When it comes to designing high-performance rubber and silicone components, selecting the right material is everything. At Northwest Rubber Extruders, we take material selection seriously, and our Elastomeric Material Selection Guide provides a clear and thoughtful roadmap to help engineers, designers, and OEMs make informed choices.
Understanding Your Application: The Starting Point
Before diving into specific materials, NW Rubber Extruders encourages you to define the key service conditions and design requirements your part will face. Here are some of the questions they suggest you consider:
- Service Conditions
- Will your part be under static or dynamic stress?
- What fluids or chemicals might it encounter (including additives)?
- What’s the temperature range during operation?
- Are there pressure extremes?
- Will your part compress, twist, or deflect during use?
- Does it need to function under vacuum or cyclic vacuum conditions?
- Will your part be under static or dynamic stress?
- Design Requirements
- What are the dimensional tolerances?
- Does the shape need to be specialized, for example, a gasket, a seal, or a vibration isolator?
- How long should the part last (its service life)?
- Are there manufacturing or assembly constraints?
- Do you have regulatory or certification requirements (e.g., Mil-Spec, ASTM)?
- What are the dimensional tolerances?
- Quality Requirements
- Which material standards or specs must you meet (SAE, ASTM, MiL, etc.)?
- Do you need lot sampling, full inspection, or test reports?
- Are visual or color constraints important?
- Will you require documentation, test slabs, or certification?
- Which material standards or specs must you meet (SAE, ASTM, MiL, etc.)?
Thinking through these questions up front allows you to align your performance needs with the right elastomer.
A Closer Look at Key Elastomer Types
NW Rubber Extruders breaks down common elastomer materials, highlighting where they shine—and where they may fall short. Here are some of the main materials they cover:
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Common Uses | Temperature Range* |
| Butadiene (BR) / SBR | Good water and brake fluid resistance; cost-effective | Weak against petroleum oils and solvents; limited weather resistance | Tires, general-purpose industrial parts | −50 °F to 212 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Ethylene-Propylene (EPDM) | Outstanding weather, heat, and chemical resistance | Not great with petroleum oils | Outdoor seals, automotive cooling systems | −60 °F to 300 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Fluorocarbon Elastomer (FKM) | Excellent chemical and heat resistance | High cost; weak at low temps; sensitive to ketones | Fuel system seals, high-temp environments | 5 °F to 390 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) | Wide temperature range and chemical stability | Poor abrasion resistance; high friction | Aerospace, medical, electrical | −75 °F to 450 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Natural Rubber (NR) | Excellent tear resistance and resilience | Weak against oil and weathering | Automotive, food-grade seals | −60 °F to 220 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Neoprene (CR) | Good chemical and weather resistance; stable | Moderate water and solvent resistance | Refrigeration, general industrial use | −40 °F to 250 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Nitrile / Buna-N (NBR) | Great oil and tear resistance | Poor weathering | Fuel systems, industrial oil seals | −20 °F to 210 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| General Purpose Silicone (VMQ) | Extremely wide temperature range, low odor | Not abrasion-resistant; poor chemical resistance | Aerospace, electrical, medical | −75 °F to 450 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV) | Flexible, weather-resistant, recyclable | Chemical resistance limited; moderate temps | Automotive, medical, consumer devices | −75 °F to 210 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Kraton® G (SEBS/SEPS) | Excellent for weathering and low-temp water applications | Weak vs. hydrocarbons and high heat | Footwear, medical devices | −80 °F to 160 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| Flexible PVC | Good water and acid/base resistance; cost-effective | Low solvent resistance | Wire insulation, general industrial | −20 °F to 180 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
| High Molecular Weight PVC (HMPVC) | Strong UV resistance, high tear strength | Poor at high temperature compression | Marine, cable insulation | −58 °F to 220 °F NW Rubber Extruders |
*Temperature ranges are based on typical operating conditions. Always verify with specific material datasheets.
How NW Rubber Extruders Helps
At Northwest Rubber Extruders, the material selection guide isn’t just a reference; it’s a foundation of their engineering support. They combine this technical approach with:
- In-house expertise to make material recommendations
- Custom molding and extrusion capabilities across many elastomers, NW Rubber Extruders+1
- Quality assurance backed by ISO 9001, AS 9100, and IATF 16949 certifications NW Rubber Extruders
Whether you’re designing for automotive, aerospace, construction, or other demanding industries, NW Rubber Extruders provides not only the materials but also the insight to pick the right one.
Final Thoughts: Prioritizing Performance & Longevity
Choosing the right elastomer is more than picking a “rubber that works.” It’s about aligning material characteristics to application demands, temperature, chemicals, mechanical stress, and more. Our guide provides both the big picture and detailed data, helping you make informed decisions that boost performance, reduce costs, and extend the life of your part.