Description
Chloroprene (commonly known as "Neoprene") is one of the oldest synthetic elastomers. Introduced in 1931, it is used in a variety of applications due to its ability to resist both oils and oxidation. The oil resistance, however, depends significantly on the type of oil. Chloroprene has good resistance to napthenic and paffaffinc oils of high molecular weight, but swells excessively in aromatic oils of low molecular weight. Vulcanizates of chloroprene display little significant change after prolonged outdoor exposure. Because of its chlorine content, flame resistance is superior to that of most other rubbers. Some chloroprene vulcanizates, especially O-Rings, sometimes exhibit distortion due to crystallization of the rubber at room temperature. This effect can be completely reversed by warming the parts in low heat. Chloroprene is especially well suited to rubber-to-metal bonding.
Composition
Chloroprene Rubber
Physical Properties*
| |
Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
| Abrasion resistance |
• |
|
|
|
| Compression Set |
|
• |
|
|
| Elongation |
|
• |
|
|
| Flame resistance |
|
• |
|
|
| Gas permeability |
|
• |
|
|
| Low temperature flexibility |
|
• |
|
|
| Tear resistance |
|
|
• |
|
| Tensile strength |
|
• |
|
|
Chemical Resistance*
| |
Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
| Aromatic & oxygenated solvents |
|
|
|
• |
| Automotive refrigerants |
• |
|
|
|
| Dilute acids |
• |
|
|
|
| Dilute alkalis |
• |
|
|
|
| Ozone |
• |
|
|
|
| Steam |
|
|
• |
|
| Water |
|
• |
|
|
| Weather |
• |
|
|
|
Operating Temperature
-40 to 275 °F
*Excellent, good, fair and poor are intended to serve as general guidelines only. Actual testing in the application environment is always recommended. |