Chemical Guide

Follow basic safety practices to minimize risk when working with hazardous chemicals.

1. Temperature of the Material Transmitted:

Higher temperatures increase the effect of chemicals on industrial rubber hose compounds. The increase varies with the polymer and the chemical. A compound quite suitable at room temperature might fail very quickly at higher temperatures.

2. Service Conditions:

A rubber hose compound usually swells when exposed to a chemical. With a given percent fo swell, a hose tube may function satisfactorily if the industrial hose is in a static condition, but fail quickly if the hose is subject to flexing.

3. The Grade or Blend of the Rubber Compound:

Basic rubber polymers are sometimes mixed or blended together to enhance a particular property for a specific service. The reaction to a particular chemical blend of polymers may, therefore, somewhat different from the reaction to the single ones. When in doubt, a sample of the compound should always be tested with the particular chemical it is to handle.

GENERAL CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF RUBBER HOSE COMPOUNDS

COMMON NAME	ASTM Designation D1418-93	COMPOSITION	GENERAL PROPERTIES
Natural rubber	NR	Isoprene rubber	Excellent physical properties, including abrasion resistance. Not oil resistant.
SBR	SBR	Styrene-butadiene rubber	Good physical properties, including abrasion resistance. Not oil resistant.
Butyl rubber	IIR	Isobutene-isoprene rubber	Very good weathering resistance. Low permeability to air. Good physical properties. Poor resistance to petroleum based fluids.
EPDM	EPDM	Ethylene-propylene diene- terpolymer	Good general purpose polymer. Excellent heat, ozone and weathering resistance. Not oil resistant.
Cross linked polyethylene	XLPE	Cross linked polyethylene	Excellent resistance to most solvents, oils and chemicals. Do not confuse with chemical properties of standard polyethylene.
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene	UHMWPE	Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene	Excellent resistance to most solvents, chemicals and hydrocarbons. Excellent abrasion and wear resistance. Inert and suitable for food contact. Do not confuse with chemical properties of standard polyethylene.
Nitrile rubber	NBR	Acrylonitrile-butadience rubber	Excellent oil resistance. Good physical properties.
Neoprene	CR	Chloroprene rubber	Excellent weathering resistance. Flame retardant. Good oil resistant. Good physical properties.
Hypalon ®	CSM	Chloro-sulfonated polyethylene	Excellent ozone, weathering and acid resistance. Good abrasion and heat resistance. Can be compounded for good oil resistance.