What are the different types of rubber?
The market offers a wide range of rubber materials, each with its own unique technical attributes. Choosing the right compound depends on the intended application and working environment. At Power Rubber, our expert knowledge allows us to offer a broad selection of industrial rubber compounds and products tailored to specific uses.
What is rubber?
Rubber is a highly elastic material mouldable into various shapes. It’s used in a wide array of industrial and household applications. Across different manufacturing methods—such as compression moulding or injection moulding—rubber exhibits a diverse range of physical properties. It may be natural rubber (derived from plant latex) or synthetic rubber created through chemical polymerisation processes.
Natural Rubber vs Synthetic Rubber
Natural rubber is usually extracted from the latex of rubber trees. This elastomer is renowned for its high stretchability and ability to return to its original shape. It is exceptionally resistant to tensile stress, tearing, and wear fatigue. As a biodegradable rubber, it’s widely used in the automotive, aerospace, oil, and gas sectors.
Synthetic rubber is produced by polymerising monomers in solution or emulsion, primarily using by-products from crude oil. It offers superior abrasion resistance compared to natural rubber and delivers functional advantages such as chemical resistance, tear and abrasion strength, and durability in extreme temperatures and UV exposure. It’s commonly found in the manufacture of car tyres, inner tubes, rubber sheets, seals, hoses, O‑rings, belts, flooring, and more.
Most popular types of technical rubber
All technical rubbers are vulcanised from base polymers, each with distinct characteristics. Common traits include elasticity, durability, and thermal contraction. Below are key rubber types, their features, and common uses.
Natural Rubber (NR)
NR is sourced from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis trees. It offers exceptional stretch, tensile strength, and fatigue resistance (against cuts, tears, and chipping). Natural rubber boasts impressive resilience, enabling it to return to its original form after deformation. It is also durable against abrasion, friction, and extreme temperatures, with effective vibration-damping properties.
Applications
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Tyre manufacturing
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Conveyor belts
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Gloves
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Medical devices
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Industrial & consumer items (hoses, pipes, seals, adhesives, flooring, anti-slip mats, roofing, damper mounts, balloons, toys, apparel, footwear)
Styrene‑Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
SBR is a synthetic rubber known for excellent ageing and wear resistance. It is highly robust, with strong mechanical and elastic properties.
Advantages
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Resistant to water and glycol swelling
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Durable against non-oil liquids—such as alcohols, water, fats
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Low compression set
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Excellent tensile, tear, and abrasion resistance
Applications
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Vibration damping, sealing, shock absorption
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Used in building, marine, tyre treads, shoe soles, electrical insulation, and anti-slip mats
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Suitable for hydraulic brake system seals
Ethylene‑Propylene‑Diene Monomer (EPDM)
EPDM excels in elasticity and long-term durability, with excellent resistance to atmospheric ageing and extreme temperatures. It maintains shape over time, resists UV light and ozone, and offers good electrical insulation and flexibility across temperature ranges.
Applications
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Construction: roofing membranes, sports surface rubber, playgrounds, terrace flooring
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Automotive: car seals, hose profiles, window and boot seals, tyres
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Industrial: O‑rings, electrical insulation, HVAC seals
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Marine: water‑proof seals
Optimised Technical Rubber Products at Power Rubber
We offer a wide range of rubber products crafted from specialised compounds designed for diverse industry needs. Whether you’re shopping for industrial rubber seals, hoses, or floor coverings, our expert team is ready to guide you.
Contact us today to explore the right rubber solution for your project.
📞 +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 50 516 03 03
📧 Power@PowerRubber.com or via our online enquiry form
