that electrical resistance actually improves with heat exposure. Commonly used in sour gas oilfield applications as well as base resistant applications. Aflas® is a registered trademark of the Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
Advantages: Physical properties do well at high temperatures, chemical resistance
Disadvantages: Not a good low temperature material
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7008 | 75 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | General purpose | |
| 7021 | 85 +/-5 | -20 | 400 | General purpose |
HNBR: Hydrogenated Acrylonitrile
Compounded HNBR yields high tensile properties, low compression set, good low temperature properties, heat resistance, excellent ozone resistance, good resistance to aggressive oils, resistance to crude oil in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and amines and resistance to alkaline and oxidizing media. HNBR is used in fuel parts due to its increased resistance to sour gasoline and ozone and oil line parts thanks to its resistance to elevated temperatures, oil additives and copper-containing metal sludge. HNBR is also used in automotive air conditioning systems. It’s commonly used in a variety of automotive (oil, fuel, and ac) and oilfield applications.
Advantages: Good fuel and petroleum resistance, heat, and inertness to many chemicals
Disadvantages: Higher cost that NBR
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7107 | 65 +/-5 | -20 | 300 | General purpose | |
| 7106 | 70 +/-5 | -20 | 300 | General purpose | |
| 7108 | 75 +/-5 | -15 | 300 | General purpose | |
| 7068 | 80 +/-5 | -40 | 300 | General purpose | |
| 7114 | 90 +/-5 | -10 | 300 | General purpose, high wear and extrusion resistance |
IIR: Butyl
Butyl has extremely low permeability characteristics. They are resistant to heat, ozone, oxygen attack, and oxygenated fluids. Commonly used as vibration mounts, inner tubes, bladders and vacuum seals.
Advantages: Heat resistance, vibration dampening, low permeability to gases
Disadvantages: Low temperature limitations, fuel and oil resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7147 | 85 +/-5 | -75 | 250 | General purpose |
NBR: Acrylonitrile Butadiene (Nitrile, Buna-N)
Nitrile compounds are superior to most other elastomers with regard to high tensile strength, as well as excellent abrasion, tear and compression set resistance. Nitriles also have very good aging properties under severe operating conditions. They do not have good resistance to ozone, sunlight, or weathering. They have a good resistance to petroleum based fluid. Commonly used in oil seals, gaskets, fuel systems and hoses.
Advantages: Good oil resistance, good fluid resistance, moderate temp. resistance, good in water up to 212ºF
Disadvantages: Doesn’t perform well in strong acids, brake fluids, and some hydraulic fluids
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7067 | 50 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | General purpose | |
| 7053 | 60 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | Recommended for laundry and dishwasher applications as well as hot tubs and spas | UL 157- fuel oils at ambient temperatures. UL 430 – electric waste disposers up to 60ºC max. |
| 7121 | 60 +/-5 | -35 | 225 | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 & 21CFR182.5991 | |
| 7118 | 60 +/-5 | -25 | 225 | Recommended for some piston cups | UL157 LP Gas, Gasoline, Naptha, Kerosene, Fuel Oils at ambient temperature |
| 7056 | 65 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | Recommended for ethylene glycol applications | UL recognized. UL 157- fuel oils at ambient temperatures. UL 430 – electric waste disposers up to 60ºC max. |
| 7093 | 65 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | NSF-51, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 With exception to milk and edible oils & 21CFR182.5991. | |
| 7124 | 65 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | UL 1081- swimming pool pumps, filters & chlorinators (includes hot tubs & spas) up to 60ºC max. | |
| 7113 | 65 +/-5 | -35 | 225 | UL 157- fuel oils at ambient temperatures. UL 430 – electric waste disposers up to 60ºC max.UL 157- laundry & dishwasher applications. UL 778 – motor operated water pumps up to 60ºCmax. UL 1081- swimming pool pumps, filters & chlorinators. Includes hot tubs & spas up to 60ºCmax. Hydrogen sulfide, 1% max. at ambient temperatures. | |
| 7074 | 70 +/-5 | -50 | 225 | MIL-R-6855-C | |
| 7094 | 70 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7127 | 70 +/-5 | -65 | 225 | MIL-R-7362D T1 | |
| 7076 | 70 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | Friction reducers added | FDA compliant |
| 7116 | 70 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | NFS-61 | |
| 7029 | 75 +/-5 | -20 | 225 | UL-157 – gasoline, kerosene & naphta at ambient temperatures | |
| 7130 | 75 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | General purpose | |
| 7131 | 75 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7090 | 75 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 With exception to milk and edible oils. | |
| 7091 | 75 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | General purpose | |
| 7059 | 80 +/-5 | -65 | 275 | MIL-P-83461B | |
| 7080 | 80 +/-5 | -25 | 225 | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | |
| 7135 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 225 | UL 157 classification – fuel oils at ambient temperatures | |
| 7136 | 80 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | General purpose | FDA compliant |
| 7137 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 225 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7138 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 225 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7079 | 80 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | MIL-R-6855 Class 1 Grade 80 | |
| 7145 | 95 +/-5 | -40 | 225 | Homogenizers only, FDA recognized for food service |
PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®)
PTFE is know for its low friction characteristics which reduces heat in dynamic applications. It is also chemically inert in most chemicals and solvents. PTFE can handle a wide range of temperature without heat aging. Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont.
Advantages: Low coefficient of friction for high speed applications
Disadvantages: Poor extrusion resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7192 | 65 Shore D |
-200 | 550 | Friction reducers added |
SBR: Butadiene Styrene
Generally a low cost, general purpose copolymer. It has good abrasion resistance and limited high temperature performance. SBR offers little resistance to oils and chemicals. SBR must be specially compounded to provide resistance to ozone, sunlight and heat. Commonly used as mounts, food & appliance seals, grommets and tires.
Advantages: Cost, abrasion resistance, adhesion
Disadvantages: Oil resistance, ozone resistance, moderate service temperatures
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7146 | 50 +/-5 | -70 | 225 | General purpose |
VMQ: Silicone
In addition to being generally inert, silicones are odorless, tasteless, non-toxic and fungus resistant. They also have great flexibility retention and low compression set. Silicones are not well-suited for dynamic use due to their high friction characteristics, low abrasion resistance and poor tear and tensile strength. Though they can be utilized in high aniline point oils, silicones are considered non-resistant to petroleum oils. Silicones swell considerably in both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fuels unless a special compound is formulated. Silicones are also very gas permeable. Silicone is ideally suited for many automotive, appliance, electrical/electronic and aerospace custom rubber requirements where resistance to both high and low temperature extremes are involved. They are used in medical devices, gaskets and many sealing applications.
Advantages: Ozone resistance, service temperature range, low compression set, electrical properties
Disadvantages: Attacked by fuels and oils (extreme swell), low strength, low abrasion resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7187 | 50 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7183 | 55 +/-5 | -65 | 400 | MIL-R 5847 Class 1B-50 | |
| 7190 | 70 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | FDA (GRAS), CFR 21 Chapter 1 parts 170-199, requirements for food | |
| 7184 | 80 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | FDA compliant | |
| 7188 | 80 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7189 | 80 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | FDA 21CFR177.2600 | |
| 7191 | 80 +/-5 | -65 | 350 | General purpose |
XNBR: Carboxylic Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Carboxylated nitriles are harder, tougher compounds with higher abrasion resistance, modulus and tensile strength than standard nitriles. On the down side, carboxylated nitriles are less flexible at low temperatures and less resilient than non-carboxylated compounds. Commonly used in hydraulic packings and cups where the added abrasion resistance is needed.
Advantages: Added abrasion resistance
Disadvantages: Reduced water resistance
| Material Code | Hardness Shore A | Lower Temperature Limit (ºF) | Upper Temperature Limit (ºF) | Comments | Specifications Met |
| 7132 | 75 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | General purpose | |
| 7058 | 80 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7101 | 80 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | |
| 7069 | 80 +/-5 | -20 | 200 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7063 | 83 +/-5 | -30 | 225 | Abrasion resistant with friction reducers added | |
| 7066 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | General purpose | |
| 7075 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7139 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | High extrusion resistance | |
| 7140 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | High extrusion and wear resistance | |
| 7142 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7144 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | Friction reducers added | |
| 7143 | 90 +/-5 | -40 | 200 | Friction reducers added |
