ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a comparison chart which should help in selecting the proper elastomer or blend for most applications. It considers three very different rubbers, all filling specialized niches. The three rubbers are nitrile rubber, polysulfide rubbers and recycled rubber. Nitrile rubber is chosen where oil and fuel resistance superior to that of neoprene is wanted or for its chemical resistance. Polysulfide rubber is used for its excellent oil and fuel resistance—say, where even nitrile rubber cannot function well, such as for oil suction tubes and discharge hoses that are used to convey benzene. Much information about the manufacture of nitrile rubber is proprietary, so it is difficult to give exact polymerization formulas and details such as times, temperatures, pressures, and purification procedures. The chapter deals with ground rubber, which has not been treated to softening as happens in many reclaiming processes.
