Which rubber survives oil? Which handles sun and ozone? This rubber compatibility chart compares the four compounds used in our products across the exposures that actually kill rubber parts. Pick the compound, then find your part.
Quick Compatibility Chart
| Exposure | Neoprene | EPDM | Buna-N (Nitrile) | Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water & weather | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Sunlight / UV / ozone | Good | Excellent | Poor | Excellent |
| Petroleum oil & fuel | Moderate | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Heat (continuous) | 200°F | 250°F | 212°F | 400°F+ |
| Cold flexibility | -40°F | -40°F | -30°F | -70°F |
| Abrasion & tear | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Acids & detergents | Good | Excellent | Fair | Good |
Which Compound for Your Job
Neoprene — the all-rounder: feet, washers, pads, and bumpers in normal indoor/outdoor service. Balanced against everything, weak against nothing common. EPDM — outdoor champion: edge trim, seals, and parts living in sun, rain, and ozone (vehicles, boats, rooftops). Keep it away from oil. Buna-N (Nitrile) — the oil specialist: O-rings, grommets, and washers around engines, fuel, hydraulics, and machine shops. Keep it out of direct sun. Silicone — the temperature extremist: anything near heat (engines, ovens, steam) or extreme cold.
Rule of Thumb
Indoors or general outdoor use → neoprene. Sun-baked outdoor → EPDM. Oily → Buna-N. Hot or freezing → silicone. Deeper dive with Shore hardness explained: rubber material & durometer guide. Shop by part: grommets · washers · O-rings · edge trim · rubber feet.