Choosing the Right Rubber: What it Means for Your Product

Types of rubber and applications

Not all rubbers are created equal — and in industrial manufacturing, your choice can define performance, longevity, and cost-efficiency.

From tyres and hoses to seals, gaskets, and footwear — India’s rubber industry relies on a range of materials tailored for specific outcomes.

Here’s a quick guide to the most widely used rubbers and elastomers:

🔹 Natural Rubber (NR) – Excellent resilience for tyres, belts, and mounts
🔹 Butadiene Rubber (BR) – High bounce, low heat build-up — ideal for treads
🔹 Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) – Styrene butadiene Rubber non-oil extended or dry grade – Cost-effective and abrasion-resistant
🔹 SBR – Styrene butadiene Rubber oil extended grade – Cost-effective and abrasion-resistant for tyres, footwear, and conveyor belts
🔹 Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM) – Weatherproof and UV-resistant for automotive and roofing
🔹 Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) – Oil/fuel resistant, great for hoses and seals
🔹 Chloroprene Rubber (CR) – Flame and weather-resistant, used in gaskets
🔹 Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber (IIR) / Brominated Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber (BIIR) – Great air retention for tubes and tyre liners
🔹 Chlorinated Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber (CIIR) – Superior air retention and chemical resistance for tyre liners and pharmaceutical closures
🔹 Acrylic Rubber (Acrylate Copolymer Rubber) ACM – Hot oil resistant for transmissions and seals
🔹 Methyl Vinyl Silicone Rubber (VMQ) – Withstands extreme heat and cold ex. Silicone
🔹 Fluoroelastomer (Fluorocarbon Rubber) FKM (ex. Viton®) – The go-to for chemical and fuel exposure
🔹 Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) / Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) – Plastic-processable, rubber-like behaviour
🔹 Polyisoprene (IR) – Excellent elasticity and low heat build-up for tyres, baby bottle nipples, and medical tubing
🔹 Reclaimed Rubbers – Efficient and cost-saving options for mass applications