What are the common rubbers
🕙 2024-09-30 👆
Rubber is a versatile material used in a wide range of applications, and there are several types of rubber with different properties and uses. Here are some of the most common types of rubber:
1. Natural Rubber (NR)
· Source: Derived from the latex of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis).
· Properties: Highly elastic, excellent tensile strength, and good abrasion resistance.
· Applications: Used in tires, footwear, industrial belts, hoses, and medical products.
· Limitations: Poor resistance to oils, solvents, and ozone. Limited temperature resistance.
2. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
· Source: A synthetic rubber made from styrene and butadiene.
· Properties: Good abrasion resistance, relatively low cost, and excellent bonding to other materials.
· Applications: Used in car tires, conveyor belts, shoe soles, and gaskets.
· Limitations: Not resistant to oils, fuels, or high temperatures.
3. Nitrile Rubber (NBR, Buna-N)
· Source: Made from acrylonitrile and butadiene.
· Properties: Excellent oil and fuel resistance, good abrasion resistance, and flexibility.
· Applications: Used in fuel hoses, O-rings, seals, gaskets, and gloves.
· Limitations: Poor ozone and weather resistance, limited flexibility at low temperatures.
4. Chloroprene Rubber (CR, Neoprene)
· Source: A synthetic rubber made from chloroprene.
· Properties: Good weather, ozone, and flame resistance, as well as moderate oil resistance.
· Applications: Used in automotive components, wetsuits, hoses, seals, and conveyor belts.
· Limitations: Not as oil-resistant as nitrile rubber, and can degrade in certain chemicals.
5. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
· Source: Made from ethylene, propylene, and a diene component.
· Properties: Excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, UV, water, and high temperatures. Good flexibility.
· Applications: Used in seals, gaskets, roofing membranes, hoses, and automotive parts.
· Limitations: Poor resistance to oils and solvents.
6. Silicone Rubber (Q, VMQ)
· Source: Made from silicone polymers.
· Properties: Outstanding heat resistance, flexibility at low temperatures, and biocompatibility. Good resistance to ozone and UV radiation.
· Applications: Used in medical devices, food-grade products, cookware, automotive gaskets, and electronics.
· Limitations: Poor mechanical strength and resistance to fuels and solvents.
7. Butyl Rubber (IIR)
· Source: Made from isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene.
· Properties: Excellent impermeability to gases, good resistance to heat, chemicals, and aging.
· Applications: Used in inner tubes, pharmaceutical closures, seals, and gaskets.
· Limitations: Poor resistance to oils and hydrocarbons.
8. Fluorocarbon Rubber (FKM, Viton)
· Source: A type of synthetic rubber made from fluorocarbon polymers.
· Properties: Excellent resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, fuels, and oils. High durability.
· Applications: Used in aerospace, automotive, chemical processing seals, and O-rings.
· Limitations: Expensive and may degrade in low temperatures.
9. Polyurethane Rubber (AU, EU)
· Source: Made from urethane-based polymers.
· Properties: Excellent abrasion resistance, toughness, and durability.
· Applications: Used in wheels, bushings, rollers, and seals.
· Limitations: Limited heat and chemical resistance.
10. Hypalon (CSM)
· Source: A synthetic rubber made from chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
· Properties: Excellent resistance to chemicals, UV, ozone, and abrasion.
· Applications: Used in industrial lining, cables, roofing membranes, and chemical hoses.
· Limitations: Production of Hypalon has been discontinued, though existing materials are still in use.
Summary
· Natural Rubber (NR): Excellent elasticity, but limited chemical resistance.
· SBR: Economical, used in tires and gaskets.
· Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Oil-resistant, used in fuel systems and seals.
· Neoprene (CR): Weather and flame resistant, used in wetsuits and seals.
· EPDM: Weather-resistant, used in automotive and roofing applications.
· Silicone: Heat-resistant, used in food-grade and medical products.
· Butyl (IIR): Gas-resistant, used in inner tubes and seals.
· Fluorocarbon (FKM): Chemical and heat-resistant, used in aerospace.
· Polyurethane (PU): Abrasion-resistant, used in wheels and rollers.
· Hypalon (CSM): Chemical-resistant, used in industrial applications (discontinued).
Each type of rubber has unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications, depending on the required temperature resistance, chemical compatibility, and durability.
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