Technical Resource
Chemical Compatibility Guide
Elastomer-versus-chemical compatibility reference across NBR, FKM, EPDM, silicone, HNBR and FFKM, intended as a starting point for material selection — always validated against actual concentration, temperature and duration of exposure.
Quick reference
Compound vs. resistance
| Material | Generally resists | Generally avoid |
|---|---|---|
| NBR (Nitrile / Buna-N) | Petroleum oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids, greases | Ozone, weathering, brake fluid, ketones |
| FKM / FPM (Fluoroelastomer) | Mineral oils, fuels, many acids, high temperature, ozone/weathering | Ketones, esters, amines, hot water/steam (standard grades) |
| EPDM | Water, steam, glycols, brake fluid, ozone, weathering, dilute acids, alkalies, ketones, alcohol, fire-retardant hydraulic fluids | Mineral oils, greases, petroleum-based fuels and hydrocarbons |
| Silicone (VMQ) | Extreme temperature range, ozone, UV, food/medical contact (FDA/USP Class VI grades) | Low tear/abrasion resistance, poor resistance to fuels and most oils |
| HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile) | Oils, fuels, ozone, higher heat than standard NBR, abrasion and tear resistance | Aromatic solvents, brake fluid (glycol-based) |
| FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer) | Near-universal chemical resistance — acids, solvents, steam, aggressive process chemicals | Cost; limited low-temperature flexibility versus FKM/silicone |
This table is a starting point, not a specification. Confirm compound selection against your exact chemical, concentration, temperature and duration of exposure — talk to our engineering team.