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Neoprene is an incredible type of synthetic rubber. It has many qualities that residential, commercial, and industrial applications all need. These qualities include the neoprene water-resistance, neoprene fuel-resistance, neoprene compressive strength, neoprene tensile strength, neoprene flame-resistance, and—of course—neoprene chemical-resistance. As unremarkable as it may seem, these qualities only scratch the surface of neoprene’s capabilities. Each one of neoprene’s properties is rich with depth—rabbit holes that endlessly fascinate, as well as reward. In this article, we will focus on one of these properties: the chemical resistance of neoprene. In part, it is the chemical resistance of neoprene that has made it the highly-demanded elastomer that it is today. Neoprene rubber gasket, hose, and door-stripping products are many of the practical and every day uses where neoprene materials can be found. The chloroprene rubber market has grown since neoprene’s invention in 1930 by French chemical firm DuPont. As the world continued to industrialize, so did the development of this material. Modern industrialization increasingly saw complex manufacturing involving hazardous chemicals. Prior to the development of synthetic elastomers like the neoprene material, people had to settle for natural rubber when they needed an elastomeric product. Unfortunately, natural rubber, despite all its uses, is vulnerable to many chemicals—especially industrial ones. Manufacturers needed a chemically resistant rubber that could withstand these conditions. As you can guess, when neoprene entered the market, industrialists were ecstatic. The chemical resistance of neoprene rubber made it very popular very fast, and it has widely used ever since. Whether neoprene sheets are used as a safety mechanism for fire doors in a business or as a gasket in a car, the chemical resistance of neoprene made it an easy option for many manufacturers across the globe. Throughout this article, as we explore neoprene’s chemical-resistance, we will go through a set of questions to help organize our thinking:
• What is the chemical resistance of neoprene?
• Is neoprene resistant to acid?
• Is neoprene chemical resistance important?
• What makes neoprene chemical resistant?
Closed Cell Rubber – Blend
- Temperature Range: -40 F to +200 F
- Durometer rating of 20-25 Shore C
- Sheets available in size of 39in by 78in
- Ideal for use in shock absorption and gasket related applications
- A versatile blend of closed cell sponge available at affordable rates
Moderate Weather Resistance: This closed cell sponge rubber benefits from the presence of Neoprene material since each sponge sheet is composed of Neoprene and SBR. A characteristic of Neoprene rubber is its good resistance to outdoor weathering effects such as UV rays and ozone. As a result, it is often employed wherever a rubber part is needed for the outdoors. This blended cellular rubber possesses a moderate degree of outdoor weather resistance.
A Durable Sponge Rubber: As a direct benefit from the SBR rubber used to make it, this closed cell sponge rubber possesses a good degree of physical durability. SBR is known for its superior physical strength and resistance to physical abrasions. It is the reason why SBR is so popular for use in vehicle tires, which are expected to endure harsh physical conditions on a daily basis. Although cellular rubber tends to be a softer material overall, especially when compared to its regular solid rubber counterparts, it is still durable enough to handle some moderate level physical abrasions.
What Is the Chemical Resistance of Neoprene?
The chemical resistance of neoprene is neoprene’s capacity for withstanding certain chemicals—the neoprene chemical compatibility. Neoprene is highly resistant to chemicals such as oils, which can severely damage other elastomers. When talking about elastomers and their varying degrees of chemical resistance, it is normal to speak about them generally. That is, there are many different kinds of chemicals, so when we say that a rubber is highly chemical-resistant, we usually mean that, on average, the rubber is highly resistant to most chemicals. This way of speaking about chemical resistance—although easily-digestible—also often misses crucial details. After all, every person’s application is different, and the conditions within which one intends to employ a rubber material may include certain chemicals that a “highly chemical-resistant” rubber is uniquely vulnerable to. For example, neoprene is incredibly resistant to chemicals such as greases, oils, and solvents. In fact, neoprene is typically considered the best elastomer for applications that involve these chemicals.
Is Neoprene Resistant to Acid?
Neoprene is vulnerable to certain acids, such as nitric acid. What is nitric acid? Well, nitric acid is a compound that fertilizer manufacturers use to procure ammonium nitrate, a substance that composes the majority of most fertilizers. And who would have known? Neoprene—a material that can withstand the caustic effects of petroleum-based chemicals—is susceptible to damage from the acid used to make fertilizers! This is our point. Although it is generally accepted that neoprene is highly chemical-resistant, remember that chemical resistance is not absolute. It is a nuanced subject whose scope is so wide that we tend to condense its matter into short, general-purpose categorical phrases. While you might think this is an oversight, there is good reason for why manufacturers do it: It often saves consumers precious time when selecting a material for their project. And those whose projects do see these kryptonite-esque chemicals are usually privy to the fact that they need a material that can withstand those exact chemicals: in other words, a fertilizer manufacturer likely knows that neoprene is specifically weak to nitric acid. In any case, neoprene specifications, a neoprene chemical-resistance chart, and a neoprene data sheet can be easily obtained by any consumer looking to buy neoprene material. Therefore, if you are worried that your project may be exposed to chemicals that damage neoprene, consult your rubber provider, for they can certainly clarify whether neoprene is safe to use in your application.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 50A
Is Neoprene Resistant to Gas?
Is Neoprene Resistant to Oil? (XXD40)
General Purpose Rubber – 60A – 1/2″ x 36″
- Smooth black finish
- Stocked width of 36”
- A rubber sheet for a variety of applications
- Working temperature range of -10° F to 190° F
- Black rubber roll available in lengths of 25ft or 50ft depending on the thickness of the rubber
SBR Rubber: Our General Purpose Rubber sheets are made using styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). This synthetic elastomer is known for its durability. SBR’s physical qualities are present in this solid rubber sheet. With a durometer rating of 60, it can handle physical abrasions pretty well. This rubber sacrifices some elasticity and pliability, but it is meant more for physical applications that require a moderate degree of strength. In addition, its durability is enhanced by the fact that it is a vulcanized rubber sheets.
Meant for Not So Sensitive Applications: General Purpose Rubber is very adaptable. A sheet of this elastomer can be made into various seals and gaskets that can then be used for a large variety of different applications. This solid rubber material is well suited for use in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The material of this black rubber roll functions very well as bumper and pad material too thanks to their good durability.
Is Neoprene Chemical Resistance Important?
The chemical resistance of neoprene is incredibly important. Neoprene chemical-resistance is one of neoprene’s main advantages. It is the reason for why neoprene is so prized in many industrial applications, like automotive sealing and gasketing. Applications such as these are often heavily exposed to petroleum-based chemicals, which can seriously damage most materials—not just elastomers. Thus, although neoprene is relatively expensive compared to many products, it is sometimes indispensable to the success of a project.
What Makes Neoprene Chemical-Resistant?
The chemical resistance of neoprene is made possible by the procedures that go into the neoprene manufacturing process. Neoprene is a type of synthetic elastomer that is made through polymerization of the monomer chloroprene. This process of polymerization yields the polymer polychloroprene. The neoprene chemical formula reflects this, as the neoprene structure is simply a long chain of connected chloroprene molecules. Polychloroprene has many characteristics that make it stand apart from all other competitors. Originally developed to be an oil resistant alternative to natural rubber, neoprene is now known to have a much longer list of resistances and has far exceeded the expectations that its original inventors held. The chemical resistance of neoprene has helped ensure its success in the crowded rubber market. Today, neoprene sheets are in high demand for many different industries and businesses because its many inherent, advantageous characteristics. The chemical resistance of neoprene makes it popular in construction and other industrial settings. For instance, in the construction of buildings and bridges, neoprene bearing pads are invaluable tools for stabilizing these structures while and after they are built. A neoprene bearing pad manufacturer knows how important the neoprene chemical properties are to the success of these pads. After all, buildings are subjected to all kinds of chemical conditions, including oils and other compounds, so its standard to see neoprene used in construction. Neoprene is also commonly sold in a roll or sheet form. These forms allow for the easier fabrication of products such as neoprene strips, gaskets, and seals. Some of neoprene’s beneficial properties include its resistance to ozone and weathering, resilience to damage from twisting or flexing, and resistance to flame. And, of course, another one of the qualities for which this material is known is its high level of chemical resistance. The chemical resistance of neoprene rubber includes—among other chemicals—the following:
- Hydrogen gas
- Natural gas
- Ammonium salts
- Mineral oils
- Silicone oils and greases
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 80A
Is Neoprene Resistant to Oil? (Hydraulic Fluid Oil)
Neoprene – CG – 60A – 72″ Wide
- Tasks that require flexible materials
- Industrial gasket, bumper, or sealing applications
- Projects that would be better served with wider sheets
- Industrial applications that involve oils, chemicals, ozone
- Applications that involve temperatures between -20° F and 212° F
72” Wide Sheet: This black neoprene sheet is specifically made to be 72” wide. The reason for this is because the standard 36” or 48” wide sheet rolls cannot satisfy the requirements of every application. We make 72” wide sheets of neoprene available so that you do not have to order too many materials for your job. It will help make sure that you have more to work with at a lower cost, minimizing the chances of you being stuck with unused leftover material. A standard roll of 72” wide flexible neoprene is well suited for large-scale industrial applications.
Flexible Neoprene: These wider sheets of neoprene have a durometer of 55-65. Although they are not the hardest rubber on the market, they are still tough enough to withstand the physical impacts that often come with industrial use. More importantly, however, is their flexibility. With a durometer rating of 55-65, these sheets of black neoprene sacrifice a little durability for better levels of flexibility. This gives you an easier material to work with, as a sheet of this 72” wide neoprene is better suited for use in areas that need a bit of flexibility.
General Purpose Rubber – Black – 60A
The neoprene sheet material is generally stable around a variety of chemicals while also maintaining its flexibility over a wide temperature range. These two qualities together make the neoprene material ideal for use in gasketing applications where exposure to extreme chemicals and temperatures is inevitable. Neoprene sheets and rolls generally have an impressive temperature range (-20 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit). Neoprene rolls also offer moderate pliability and elasticity. Neoprene products are typically in high-demand, as they function comfortably in a wide range of settings both indoors and outdoors. If you need a neoprene rubber gasket or another product made of neoprene, do not worry! Neoprene is not so complicated, especially with the wealth of quality sources from which you can draw expertise. After all that has been said, it is clear that this product is able to be continually adapted and used in new ways. Neoprene is already effective in many industries for a wide array of applications. The chemical resistance of neoprene, as well as its other physical properties, ensures that this trend will only continue as the demand for synthetic rubbers persistently increases.
