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 NBR with ozone resistance

Ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons

CR

Neopreneâ

Chloroprene polymer

Moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, fats, greases, many oils and solvents

Strong oxidizing acids, ketones, esters,  chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons

CSM

Hypalonâ

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene

Similar to Neoprene with improved acid and ozone resistance

Concentrated oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons

CM, CPE

Tyrinâ

Chlorinated polyethylene

Similar to Neoprene with improved acid and ozone resistance

Concentrated oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons

T

Polysulfide

Organic Polysulfide polymer

Ozone, oils, solvents, thinners, esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons

Mercaptons, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons, esters, amines, hetercocyclics

SI, VQM

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, aromatics 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, alcohol, glycols, alkali, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons,  halogenated hydrocarbons, phenol

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 nitrogen containing compounds

FKM#2

Fluoroelastomer

Standard or special type fluorocarbon.

Typically >66% fluorine

Same as FKM #1. 

Greater chemical resistance 

Ketones, low molecular weight esters and nitrogen containing compounds

Zalakâ

Proprietary fluorocarbon

Greater resistance to acid, base, alcohol, amine and esters than FKM

Nitrogen containing compounds

FFKM

Perfluoroelastomer

Fully fluorinated fluorocarbon

Best fluid resistance of any elastomer

Fluorocarbon containing refrigerants cause minor effects

Thermoplastics

AU, EU

Urethane

Urethane polymer

Ozone, hydrocarbons, moderate chemicals, fats, oils and greases

Concentrated acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons and hot water

PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene

Nearly inert

Metallic sodium, fluorocarbon containing refrigerants cause minor swelling

UHMW

Ultra High Molecular Weight

Polyethylene

Water, oils, weak acids, alcohols

Ethers, ozone, strong acids, toluene, turpentine, vinyl acetate and chlorinated solvents

PA

Nylon

Polyamide

Oils, esters, ketones hydrocarbons

Hydroscopic, acids and alcohols

PK

Polyketone

PEEK

Polyetheretherketone

Alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, bases, esters, hydrocarbons, oils.

Strong acids, halogens, phenol and sodium