Chemical Resistance Rubbers Elastomers
Reference data and engineering information about chemical resistance rubbers elastomers for material properties applications.
Overview
Engineering reference data for Chemical Resistance Rubbers Elastomers in material science and properties.
Key Formulas
Stress
Force per unit area.
Strain
Change in length per original length.
Hooke's Law
Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.
Thermal Expansion
Length change due to temperature.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Pa | |
| Strain | — | |
| Young's modulus | Pa | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 1/°C | |
| Temperature change | °C |
Rubber/Elastomer | Chemical Name & Commercial Names | Resistant To | Softened/Solvent Resistance | Swelled By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyisoprene | Natural/Synthetic Rubber (NR, IR) | Acetone, Acids, Alkalies, Alcohols | Carbon disulfide, Ketones, Petroleum products, Vegetable oils | Carbon disulfide, Petroleum products, Vegetable oils |
| Butadiene | BR, Cis-4 | Glycerol, Glycol, Acids, Alkalies, Weathering, Aging | Carbon disulfide, Hexane, Turpentine, Petroleum products | Acetone, Petroleum products, Vegetable oils |
| Styrene-butadiene | Buna S, SBR, GR-S | Glycerol, Glycol, Acids, Alcohols, Salts, Oxidation | Ketones, Petroleum products, Aromatics, Vegetable oils | Petroleum products, Vegetable oils |
| Acrylonitrile butadiene | Nitrile, Buna N, Hycar, NBR, GR-A | Glycerol, Glycol, Acids, Ketones, Alcohols, Petroleum products, Salts, Heat, Vegetable oils, Weathering | Carbon tetrachloride, Ketones, Bitumen, Aromatics | Acetone, Phenol, Turpentine |
| Polychloroprene | Neoprene, CR, GR-M | Glycerol, Glycol, Alcohols, Petroleum products, Salts, Heat, UV light, Vegetable oils, Weathering, Aging, Ozone | Acetone, Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Carbon disulfide, Acids, Turpentine, Aromatics | Carbon tetrachloride, Carbon disulfide, Turpentine, Aromatics |
| Isobutylene-isoprene | Butyl, IIR, GR-I | Phenol, Glycerol, Glycol, Alkalies, Salts, UV light, Vegetable oils, Weathering, Oxidation, Aging, Ozone | Carbon disulfide, Petroleum products | Carbon disulfide, Hexane, Petroleum products |
| Polysulfide | Thiokol, PS, GR-P | Alcohols, Petroleum products, UV light, Ozone | Carbon tetrachloride | Carbon tetrachloride, Aromatics |
| Polyurethane | Adiprene, PU | Petroleum products, Vegetable oils, Oxidation, Ozone | Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Ketones, Aromatics |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Understanding Chemical Resistance
The table categorizes the behavior of elastomers when exposed to different chemicals. These properties are critical for material selection in sealing, lining, and other applications.
- Chemical Resistant to: Materials listed here show minimal degradation (e.g., hardening, cracking) when exposed to the specified chemicals.
- Solvent or Softener: These chemicals may cause the rubber to soften or lose mechanical strength, a different form of attack than swelling.
- Swelled by: Exposure causes absorption of the chemical, leading to an increase in volume (swelling). This can compromise seal integrity and mechanical properties.
The difference between "softened by" and "swelled by" is often in degree and mechanism. Swelling is primarily a physical absorption, while softening can involve more chemical interaction that breaks down the polymer structure. Material performance is highly dependent on concentration, temperature, and exposure time.