Physical and Chemical Characteristics

In addition to the basic elastomer descriptions, it is helpful to have information on the important physical and chemical properties of various elastomer compounds. This information helps provide a clear picture of how physical and chemical properties interact with the elastomer which allows for proper selection of an effective seal material. The more basic physical properties that have to be considered are listed below.

In some of the sections below, it mentions how various factors can alter the properties of rubber materials. Low temperatures cause reversible hardening of compounds, high temperatures may cause  reversible and non-reversible changes of many kinds, and exposure to fluids can effect all the properties of a rubber material. Besides these more-or-less obvious effects, there are many additional ways in which the properties of a compound may be modified which may create differences in results from two different laboratories. Knowledge of some of these pitfalls may avoid misunderstandings.