What are the different types of rubber?

January 14, 2025

Rubber is a versatile material that has become essential across industries, thanks to its strength, flexibility, and durability. Classified into natural rubber and synthetic rubber, this material serves applications ranging from automotive and medical to industrial and consumer goods. Understanding the types, properties, and applications of rubber helps businesses select the right material for their specific needs.

This guide explores the characteristics and uses of various rubber types, including NBR, EPDM, and silicone, to help you make informed choices.

What is Rubber?

Rubber is a flexible, elastic material that is widely used across industries. It is primarily classified into two types.

Natural Rubber: Derived from latex, a milky fluid extracted from rubber trees.
Synthetic Rubber: Man-made through the synthesis of rubber polymers using petrochemical processes.

How is Rubber Formed?

Natural Rubber: The latex from rubber trees is collected, refined, and processed to enhance its elasticity and durability.
Synthetic Rubber: Produced in laboratories by chemically replicating natural rubber properties, with additional benefits like resistance to heat, chemicals, and wear.

What is Rubber Used For?

Rubber is used in a wide range of applications due to its strength, flexibility, and durability.

Automotive Industry: Tires, seals, hoses, and belts.
Medical Sector: Gloves, tubing, stoppers, and other medical devices.
Industrial Applications: Gaskets, conveyor belts, and seals for machinery.
Consumer Goods: Shoe soles, mats, toys, and household items.

Natural Rubber (NR)

What is Natural Rubber Made Of?

Natural rubber is made from latex, a milky substance extracted from the bark of rubber trees, primarily the Hevea brasiliensis species. The latex is processed to remove impurities and improve its elasticity and strength.

Properties and Uses of Natural Rubber

Property	Description
Elasticity	Can stretch and return to its original shape without deformation.
Strength and Durability	Provides excellent wear resistance, making it suitable under pressure.
Flexibility	Adapts to a wide variety of applications across industries.

Common Uses

Natural rubber is used in a wide range of products, including

Automotive: Tires and seals.
Industrial: Gaskets, conveyor belts, and hoses.
Medical: Gloves and tubing.
Consumer Goods: Footwear, mats, and other things made of rubber.

Synthetic Rubbers

What is Synthetic Rubber?

Synthetic rubber is a man-made material produced through the synthesis of rubber polymers. Unlike natural rubber, synthetic rubber is engineered to provide greater resistance to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and wear, making it highly versatile for modern applications.

Why Choose Synthetic Rubber?

Compared to natural rubber, synthetic rubber offers:

Enhanced chemical resistance.
Better performance in high or low temperatures.
Improved durability for specialized industrial and automotive uses.

Rubber vs Silicone

While both synthetic rubber and silicone offer flexibility and durability, silicone rubber excels in extreme heat and cold, making it ideal for medical devices and food-grade applications. Synthetic rubbers like SBR or NBR, on the other hand, are better suited for automotive and industrial needs.

What are the Common Types of Synthetic Rubber?

Here are the most widely used types of synthetic rubber, their properties, and common applications.

Type of Synthetic Rubber	Properties	Uses
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)	Good abrasion resistance, durable, and cost-effective.	Tires, shoe soles, conveyor belts, and general rubber products.
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)	Excellent oil and fuel resistance, good mechanical strength.	Seals, hoses, gaskets, and industrial applications.
Neoprene Rubber (CR)	Resistant to weather, ozone, and chemicals.	Industrial seals, gaskets, wet suits, and protective coverings.
Butyl Rubber (IIR)	Air impermeable with excellent vibration damping.	Tire inner liners, pharmaceutical stoppers, and airtight seals.
Ethylene Propylene Diene (EPDM)	Heat, ozone, and UV resistant.	Roofing membranes, automotive weatherstripping, and rubber gaskets.
Silicone Rubber	Resistant to extreme heat and cold, flexible.	Medical devices, kitchenware, electronics, and sensitive seals.
Polyurethane Rubber (PU)	High abrasion resistance and strong tensile strength.	Industrial rollers, wheels, seals, and machinery parts.
Fluoroelastomer (Viton®/FKM)	Excellent resistance to chemicals and high temperatures.	Aerospace seals, automotive gaskets, and chemical-resistant applications.
Specialty Rubbers	Specialized for niche applications.	Marine environments, chemical protection, and electrical insulation.

What are the Properties of Different Types of Rubber?

Different types of rubber, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone rubber, offer unique properties that make them suitable for various industrial and commercial applications.

1. Temperature Resistance of Rubber

The ability of rubber to tolerate heat varies depending on the type.

Natural Rubber: Begins degrading at around 200°C and loses elasticity under extreme heat.
Synthetic Rubber: Options like Nitrile Rubber (NBR) and Viton excel, maintaining performance above 200°C.
Silicone Rubber: Stands out with temperature resistance from -60°C to 250°C, making it the top choice for high-heat applications in industries such as medical devices, food-grade products, and automotive systems.

2. Rubber as a Polymer

Rubber is classified as a polymer due to its long chain-like molecular structure, which gives it distinct properties.

Elasticity: Allows rubber to stretch and return to its original form, ideal for gaskets and seals.
Flexibility: Enables rubber to deform under pressure, making it suitable for rubber hoses and dynamic applications.
Durability: Synthetic rubbers like EPDM Rubber and Polyurethane offer superior wear resistance, often used in harsh environments like automotive or industrial settings.

3. Rubber vs Silicone Rubber

Both rubber and silicone rubber offer durability and flexibility, but they are best suited for different purposes due to distinct properties:

Rubber (Natural or Synthetic): Effective in general applications but can degrade under extreme temperatures or chemical exposure.
Silicone Rubber: Offers superior temperature resistance (-60°C to 250°C), chemical stability, and non-toxic properties, making it the preferred material for food-grade silicone tubing, medical products, and electronic components.

By understanding the unique properties of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone rubber, you can choose the most suitable material for your specific needs, whether it’s for industrial, automotive, or high-performance applications.

How to Choose the Right Type of Rubber for Your Needs?

Choosing the right type of rubber depends on the specific requirements of your application.

Understand the Application
- Determine what rubber is used for in your industry. For example.
  - Automotive: Use natural rubber for tires or Nitrile Rubber (NBR) for fuel and oil resistance.
  - Medical: Opt for silicone rubber, which is non-toxic and ideal for medical devices.
  - Industrial: EPDM and Neoprene are preferred for seals, gaskets, and outdoor applications.
Consider Environmental Conditions
- Evaluate temperature, weather, and chemical exposure.
  - For extreme temperatures: Choose silicone rubber, which can withhold heat and cold.
  - For chemical resistance: Viton® (FKM) and NBR are ideal for handling oils, fuels, and harsh chemicals.
  - For UV and ozone exposure: Use EPDM rubber for durability outdoors.
Mechanical Properties
- Identify the mechanical needs of your application, such as elasticity, durability, and abrasion resistance.
  - High abrasion resistance: Use Polyurethane Rubber (PU) for industrial parts and heavy machinery.
  - Elasticity and flexibility: Natural rubber excels in applications requiring stretch and rebound.
Budget and Cost Considerations
- For cost-effectiveness in general applications, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is a reliable and affordable option.
Compliance and Safety
- If safety is a concern, such as in food-grade or medical products, use silicone rubber due to its non-toxic nature.

Elastostar Rubber Corporation’s Expertise

At Elastostar Rubber Corporation, we specialize in delivering industry-leading custom rubber solutions that cater to a variety of industries requiring precision, performance, and durability.

Our expertise includes.

Seals and Gaskets: Designed for high performance in demanding environments.
Extruded Rubber Components: Custom-made to meet specific industrial requirements.
Rubber Products: Durable and reliable solutions for automotive, medical, and industrial applications.

With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we ensure that every rubber product meets the highest standards for performance and durability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the different types of rubber, from natural rubber to synthetic varieties like NBR, EPDM, and silicone, offer unique properties that make them suitable for diverse applications. Choosing the right rubber material depends on factors such as temperature resistance, chemical exposure, and mechanical strength. With their versatility and durability, rubbers remain essential in industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods.

FAQs

1. How many types of rubber are there?
There are primarily two types of rubber.

Natural Rubber (NR): Made from latex extracted from rubber trees.
Synthetic Rubber: Man-made through the synthesis of rubber polymers, including types like Nitrile (NBR), EPDM, Silicone, and SBR.

2. What is the strongest type of rubber?
The strongest rubbers include Nitrile (NBR) for oil resistance and Viton® (FKM) for extreme heat and chemical durability. At Elastostar Rubber Corporation, we deliver durable seals, gaskets, and extruded rubber components built for high-performance needs.

3. What is the most commonly used rubber?
The most commonly used rubbers are Natural Rubber (NR) and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), valued for their flexibility, strength, and affordability. Elastostar Rubber Corporation provides high-quality custom rubber products for various industrial applications.

4. What is 100% natural rubber?
100% natural rubber is a material obtained directly from latex, a milky fluid produced by rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). It is processed to create a flexible, durable, and elastic material used in products like tires, seals, and gloves.

5. What is the full form of NR rubber?
The full form of NR rubber is Natural Rubber. It is derived from latex and is widely valued for its elasticity, flexibility, and strength in various applications.

6. Which rubber grade is best?
The best rubber grade depends on the application.

EPDM: Best for outdoor and weather-resistant uses.
Nitrile (NBR): Ideal for oil and fuel resistance.
Silicone Rubber: Best for high-temperature and food-grade applications.
Viton® (FKM): Best for chemical and heat resistance in industrial settings.