Technical Rubber and Its Applications – A Guide to Different Types
Technical rubber is a highly versatile material known for its excellent elasticity and durability. It is widely used in both industrial and domestic applications.
Its wide range of applications includes the production of:
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O-rings
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rubber mats
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rubber sheets
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hoses
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vibration isolators
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rubber bumpers
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sealing cords
Types of Technical Rubber
Technical rubber is a commonly used material across nearly every industry. It can be divided into three main categories:
General-purpose elastomers:
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Natural rubber (NR)
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Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
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Neoprene (CR)
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EPDM rubber
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Nitrile rubber (NBR)
High-performance elastomers:
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Methyl vinyl silicone (VMQ)
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Phenyl silicone (PVMQ)
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Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
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Fluoroelastomer (FKM)
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Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)
Speciality materials:
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Hypalon® (CSM)
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Vamac® (AEM)
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Polyacrylate rubber (ACM)
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Carboxylated NBR (XNBR)
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Butyl rubber (IIR)
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Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)
Why Use Technical Rubber?
Each type of rubber exhibits distinct physical characteristics. They can resist corrosive chemicals, water, steam, extreme temperatures, and more. Technical rubber is used to manufacture items such as conveyor belts, ribbed rubber flooring, workshop mats, and industrial seals.
Read on to explore examples of popular rubber types, their key properties, and typical applications.
Technical Rubber Applications
Silicone Rubber
Silicone rubber is a high-performance synthetic elastomer composed of silicon, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is known for its outstanding temperature resistance, chemical compatibility, and reliability in demanding industrial conditions.
There are many types of silicone rubber, including metal-detectable grades, FDA-approved food-contact silicone, and sponge silicone.
Why choose silicone rubber?
Thermal stability:
Retains properties from –60°C to +260°C, and can briefly withstand as low as –115°C. Ideal for aerospace, automotive, and construction industries.
Physical performance:
Highly elastic, low compression set, with variations in tensile strength depending on the grade.
FDA-compliant:
Approved for direct contact with food and drinking water. Odourless, tasteless, biocompatible – commonly used in medical devices, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
Resilience:
Withstands exposure to water, steam, petroleum-based fluids, ozone, UV, and harsh weather.
Long-term durability:
Does not degrade or lose performance under prolonged exposure to UV, ozone, ionising radiation, or weather extremes.
Other advantages:
Excellent electrical insulation, water resistance, and mechanical stability. Remains unaffected even when submerged in water.
Industries:
Aerospace, defence, rail, food & beverage, catering, electronics, medical, construction, consumer goods.
EPDM Rubber
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is known for its excellent resistance to heat (–50°C to +120°C), ozone, UV exposure, and ageing. It is also electrically insulating.
It is compatible with diluted acids and alkalis, alcohol, brake fluids, and more. EPDM resists tearing under high temperatures and performs well under hot water and pressurised steam.
EPDM is widely used for outdoor and weather-exposed applications and offers a cost-effective alternative to silicone rubber.
Common uses:
HVAC systems, automotive seals, cable insulation, waterproof membranes, O-rings, mats, and gaskets.
Industries:
Construction (roof membranes, waterproof seals), automotive (window/boot seals), aerospace (vibration dampening components), electrical engineering.
SBR Rubber
Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is produced via emulsion polymerisation of styrene and butadiene.
Key benefits:
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Excellent abrasion and wear resistance
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High impact strength
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Strong tensile and tear resistance
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Good flexibility, even in low temperatures
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Moderate chemical resistance
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Water, air, and steam resistance
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Good electrical insulation
SBR is a cost-efficient material mainly used for tyre production, seals, hoses, cable insulation, and conveyor belts. It is not suitable for use with oils or greases.
Applications:
Construction (sealants), HVAC systems, water installations, car engine seals, electrical insulation, footwear soles.
Nitrile Rubber (NBR / Buna-N)
NBR is a synthetic rubber copolymer made from acrylonitrile and butadiene. It offers excellent oil and fuel resistance, as well as high tensile strength.
Key properties:
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Low compression set
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Strong abrasion resistance
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Operating temperature: –40°C to +120°C
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Outstanding oil and hydrocarbon resistance
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Long-term performance under demanding conditions
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Water-resistant
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Low gas permeability
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Good electrical conductivity due to polarity
Uses:
Automotive (air intake hoses, coolant hoses), aerospace (fuel seals, fluid systems), medical (nitrile gloves), footwear (insoles), oil & gas, hydraulics, marine, cable protection.
Neoprene (CR)
Neoprene is a general-purpose elastomer valued for its self-extinguishing properties. It features strong elasticity and resistance to cracking and abrasion.
Other advantages:
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Flame-retardant
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Low gas permeability
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Strong rubber-to-metal bonding
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Good mechanical strength
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Operates in –35°C to +100°C
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Weather, UV, and ozone resistant
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Oil and chemical resistant
Typical applications:
Drive belts, fan hoses, window seals, adhesives, cable insulation, shipbuilding, mining, construction.
Natural Rubber (NR)
Natural rubber is ideal for high-wear and high-heat applications. It is highly elastic and biodegradable, with excellent tensile strength.
Key benefits:
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Excellent wear resistance
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Flexible at low temperatures
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Waterproof
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Hypoallergenic
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UV- and weather-resistant
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Vibration-dampening
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Resistant to oils, fuels, refrigerants, solvents, ammonia, steam
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Broad working temperature range
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Electrically insulating
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Easy to process
Applications:
Engineering (anti-vibration mounts, bumpers), automotive (tyres, seals, brake pads), flooring in public spaces, medical tubing, surgical equipment.
FKM / Viton®
Viton® (FKM) is a fluoroelastomer known for its resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and fuels – making it ideal for high-demand sealing applications.
Advantages:
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Withstands –20°C to +250°C
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Resistant to acids, fuels, silicone oils, solvents, gases
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Low compression set
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Low gas permeability
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UV and ozone resistant
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FDA-compliant and sterilisation-resistant
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Excellent sealing properties and strength
Applications:
Fuel system gaskets, engine seals, chemical transport hoses, pharmaceutical tubing, oil and gas pipelines, industrial machinery.
HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber)
HNBR is an upgraded version of nitrile rubber with improved oil and chemical resistance and excellent mechanical strength.
Key characteristics:
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Excellent resistance to oils, fuels, steam, ozone
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High tensile and tear strength
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Low compression set
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Good flexibility at low temperatures
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Thermal stability from –40°C to +150°C
Industries:
Automotive (engine seals, AC systems), oil and gas drilling, medical and sanitary seals, dairy and food processing.
HNBR is used in hoses, timing belts, static seals, membranes, and O-rings.
Technical Rubber Products Available from Power Rubber
At Power Rubber, we offer high-quality technical rubber products made from both natural and synthetic rubber. Our rubber is vulcanised to achieve optimal performance. Depending on the additives used (e.g. plasticisers, flame retardants), the final product can be tailored to specific requirements.
Thanks to modern production technologies, we can manufacture rubber elements to precise specifications based on their intended working environment.
For more information about our range of technical rubber materials, please contact our Sales Department. Our experienced specialists will assist you in selecting the best material for your application.
Contact:
Telephone: +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 16 03 03
Email: Power@PowerRubber.com
Contact form: available on our website
