Evaluation of material behaviour after exposure to various media (oils, fuels, water/steam, acids/alkalis, cleaning/disinfection agents).

Key standards

• ISO 1817:2024 – Effect of liquids on vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber (changes in mass/volume/hardness/strength after immersion in specified liquids).

• ASTM D471 – US equivalent (often correlated with ISO 1817; specification alignment required). 

• Note: chemical resistance must always be reported as temperature- and time-dependent (e.g. 70 h/23 °C, 168 h/100 °C) with swelling and pre-strain documented.

Typical material behaviour (indicative)

• EPDM: excellent in hot water/steam and alkalis; poor in mineral oils/fuels.

• NBR/HNBR: excellent in oils/fuels; HNBR more heat-resistant.

• FKM/FFKM: very high chemical resistance incl. fuels/aromatics.

• Silicone: good against water/alcohols/cleaners; sensitive to mineral oils/hydrocarbons.

• TPE: strongly type-dependent (TPE-S, -V, -E, -U, etc.); always check media and temperature.

Extended tests

• Abrasion: ISO 4649:2024 (rotating drum volume loss, methods A/B).

• Gas/vapour permeability: ISO 2782-1:2022 (differential pressure methods), ISO 2782-2:2018 (gas transmission).

• Ozone cracking resistance: ISO 1431-1:2022 (visual/image analysis, standard climate, defined ozone concentration).