For padding and gasketing applications where petroleum exposure is anticipated, it is important to choose the right type of rubber. For applications where only occasional oil exposure is anticipated, Neoprene is usually suitable. This material exhibits moderate petroleum resistance, and is generally used in commercial applications where this resistance may or may not be a factor. For heavier or more consistent petroleum exposure, Nitrile (also known as Buna-N) should be used. This compound shows excellent oil and chemical resistance, and is thus used more commonly in heavier industrial settings. Excepting chemical resistance Neoprene and Nitrile exhibit similar characteristics (i.e. durometer, temperature range). Since Nitrile is a more expensive product, Neoprene is usually chosen when the broader oil and chemical resistance of Nitrile are not necessary. On the other hand, for applications where oil and chemical exposure are expected, Nitrile will provide significantly improved function and life span. Therefore, choosing the right rubber product for your application requires a clear picture of the characteristics and environmental hazards which should be expected (i.e. temperature range, chemical exposure.
Robert Morris
03/20/2005
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Oil and Petroleum Resistant Sheet Goods for Industrial Applications.
Neoprene Oil Resistant Rubber offers moderate resistance to greases and oils. Strong chemicals and greases & oils can be damaging to rubber. We offer neoprene oil resistant rubber & grease resistant mats to solve your issues. Depending on your application, which including the oils and greases that are present, whether they are synthetic or organic we have something for you. Keep in mind that our product line does not encompass only grease and oil resistant sheet rubber but a whole like of rubber mats and runners that offer excellent resistance as well.
Industrial applications are exposed to many forms of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons which include gasoline, diesel fuel, and crude oil, but these applications can also be exposed to other mineral based greases and oils that are commonly used for lubrication and friction reduction. Often times, gasketing and padding is required in areas that are exposed to these oils and choosing the right rubber material is essential to the entire project. If there is an application that comes in to contact only occasionally to simple greases and oils our Neoprene oil resistant rubber would be a great choice. This material is available in gauges from 1/16” up to 1” in widths of 36” and 48” making it an easy choice for almost any dimensional requirements. Areas that are going to undergo constant exposure to more caustic grease, oils and lubricants we would recommend a Nitrile product. Either our Nitrile or our White Nitrile would be an excellent choice because of the polymers extreme resistance to mineral and organic based greases and oils. Depending on your aesthetic needs, or if you need a non-marking material our White Nitrile is available in a non-marking white color.
Gasketing and Padding are not the only applications where resistance to greases and oils is imperative. Let us not forget the simple oils! Organic oils, oils from plant matter and animals, olive oil, fish oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and vegetable oil! Many residential and commercial kitchens are in need of a grease resistant mat because of the aforementioned oils. Luckily, we offer a whole line of grease and oils resistant mats that are ideal of the professional chef and the homemade cook enthusiast. Our Kitchen Mat is a grease resistant mat that is made from 100% Nitrile. This mat has the ultimate resistance to greases and oils both in a kitchen and garage setting. If work in a kitchen, deli, or café I’m sure you are familiar with our Drainage mats. Our Dura-Chef Interlock is available in a black and red color. The black is general purpose natural rubber and the red is natural rubber blended with Nitrile to make a grease and oil resistant mat.
No matter what your applications requires in the way of grease and oil resistant elastomers I’m sure we have something for you. Please keep in mind that we keep a fairly detailed chemical resistance chart that may be able to assist you in determining what material would work best for your application.
