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Rubber Directory

rubber products

Specialised Engineering Products manufacture a wide selection of rubber moulded parts from all varieties of rubber. Not quite sure as to which rubber you should use for your required application? No problem, take a look at the materials listed below and download our technical data sheets (coming soon). If you are still undecided, get in touch with our team and we'll do our best to help you out.

Rubber Materials

Select the required material tab below to find out more

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    Natural Rubber (Isoprene)


    natural rubber

    The original natural material which has been in commercial use since the turn of the last century. A widely developed rubber with a large range of low cost compounds.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    High resillience Lack of resistance to oil and organic fluids 450°C
    Wide range of hardnesses Poor resistance to ozone, weather and oxidation - tendency to perish in open air 260°C
    Good compression set Low working maximum temperature 1000°C
    Very strong - tear and abrasion resistant 800°C
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    SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber)


    natural rubber

    One of the cheaper synthetic rubbers which is easy to process in large quantities

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Good physical strength Poor resistance to oils or fuels Widely used in the Footwear (shoe sales) and Tyre industries
    Good tear and abrasion resistance
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    EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)


    epdm rubber

    Another low cost synthetic rubber, originally developed in the 1950s for use within the tyre manufacturing industry. It became more widely used because of it's outstanding resistance to ozone, weathering and water.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Excellent water resistance, even at elevated temperature Will not resist oil or oil based products Potable water duties (WRc Approved)
    Good stabiity over long periods of time 'O' Rings, Seals and Gaskets
    Resistant to many water based chemicals General engineering not exposed to oil
    Excellent weathering resistance
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    Neoprene (Chloroprene)


    neoprene rubber

    One of the first synthetic rubbers developed in the search for oil resistant compounds. Extensively used due to its wide range of useful properties and comparatively low price.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Resistant to oils & chemicals Not suitable for contact with fuels Most general engineering & mechanical applications, other than those in contact with fuel
    Flame retardant (self extinguishing) and Water and weather resistant Tendency to tear once initially damaged
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    Hypalon (Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene)


    hypalon rubber

    Another rubber developed around the 1950s. A combination of similarities between both EPDM & Neoprene, with some improved characteristics.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Resistant to oils and chemicals, especially at elevated temperatures Not suitable for contact with fuels Heavy weather conditions
    Outstanding ozone & weathering resistance - stable over long periods of time Not particularly resilient Where there is exposure to hot liquids
    Water resistant
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    Nitrile (Acrylonitrilebutadiene)


    nitrile rubber

    A good quality oil resistant rubber with reasonable performance in contact with fuels. There are rubbers with higher degrees of resistance, but these are much more expensive.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Good resistance to Petroleum based fluids - even at elevated temperatures Flammable and burns with toxic fumes Seals, Gaskets, ‘O’ Rings etc., in contact with petroleum based fluids
    Very low level of permeability to gases Comparatively low resistance to ozone and weathering Sealing against gases
    Water resistant Poor electrical strength
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    Therban (HNBR)


    hnbr rubber

    Hydrogenated Nitrile generally bridges the gap in relation to performance and cost between Nitrile and Viton.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Good physical strength with very good tear and abrasion resistance Like Nitrile it has poor electrical and flame resistance Seals in vehicle engines
    Good dynamic behaviour with flex cracking resistance Diaphragms requiring good heat ageing properties and resistance to oils and chemicals
    Outstanding resistance to steam and hot water
    Resists ozone and weathering
    Maintains many of its properties at elevated temperatures
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    Silicone (Polysiloxane)


    natural rubber

    This rubber is generally characterised by its clean, smooth appearance with good flexibility. It has an excellent range of working temperatures and outstanding resistance to weathering.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Wide temperature range Not particularly strong, however careful compounding can improve this Situations involving extremes of high & low temperatures (e.g Aerospace)
    Outstanding resistance to ozone & weathering Not suitable for contact with fuels Electrical applications
    Good resistance to oils Expensive compared to most other rubbers Contact with food stuffs (FDA)
    Excellent electrical strength
    Low level of toxicity
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    FKM (Fluorocarbon) (Viton)


    viton rubber

    Suited to the petrochemical industry, this synthetic rubber offers the best all round resistance to hostile chemicals and oils particularly at elevated temperatures.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Good resistance to petroleum based fluids Limited use at lower temperatures Fluid sealing duties at elevated temperatures in contact with aggressive chemicals and petroleum products
    Excellent chemical resistance Very expensive compared to nearly all other rubbers
    Strong with good tear and abrasion resistance
    Excellent upper temperature capabilities
    Good resistance to water
    Outstanding oxidation, ozone and weather resistance
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    Fluorosilicone (Fluorinated Polysiloxane)


    fluorosilicone rubber

    Best suited where conditions of low temperature are present especially in contact with hostile chemicals, oil and fuel.

    Properties Limitations Typical Applications
    Outstanding ozone and weather resistance Not particularly strong with relatively poor tear and abrasion resistance Normally special applications where performance in extremes of temperature are required (e.g Aerospace, Petrochemical...)
    Resistant to fuels at lower temperatures Extremely expensive
    Excellent electrical strength
    Very wide temperature range from -60 to 200 centigrade
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