Chemical Compatibility

Steam vs 13 elastomers

Best choices for Steam: EPDM, IIR. Full ratings below, A is continuous-service suitable, D is not recommended.

Steam
EPDM, IIRBest choices
NBR, HNBR, VMQAvoid
ElastomerRatingMeaning
NBR Nitrile (Buna-N)DNot recommended
HNBR Hydrogenated NitrileDNot recommended
FKM Fluorocarbon (Viton)BGood, minor effect
FFKM PerfluoroelastomerBGood, minor effect
EPDM Ethylene PropyleneAExcellent, continuous service
VMQ SiliconeDNot recommended
FVMQ FluorosiliconeDNot recommended
CR Neoprene (Chloroprene)DNot recommended
NR Natural RubberDNot recommended
SBR Styrene ButadieneDNot recommended
IIR ButylAExcellent, continuous service
AU PolyurethaneDNot recommended
FEPM Aflas (TFE/P)X

Room-temperature, neat chemical unless stated. Concentration and temperature shift ratings, validate with our lab.

Ratings are for the neat chemical at room temperature unless stated; concentration and temperature change everything. Validate with our lab before committing a compound. Search another chemical → More chemicals starting with S →

Sealing against Steam?

Tell us concentration, temperature and duty, we will recommend and sample the compound.