Natural and Synthetic Rubber

Rubber Compounds

A wide range of natural and synthetic rubber types is available. The trade names listed here are just a selection of the numerous products available on the market. The vulcanizate properties specified are general characteristics and are not guaranteed.

Name
(chemical identity)		 Abbr. as per ASTM Common name
(examples)		 Properaties of vulcanized material/polymer Application examples
Natural rubber
(cis-1,4-polyisoprene from biosynthesis)		 NR
  • SMR
  • SLR
  • NAT
  • SIR
  • TSR
  • RSS
  • Pale crepe
  • Neorub
 General purpose rubber with balanced physical properties. Resistant to aging and weathering only if sufficiently stabilized. Tires, conveyor belts, all types of molded parts
Isoprene rubber
(synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene)		 IR
  • Natsyn
  • Nipol IR
  • SKI-3
 same as NR same as NR
Butadiene rubber
or polybutadiene (polybutadiene)		 BR
  • Buna CIS
  • Kumho KBR
  • Buna CB
  • Europrene Neocis
 General purpose rubber used almost exclusively in rubber blends. High elasticity, wear resistance and low-temperature flexibility. Blend components: applications similar to those of NR
Styrene butadiene rubber
(copolymers of butadiene/styrene)		 SBR
  • Buna SB
  • Hipren EM
  • Petroflex SBR
  • KER
 Commonly used general purpose rubber. Resistant to aging and weathering only if sufficiently stabilized. Tires, conveyor belts, molded and extruded parts
Chloroprene
(trans-1,4-polychlorobutadiene)		 CR
  • Chloroprene
  • Neoprene
  • Baypren
 Rubber with relatively high resistance to flame, weathering and aging. Moderate resistance to oil and fuel. Conveyor belts, V-belts, molded and extruded parts
Nitrile rubber
(copolymers of butadiene/acrylonitrile)		 NBR
  • Europrene N
  • Krynac
  • Perbunan N/NT
  • Nipol DN
  • Nitriflex N
  • Kumho KNB
 High swell resistance to oil, grease and fuel. Resistance properties, elasticity and low-temperature flexibility depends on acrylonitrile content. There are also hydrogenated types (HNBR) with high resistance to ozone and aging. Oil-, grease- and fuel-resistant parts, roller coatings, hoses
EPDM rubber
(terpolymers of ethylene/propylene and diene components)		 EPDM
  • Keltan
  • Dutral TER
  • Nordel IP
  • Vistalon
  • Royalene
  • Nitriflex EP
 High resistance to aging, weathering and heat. High resistance to hot water, steam, detergents and washing agents. Molded and extruded parts
Ethylene acrylic rubber
 AEM
  • Vamac
  • Denka AR
 Average mechanical properties, very good resistance to aging and weathering. Low swell in water, cooling liquids and paraffin oils. Seals, charge-air hoses
Butyl rubber
(copolymers of isobutylene and a small amount of isoprene)		 IIR
  • Butyl
 High air impermeability, damping properties, good heat resistance. There are also special halogenated types (BIIR, CIIR). Inner tubes for car and bicycle tires, spring elements
Chlorohydrin rubber
(polyepichlorohydrin, possibly copolymer with ethylene oxide)		 CO
ECO
  • Hydrin
  • Epichlomer
 High resistance to oil, grease, fuel, heat and oxygen. Oil-, grease- and fuel-resistant parts
Chlorosulfonated polyethylene
 CSM
  • Hypalon
  • Toso TS
 Similar to EPDM, but better swell resistance to oil, grease and fuel. High chemical resistance and flame-retardant. Molded and extruded parts, roller coatings, tank linings
Acrylate rubber
(polyacrylate)		 ACM
  • Hytemp
  • Noxtite
 Very good resistance to oil, grease and fuel, particularly to hypoid oil. Little flexibility at low temperatures. Molded parts
Fluor rubber
(copolymers of fluorinated compounds)		 FPM
  • Viton
  • Fluorel
  • Technoflon
 Expensive special rubber with very high resistance to chemicals and heat Molded parts, tank linings
Silicone rubber
(polymethylsiloxane, possibly with phenyl and/or vinyl side groups)		 M
MPQ
MVQ
  • Silopren
  • Silastic
 High resistance to aging, weathering and heat. Extremely resistant to cold. Modest resistance to oil and fuel. For use with foodstuffs, medical or pharmaceutical products