At Molded Dimensions Group, we know it’s not always easy to pick an elastomer—there are many factors to take into account. Our engineers have developed a checklist of considerations to help you make an elastomer selection, based on your custom application and specific requirements.
- Temperature Information
- Service Temperature Range (minimum, maximum)
- Service Environments
- Ozone
- Water
- Oxygen
- Special Fluids
- Outdoor Weathering
- Physical Property Requirements
- Durometer
- Compression Set
- Tear Strength
- Resilience or Damping
- Spring Rate or Modulus
- Tensile Strength
- Elongation
- Probable Failure Mode
- Fatigue Resistance
- Heat / Age / Fluid Resistance
- Tear / Wear / Abrasion Resistance
- Hysteresis / Heat Build-up Resistance
- Impact Resistance
- Special Properties or Needs
- Electrical – Conductivity / Resistivity
- Gas Permeability
- Surface Friction
- Flame – Resistance / Optical Smoke Density
- Food Service – FDA
- Medical – Implant / Skin Contact / Outgassing
- Marking / Non-marking
- Bonding to Substrates – Metal, Plastic, Fiber
- Elastomer Costs
- Amount of Elastomer per Part – higher %, higher cost sensitivity
- Part includes Bonded Metal Insert – no inserts, higher cost sensitivity
We hope that this checklist has helped narrow your focus for the requirements of your material. We encourage you to contact us with your requirements, as we would be glad to assist you with material recommendations.
Access more articles in our Rubber Knowledge Center and our Urethane Knowledge Center.
