Comparing the major elastomer families
No single rubber is best for every job. Selecting a seal material is a balance of temperature, the media it contacts, pressure, and cost. This chart puts the common families next to each other so the trade-offs are obvious at a glance.
Nitrile (NBR) vs Viton (FKM)
Nitrile (Buna-N) is the low-cost workhorse: excellent resistance to petroleum oils and fuels and good abrasion resistance, but a limited temperature ceiling and poor ozone and weather resistance. Viton (FKM)is the premium fluoroelastomer — outstanding heat resistance to around 205 °C and broad chemical resistance including many acids and fuels — at several times the cost. The classic “Viton vs nitrile” decision usually comes down to temperature and aggressive media: reach for FKM when nitrile's heat or chemical limits are exceeded.
EPDM, silicone and the specialty grades
EPDM excels with water, steam, brake fluid and weathering but is attacked by petroleum oils, making it the opposite of nitrile in many ways. Silicone (VMQ) offers an extremely wide temperature range and is physiologically inert, but has low tensile strength and poor abrasion resistance, so it suits static and dynamic-light duty. HNBRupgrades nitrile's heat and ozone performance for oilfield and air-conditioning service, while FFKM (perfluoroelastomer) delivers near-universal chemical resistance and the highest temperature capability at the highest cost. Use the resistance ratings and cost tiers below to narrow your shortlist, then send it to our engineers for a compound recommendation.