Choosing the Right Material: Insights into Elbex’s Diverse Rubber and Plastic Options for Extrusions

At Elbex, we’re pleased to offer several types of rubber compounds to help our customers control costs and achieve proper performance for their applications. Here’s a closer look at the elastomers we offer for our extrusions.
Silicone Rubber
Silicone rubber is highly resistant to extreme temperatures, while also offering good chemical stability and fire resistance. Its weathering and UV resistance mean it is often used for outdoor applications like window seals.
EPDM
EPDM is a very flexible elastomer that adheres well to metals while also offering low electrical conductivity and excellent waterproofing capabilities. EPDM is often used for flat roofing, as well as for HVAC applications. However, it has poor resistance to oils and petroleum-based fuels.
Polyisoprene
Polyisoprene is noted for having excellent elasticity, as well as strong tear and abrasion resistance thanks to its consistent and homogenous structure. It is soft and non-allergenic, and is often used for items ranging from tires to baby products.
Neoprene
Neoprene offers strong resistance to water, chemicals, heat, flames, solvent, sunlight, and weather. It is used in a wide variety of products, including gaskets, O-rings, seals, tubing, and more.
Nitrile
Common nitrile applications include automotive components such as gaskets, oil seals, O-rings, and transmission belts. Nitrile has excellent abrasion and tear resistance, and good resistance to water and oil. However, it has poor resistance to UV, ozone, and extreme temperatures.
SBR
SBR also offers good impact strength, abrasion resistance, and high tensile strength. However, it has poor resistance to chemicals and oils. It is a widely used “general purpose” elastomer that offers lower costs and is used for a variety of rubber products (including shoe soles and tires).
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is noted for being durable and resilient, resistant to abrasions, and excellent for dampening vibrations. However, it performs poorly when exposed to chemicals and petroleum products, and does not do well in outdoor applications.
With custom in-house batch mixing, our team is able to cater to specific client requirements. We can also use our knowledge and experience to answer your questions and help you make the right selection for your project needs. To learn more,
contact us today.


