Since 1947 the ATAG production unit, certified ISO 9001, has been manufacturing drawn and molded elastomers in the most varied rubber compounds including:
- Neoprene
- NBR
- Viton®
- Silicone
- Epichlorohydrin
- EPDM
- NR
- Polyurethane
Do you know the characteristics of each rubber compound? Let’s see them together 👇🏻
Neoprene
Neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber, also known as polychloroprene. It was developed in the 1930s by a DuPont® chemist, Wallace Carothers.
The features:
- Good elasticity
- Resistance to cuts, abrasion and crushing
- Refractory to ageing, oxidation and UV rays
- Excellent heat and flame resistance (self-extinguishing)
- Inability to conduct electric current
- Inertia to chemical agents, oils, hydrocarbons and solvents
- Impermeability to air, ozone and many other gases
- Fair resistance to permanent deformation
- Fair dielectric properties
NBR
The characteristics of NBR vulcanisates depend primarily on the acrylonitrile content of the nitrile rubber used and on the type and quantity of plasticiser. These NBR vulcanisates have good resistance to petrol, oils and mineral greases, but are poorly resistant to ageing.
The features:
- Impact resistance (from 10 to 50%)
- Elongation at break (100 to 700% and more)
- Resistance to low temperatures (between -10 °C and -50 °C)
- Gas permeability significantly lower than vulcanisates of NR, IR, BR, SBR, EPM, EPDM
- Poor resistance to ozone, aging and bad weather, but still better than natural rubber
- Remarkable chemical resistance
VITON®
FKM fluorinated compounds were developed and launched on the market by DuPont® in 1958, under the VITON® brand. These polymers are made from a combination of hydrocarbons with high fluorine content.
The features:
- Good resistance to fuels, hot oils and flame
- Very high impermeability to air and gas
- Good resistance to fats
- High heat resistance
- Resistant to aging
- High mechanical resistance
VMQ (or “Silicone Rubbers”)
Silicone rubbers have a different nature than all other elastomers. They differ in that they are not pure organic compounds: their molecules are not chains of carbon atoms, but of silicon and oxygen with alkyl links. Silicone rubber compounds contain – in addition to rubber – inorganic fillers (often pigments) and a vulcanizer, mostly a peroxide or catalyst.
The features:
- Good resistance to fuels, hot oils and flame (thanks to the presence of fluorine)
- Good resistance to fats
- High heat resistance
- Resistant to aging
- High mechanical resistance
Epichlorohydrin
The epichlorohydrin copolymer is suitable for use in situations where thermal and mechanical stresses are not high, but where direct contact with air is possible. This material in fact shows good resistance to aging, as long as the operating temperature remains below 140°C. Once these levels are exceeded, ATAG does not recommend their use.
The features:
- Good chemical resistance to solvents, oils and chemical agents
- It offers thermal stability at moderately high temperatures
- Safety and handling
Epichloridine
EPDM vulcanisates have good resistance to heat, aging and chemical agents, as well as good elasticity, good resistance to low temperatures and good insulating power.
The features:
- Impact resistance from 40 to 60%
- Elongation at break from 150 to 500%
- Heat resistance
- Resistance to low temperatures, down to approximately -50 °C
- High gas permeability
- Remarkable chemical resistance (for the saturated polymer chain)
NR
NR rubber, also known as Para rubber, is characterized by a light brown color and a hardness between 40 and 45 Shore A. In pure form, it has a relatively low specific weight.
The features:
- High mechanical strength
- Excellent elasticity and abrasion resistance
- Very low weight
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a material widely used to make gaskets, including custom ones and other sealing devices. This compound stands out for its high mechanical strength, notable ability to elongate before breaking and excellent resistance to wear, humidity and cuts. Furthermore, it remains elastic over a wide “range” of temperatures.
The features:
- Great flexibility
- High elasticity, even at different temperatures
- Good resistance to permanent deformation (compression-set)
- Resistance to solvents and oils
- Resistance to breakage and tearing
- Easily colorable
- Poor resistance to UV radiation
- Resistance to acids and bases
Now that you know everything about the various rubber compounds with which ATAG can make your drawn elastomers, you will understand that the perfect choice of these compounds must only be made by expert personnel.
Choosing the ideal compound to design custom-drawn elastomers is in fact a complex challenge.
Trust the ATAG experts: with our experience and expertise, you will find the ideal solution for your technical needs!
