Rubber material properties determine the usefulness of an elastomer for your sealing application. Part 1 of this Sealing Material Selection Guide covered basic requirements and introduced some commonly used rubber materials. Now that you’re familiar with some of your options, it’s time to evaluate their specific properties to see if they align with your application requirements.  

Getting this right is an important part of achieving reliable and long-lasting seals. By understanding your application requirements and knowing what properties are essential to your application, you can make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn more, or contact The Rubber Group if you’re ready to discuss the molded rubber parts that you need. 

How to Evaluate Rubber Material Properties 

The table below lists rubber material properties and explains what to consider for your application.  

Material Property	Description
Temperature Resistance	Determine if the rubber material can withstand the expected range of temperatures without losing its sealing properties. Rubber materials can get hard and brittle at low temperatures.
Chemical Compatibility	Verify that the rubber material is resistant to the chemicals it will encounter. Chemical compatibility prevents degradation and swelling.
Compression Set	Assess the material’s ability to recover its original shape after compression. Excessive compression set can lead to seal failure over time.
Hardness	Select the durometer (hardness) that provides the appropriate level of sealing for your application. For more stringent applications, consider putting tolerance windows on modulus to more accurately specify the stiffness of the material.

How to Get Help with Rubber Material Selection 

Do you need molded rubber parts or products? The Rubber Group can help you with material selection selection and optimize your sealing solution. We’re the manufacturing partner of choice for companies who want outstanding expertise in engineering and material science plus flexible capabilities for meeting sealing challenges. 

By treating customers, suppliers, and our fellow employees the way that we want to be treated, The Rubber Group is building long-term partnerships and achieving best-in-class service. We’re proud that our customers’ growth is fueled in part by leveraging our in-depth industry knowledge and unique capabilities. If you’re looking for a rubber molder that does more, contact us.