Elastomer chemical resistance is an important consideration when selecting rubber materials for seals, gaskets, O-rings, hoses and other components that may come into contact with chemicals or process fluids.
Different elastomers can react very differently to the same chemical. A material that performs well with water or dilute acids, for example, may deteriorate when exposed to solvents, fuels or other aggressive fluids.
The chemical resistance table below provides a quick comparison of natural rubber, Neoprene, Buna N, EPDM, silicone and Kel-F against a wide range of common chemicals and fluids. It can be used by engineers and students as a preliminary guide when comparing materials for an application.
Locate the chemical or fluid in the first column of the table and then read across the row to compare its compatibility with each elastomer.
For example, if an engineer is selecting a material for a seal or gasket exposed to a particular process fluid, the table can be used to identify which elastomers have the better resistance ratings. Materials rated A or B would normally be investigated further, while materials rated C or D may require greater caution or rejection for the application.
Chemical resistance should not be considered in isolation. Temperature, chemical concentration, exposure time, pressure, mechanical loading and the exact grade or formulation of the elastomer can all influence its performance.
The table should therefore be used as a preliminary material-selection guide rather than as a substitute for manufacturer compatibility data or application-specific engineering assessment.
Important: The resistance ratings generally relate to fluids at an ambient temperature of approximately 21°C unless otherwise stated. Chemical resistance can change significantly with temperature and concentration.
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Acetaldehyde | C | C | D | A | A | A |
| Acetamide | D | B | A | A | B | A |
| Acetate Solvent | C | D | C | A | C | A |
| Acetic Acid | B | C | C | A | C | A |
| Acetic Acid 20% | B | A | B | A | B | A |
| Acetic Acid 80% | C | C | C | A | B | A |
| Acetic Acid, Glacial | C | D | C | B | B | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | C | A | D | B | C | A |
| Acetone | C | C | D | A | D | A |
| Acetyl Bromide | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Acetyl Chloride (dry) | D | D | D | D | C | A |
| Acetylene | B | B | B | A | B | A |
| Acrylonitrile | B | C | D | D | D | N/A |
| Adipic Acid | A | C | C | A | N/A | N/A |
| Alcohols:Amyl | B | A | B | A | D | A |
| Alcohols:Benzyl | D | C | D | B | N/A | A |
| Alcohols:Butyl | A | A | C | A | B | N/A |
| Alcohols:Diacetone | D | D | D | A | D | B |
| Alcohols:Ethyl | A | A | C | A | B | A |
| Alcohols:Hexyl | A | A | A | C | B | N/A |
| Alcohols:Isobutyl | A | A | B | A | A | N/A |
| Alcohols:Isopropyl | A | B | B | A | A | N/A |
| Alcohols:Methyl | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Alcohols:Octyl | B | B | B | A | B | N/A |
| Alcohols:Propyl | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Aluminum Chloride | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Aluminum Chloride 20% | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Aluminum Fluoride | B | A | A | A | B | N/A |
| Aluminum Hydroxide | D | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Aluminum Nitrate | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 10% | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 100% | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Aluminum Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Alums | A | B | A | A | A | N/A |
| Amines | B | B | D | B | B | A |
| Ammonia 10% | D | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Ammonia Nitrate | N/A | C | C | A | N/A | N/A |
| Ammonia, anhydrous | D | A | B | A | C | A |
| Ammonia, liquid | D | A | C | A | N/A | A |
| Ammonium Acetate | N/A | A | B | A | N/A | N/A |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | N/A | D | B | A | N/A | N/A |
| Ammonium Carbonate | A | A | B | A | C | N/A |
| Ammonium Caseinate | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ammonium Chloride | A | B | B | A | C | A |
| Ammonium Hydroxide | D | A | D | A | A | A |
| Ammonium Nitrate | C | B | A | A | C | A |
| Ammonium Oxalate | N/A | A | D | A | N/A | N/A |
| Ammonium Persulfate | A | A | A | B | D | A |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Dibasic | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Monobasic | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Tribasic | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Ammonium Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Ammonium Sulfite | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Ammonium Thiosulfate | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Amyl Alcohol | B | A | B | A | D | A |
| Amyl Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Aniline | D | D | D | B | B | A |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | A | D | D | B | D | N/A |
| Antifreeze | A | C | A | A | C | N/A |
| Antimony Trichloride | N/A | N/A | B | B | N/A | A |
| Aqua Regia (80% HCl, 20% HNO3) | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Arochlor 1248 | D | D | C | B | B | A |
| Aromatic Hydrocarbons | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Arsenic Acid | B | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Arsenic Salts | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Asphalt | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Barium Carbonate | N/A | N/A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Barium Chloride | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Barium Cyanide | N/A | C | C | A | N/A | N/A |
| Barium Hydroxide | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Barium Nitrate | N/A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Barium Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Barium Sulfide | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Beer | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Beet Sugar Liquids | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Benzaldehyde | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Benzene | D | D | D | D | D | B |
| Benzene Sulfonic Acid | A | A | D | D | D | N/A |
| Benzoic Acid | D | B | D | D | B | A |
| Benzol | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Benzonitrile | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | A | A |
| Benzyl Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Bleaching Liquors | D | D | D | A | B | N/A |
| Borax (Sodium Borate) | A | A | B | A | B | A |
| Boric Acid | A | D | A | A | A | A |
| Brewery Slop | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bromine | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Butadiene | D | B | D | C | D | A |
| Butane | D | A | A | D | D | A |
| Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Butter | D | B | A | A | B | N/A |
| Buttermilk | D | D | A | A | A | A |
| Butyl Amine | D | D | N/A | N/A | B | D |
| Butyl Ether | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Butyl Phthalate | D | D | D | B | A | A |
| Butylacetate | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Butylene | D | D | A | D | D | B |
| Butyric Acid | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Calcium Bisulfate | A | A | A | A | C | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Calcium Bisulfide | D | A | A | C | C | A |
| Calcium Bisulfite | D | A | A | D | A | A |
| Calcium Carbonate | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Calcium Chlorate | A | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Calcium Chloride | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | D | D | C | B | B | B |
| Calcium Nitrate | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Calcium Oxide | B | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Calcium Sulfate | B | B | A | A | N/A | A |
| Calgon | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Cane Juice | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Carbolic Acid (Phenol) | D | D | D | B | D | B |
| Carbon Bisulfide | D | D | C | D | N/A | N/A |
| Carbon Dioxide (dry) | B | B | A | B | B | A |
| Carbon Dioxide (wet) | B | B | A | B | B | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | D | D | D | N/A | A |
| Carbon Monoxide | D | B | A | A | A | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride (dry) | D | D | C | B | D | D |
| Carbon Tetrachloride (wet) | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Carbonated Water | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Carbonic Acid | C | D | D | B | A | A |
| Catsup | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Chloric Acid | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Chlorinated Glue | N/A | D | B | B | N/A | N/A |
| Chlorine (dry) | D | C | B | A | D | D |
| Chlorine Water | C | D | D | C | D | A |
| Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid | C | D | D | B | D | B |
| Chloroacetic Acid | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Chlorobenzene (Mono) | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Chlorobromomethane | D | D | D | B | D | N/A |
| Chloroform | D | D | D | D | D | B |
| Chlorosulfonic Acid | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Chocolate Syrup | D | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Chromic Acid 10% | D | D | D | C | C | A |
| Chromic Acid 30% | D | D | D | B | C | A |
| Chromic Acid 5% | B | D | D | A | C | A |
| Chromic Acid 50% | D | D | D | B | C | A |
| Chromium Salts | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cider | N/A | A | A | A | B | N/A |
| Citric Acid | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Citric Oils | N/A | D | A | B | N/A | N/A |
| Cloroxr (Bleach) | D | B | D | B | N/A | D |
| Coffee | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Copper Chloride | C | A | A | A | A | A |
| Copper Cyanide | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Copper Fluoborate | N/A | A | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Copper Nitrate | C | A | A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Copper Sulfate >5% | C | A | A | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Copper Sulfate 5% | C | A | A | A | A | A |
| Cream | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cresols | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Cresylic Acid | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Cupric Acid | B | A | B | A | A | A |
| Cyanic Acid | N/A | C | C | N/A | A | N/A |
| Cyclohexane | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Detergents | B | B | A | A | A | A |
| Diacetone Alcohol | N/A | D | D | A | D | B |
| Dichlorobenzene | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Dichloroethane | D | D | D | N/A | N/A | A |
| Diesel Fuel | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | D | D | D | D | D | C |
| Diethylamine | A | A | C | B | B | A |
| Diethylene Glycol | A | A | A | A | B | N/A |
| Dimethyl Aniline | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Dimethyl Formamide | C | D | D | B | C | A |
| Diphenyl | D | B | D | D | D | B |
| Diphenyl Oxide | D | D | A | D | C | N/A |
| Dyes | N/A | C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Ethane | D | B | A | D | D | N/A |
| Ethanol | A | A | C | A | B | A |
| Ethanolamine | B | B | B | B | B | D |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Ether | D | D | D | C | D | B |
| Ethyl Acetate | C | D | D | B | B | A |
| Ethyl Benzoate | D | D | D | N/A | D | N/A |
| Ethyl Chloride | B | C | A | A | D | B |
| Ethyl Ether | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Ethyl Sulfate | N/A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Ethylene Bromide | C | C | D | C | D | B |
| Ethylene Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Ethylene Chlorohydrin | C | A | D | B | C | N/A |
| Ethylene Diamine | B | B | A | A | A | D |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Ethylene Glycol | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Ethylene Oxide | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Fatty Acids | C | C | B | D | C | A |
| Ferric Chloride | A | B | A | A | B | A |
| Ferric Nitrate | A | A | A | A | C | A |
| Ferric Sulfate | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Ferrous Chloride | A | A | A | N/A | N/A | B |
| Ferrous Sulfate | B | N/A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Fluoboric Acid | A | A | A | A | N/A | B |
| Fluorine | C | N/A | D | A | D | A |
| Fluosilicic Acid | A | A | A | A | N/A | C |
| Formaldehyde 100% | C | C | C | A | B | A |
| Formaldehyde 40% | B | B | B | A | N/A | A |
| Formic Acid | C | A | C | A | B | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Freon 113 | D | C | A | D | D | N/A |
| Freon 12 | C | A | A | B | D | C |
| Freon 22 | D | A | D | A | D | A |
| Freon TF | D | A | A | D | D | N/A |
| Freonr 11 | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Fruit Juice | D | A | A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Fuel Oils | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Furan Resin | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Furfural | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Gallic Acid | A | B | B | B | D | A |
| Gasoline (high-aromatic) | D | A | A | D | D | A |
| Gasoline, leaded, ref. | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Gasoline, unleaded | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Gelatin | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Glucose | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Glue, P.V.A. | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Glycerin | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Glycolic Acid | D | A | A | A | A | B |
| Gold Monocyanide | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Grape Juice | D | D | A | A | A | N/A |
| Grease | D | D | A | D | D | N/A |
| Heptane | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Hexane | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Honey | A | N/A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | D | A | A | D | B | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | D | A | D | A | B | N/A |
| Hydrazine | C | B | B | A | B | N/A |
| Hydrobromic Acid 100% | A | D | D | A | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid 20% | A | D | D | A | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid 100% | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid 20% | A | C | N/A | A | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid 37% | A | B | B | C | B | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid | B | B | B | B | C | N/A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%) | B | A | B | A | D | N/A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 100% | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 20% | B | B | D | D | D | B |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 50% | B | D | D | D | D | B |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 75% | D | D | D | C | D | B |
| Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100% | A | B | B | A | D | B |
| Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20% | A | B | A | A | D | A |
| Hydrogen Gas | B | A | A | A | C | B |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 10% | B | D | D | A | A | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 100% | C | D | D | D | B | B |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 30% | C | D | D | B | B | B |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 50% | C | D | D | B | B | A |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua) | C | A | D | B | C | A |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (dry) | C | A | D | B | C | B |
| Hydroquinone | A | A | D | D | N/A | N/A |
| Hydroxyacetic Acid 70% | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Ink | D | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Iodine | D | D | B | B | N/A | A |
| Iodine (in alcohol) | N/A | N/A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Iodoform | B | A | D | A | N/A | N/A |
| Isooctane | A | B | A | D | D | A |
| Isopropyl Acetate | D | D | D | B | D | N/A |
| Isopropyl Ether | A | D | B | D | D | A |
| Isotane | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5) | D | D | A | D | D | A |
| Kerosene | D | A | A | D | D | A |
| Ketones | A | D | D | A | N/A | B |
| Lacquer Thinners | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Lacquers | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Lactic Acid | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Lard | D | D | A | D | B | N/A |
| Latex | N/A | N/A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Lead Acetate | A | A | B | A | A | A |
| Lead Nitrate | A | A | A | A | B | N/A |
| Lead Sulfamate | B | A | B | A | B | N/A |
| Ligroin | D | B | A | D | D | N/A |
| Lime | N/A | A | A | D | N/A | N/A |
| Linoleic Acid | D | N/A | B | D | B | N/A |
| Lithium Chloride | B | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Lithium Hydroxide | N/A | N/A | C | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lubricants | D | D | A | D | D | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide | B | B | B | A | C | B |
| Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide | A | B | A | B | A | B |
| Magnesium Bisulfate | B | B | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Magnesium Carbonate | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Magnesium Chloride | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Magnesium Hydroxide | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Magnesium Nitrate | A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Magnesium Oxide | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Maleic Acid | B | D | D | D | N/A | N/A |
| Maleic Anhydride | D | D | D | D | N/A | N/A |
| Malic Acid | B | D | A | D | B | N/A |
| Manganese Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Mash | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Mayonnaise | D | A | C | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Melamine | N/A | D | C | A | C | N/A |
| Mercuric Chloride (dilute) | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Mercuric Cyanide | N/A | A | A | A | A | D |
| Mercurous Nitrate | B | B | B | A | N/A | N/A |
| Mercury | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Methane | D | B | A | D | D | N/A |
| Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Methyl Acetate | D | B | D | B | D | A |
| Methyl Acetone | A | D | D | A | N/A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Methyl Acrylate | D | B | D | B | D | N/A |
| Methyl Alcohol 10% | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Methyl Bromide | D | D | B | D | N/A | N/A |
| Methyl Butyl Ketone | D | D | D | A | D | N/A |
| Methyl Cellosolve | D | B | A | B | D | N/A |
| Methyl Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Methyl Dichloride | N/A | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide | D | D | D | D | B | N/A |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Methyl Isopropyl Ketone | D | D | D | C | C | N/A |
| Methyl Methacrylate | D | D | D | D | C | N/A |
| Methylamine | B | N/A | B | A | N/A | A |
| Methylene Chloride | B | N/A | D | C | N/A | A |
| Milk | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Mineral Spirits | D | C | A | D | D | A |
| Molasses | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Monochloroacetic acid | N/A | A | D | C | N/A | B |
| Monoethanolamine | B | D | B | B | B | N/A |
| Morpholine | A | D | D | D | N/A | N/A |
| Motor oil | N/A | B | A | D | N/A | A |
| Mustard | B | A | B | A | N/A | N/A |
| Naphtha | D | D | A | D | D | A |
| Naphthalene | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Natural Gas | N/A | A | A | D | A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Nickel Chloride | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Nickel Nitrate | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Nickel Sulfate | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Nitrating Acid (<15% HNO3) | C | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4) | C | A | D | A | N/A | N/A |
| Nitrating Acid (S1% Acid) | C | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nitrating Acid (S15% H2SO4) | C | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nitric Acid (20%) | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Nitric Acid (50%) | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Nitric Acid (5-10%) | D | B | D | A | C | A |
| Nitric Acid (Concentrated) | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Nitrobenzene | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Nitrogen Fertilizer | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nitromethane | B | D | D | B | D | A |
| Nitrous Acid | C | D | N/A | A | N/A | B |
| Nitrous Oxide | A | A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Aniline | D | D | D | B | D | N/A |
| Oils:Anise | N/A | D | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Bay | N/A | D | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Bone | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Castor | A | A | B | B | A | N/A |
| Oils:Cinnamon | N/A | C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Citric | N/A | D | D | B | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Clove | N/A | C | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Coconut | D | C | A | D | A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Oils:Cod Liver | D | B | A | A | B | N/A |
| Oils:Corn | D | A | D | C | A | N/A |
| Oils:Cottonseed | D | C | A | D | A | A |
| Oils:Creosote | D | C | D | D | D | A |
| Oils:Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50) | D | B | A | D | D | A |
| Oils:Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6) | D | D | B | D | C | A |
| Oils:Ginger | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | D | A | A | D | B | N/A |
| Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | D | A | D | A | B | N/A |
| Oils:Lemon | N/A | D | N/A | D | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Linseed | D | D | A | D | A | N/A |
| Oils:Mineral | D | B | A | D | C | A |
| Oils:Olive | D | B | D | D | D | N/A |
| Oils:Orange | N/A | C | A | N/A | D | N/A |
| Oils:Palm | N/A | D | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Peanut | D | B | A | D | A | N/A |
| Oils:Peppermint | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Pine | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Oils:Rapeseed | D | B | D | A | D | N/A |
| Oils:Rosin | N/A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Sesame Seed | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Silicone | D | D | A | A | C | N/A |
| Oils:Soybean | D | C | A | C | A | N/A |
| Oils:Sperm (whale) | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Oils:Tanning | N/A | D | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Oils:Transformer | D | B | A | D | B | N/A |
| Oils:Turbine | D | D | B | A | D | N/A |
| Oleic Acid | D | C | B | B | D | B |
| Oleum 100% | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Oleum 25% | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Oxalic Acid (cold) | B | D | D | A | B | D |
| Ozone | D | C | D | A | A | A |
| Palmitic Acid | B | D | A | B | D | N/A |
| Paraffin | B | B | B | D | N/A | N/A |
| Pentane | D | B | A | D | D | N/A |
| Perchloric Acid | N/A | A | D | B | D | B |
| Perchloroethylene | D | D | C | D | D | A |
| Petrolatum | C | A | A | A | D | N/A |
| Petroleum | D | B | A | D | D | N/A |
| Phenol (10%) | A | D | D | B | D | B |
| Phenol (Carbolic Acid) | D | D | D | B | D | B |
| Phosphoric Acid (>40%) | B | B | D | B | D | A |
| Phosphoric Acid (crude) | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Phosphoric Acid (molten) | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phosphoric Acid (S40%) | B | B | D | B | C | A |
| Phosphoric Acid Anhydride | N/A | A | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phosphorus | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phosphorus Trichloride | D | D | D | A | N/A | A |
| Photographic Developer | A | A | A | B | B | N/A |
| Photographic Solutions | B | B | B | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Phthalic Acid | N/A | A | D | A | B | N/A |
| Phthalic Anhydride | A | A | D | A | N/A | N/A |
| Picric Acid | D | A | C | B | D | A |
| Plating Solutions, Antimony Plating 54oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Arsenic Plating 43oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Brass Plating: High-Speed Brass Bath 43oc | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Brass Plating: Regular Brass Bath 38oc | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Cd Bronze Bath R.T. | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Sn Bronze Bath 71oC | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Zn Bronze Bath 38oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Cadmium Plating: Cyanide Bath 32oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Cadmium Plating: Fluoborate Bath 38oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Barrel Chrome Bath 35oC | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Black Chrome Bath 46oC | N/A | D | C | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Chromic-Sulfuric Bath 54oC | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Fluoride Bath 54oC | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Fluosilicate Bath 35oC | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Acid): Copper Fluoborate Bath 50oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Acid): Copper Sulfate Bath R.T. | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): Copper Strike Bath 50oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): High-Speed Bath 82oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): Rochelle Salt Bath 65oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Misc): Copper (Electroless) | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Misc): Copper Pyrophosphate | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Acid 25oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Cyanide 65oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Neutral 25oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Indium Sulfamate Plating R.T. | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Am Sulfate Bath 65oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Chloride Bath 90oC | N/A | D | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Sulfate Bath 66oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Fluoborate Bath 65oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Sulfamate 60oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Sulfate-Chloride Bath 70oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Lead Fluoborate Plating | N/A | A | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Electroless 95oC | N/A | D | D | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Fluoborate 40-75oC | N/A | A | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: High-Chloride 55-70oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Sulfamate 40-60oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Watts Type 45-70oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Rhodium Plating 50oC | N/A | B | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Silver Plating 30-50oC | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Tin-Fluoborate Plating 40oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Tin-Lead Plating 40oC | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Chloride 60oC | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Fluoborate Bath R.T. | N/A | C | B | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Sulfate Bath 65oC | N/A | B | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Alkaline Cyanide Bath R.T. | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Potash (Potassium Carbonate) | A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Bicarbonate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Potassium Bromide | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Potassium Chlorate | N/A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Potassium Chloride | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Potassium Chromate | B | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Cyanide Solutions | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Potassium Dichromate | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Potassium Ferricyanide | B | A | D | A | N/A | A |
| Potassium Ferrocyanide | A | A | D | A | N/A | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) | B | B | B | A | C | B |
| Potassium Hypochlorite | C | B | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Iodide | B | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Nitrate | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Potassium Oxalate | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Permanganate | A | A | C | A | N/A | N/A |
| Potassium Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Potassium Sulfide | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Propane (liquefied) | D | C | A | D | D | A |
| Propylene | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Propylene Glycol | A | C | A | A | A | N/A |
| Pyridine | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Pyrogallic Acid | N/A | A | N/A | B | N/A | A |
| Resorcinal | N/A | D | N/A | B | N/A | N/A |
| Rosins | N/A | A | A | N/A | A | A |
| Rum | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Rust Inhibitors | N/A | C | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Salad Dressings | N/A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Salicylic Acid | A | N/A | B | A | N/A | A |
| Salt Brine (NaCl saturated) | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Sea Water | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Shellac (Bleached) | A | B | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Shellac (Orange) | D | D | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Silicone | C | A | A | A | C | N/A |
| Silver Bromide | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Silver Nitrate | A | A | B | A | A | A |
| Soap Solutions | B | B | A | A | A | N/A |
| Soda Ash (see Sodium Carbonate) | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sodium Acetate | A | B | B | A | D | A |
| Sodium Aluminate | B | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Benzoate | A | A | B | A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Bisulfate | A | A | B | A | A | A |
| Sodium Bisulfite | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sodium Borate (Borax) | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sodium Bromide | A | A | N/A | A | N/A | A |
| Sodium Carbonate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Chlorate | A | A | B | A | C | N/A |
| Sodium Chloride | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Chromate | B | A | A | N/A | N/A | A |
| Sodium Cyanide | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Ferrocyanide | B | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Fluoride | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Hydrosulfite | C | B | C | B | C | N/A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (20%) | A | B | A | B | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Sodium Hydroxide (50%) | A | B | A | B | A | B |
| Sodium Hydroxide (80%) | A | B | D | B | A | A |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%) | C | C | B | B | B | A |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (100%) | C | C | D | B | B | A |
| Sodium Hyposulfate | C | C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Metaphosphate | A | B | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sodium Metasilicate | A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Sodium Nitrate | B | B | A | A | D | A |
| Sodium Perborate | B | B | B | A | B | A |
| Sodium Peroxide | B | B | B | A | D | A |
| Sodium Polyphosphate | C | B | A | A | D | A |
| Sodium Silicate | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Sulfate | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Sulfide | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Sulfite | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Sodium Tetraborate | A | B | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) | B | A | B | A | A | A |
| Sorghum | A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Soy Sauce | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Stannic Chloride | A | C | A | A | B | A |
| Stannic Fluoborate | N/A | A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Stannous Chloride | A | A | A | C | B | A |
| Starch | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Stearic Acid | N/A | B | B | B | B | N/A |
| Stoddard Solvent | D | C | A | D | D | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Styrene | D | D | D | D | D | N/A |
| Sugar (Liquids) | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Sulfate (Liquors) | B | B | A | A | B | N/A |
| Sulfur Chloride | D | D | D | D | C | A |
| Sulfur Dioxide | N/A | B | D | A | B | A |
| Sulfur Dioxide (dry) | C | D | D | A | B | A |
| Sulfur Hexafluoride | D | A | B | B | B | N/A |
| Sulfur Trioxide | C | D | D | C | B | N/A |
| Sulfur Trioxide (dry) | N/A | D | D | C | B | N/A |
| Sulfuric Acid (<10%) | A | B | A | A | C | A |
| Sulfuric Acid (10-75%) | C | B | B | B | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid (75-100%) | D | D | C | B | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid (cold concentrated) | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid (hot concentrated) | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Sulfurous Acid | B | C | B | B | D | A |
| Sulfuryl Chloride | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tallow | N/A | B | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Tannic Acid | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Tanning Liquors | C | A | B | B | B | N/A |
| Tartaric Acid | A | A | A | B | A | A |
| Tetrachloroethane | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Tetrachloroethylene | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Tetrahydrofuran | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Tin Salts | A | N/A | A | B | B | N/A |
| Toluene (Toluol) | D | D | D | D | D | B |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| Tomato Juice | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | C | D | N/A | B | D | A |
| Trichloroethane | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Trichloroethylene | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Trichloropropane | D | A | D | N/A | N/A | A |
| Tricresylphosphate | B | C | D | A | C | N/A |
| Triethylamine | B | A | C | A | N/A | A |
| Trisodium Phosphate | A | A | A | A | A | N/A |
| Turpentine | D | D | N/A | D | D | A |
| Urea | N/A | B | B | A | B | N/A |
| Uric Acid | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Urine | D | D | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Varnish | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Vegetable Juice | N/A | N/A | A | A | B | N/A |
| Vinegar | B | B | B | A | A | A |
| Vinyl Acetate | D | D | D | B | D | N/A |
| Vinyl Chloride | C | D | D | C | N/A | N/A |
| Water, Acid, Mine | B | C | A | A | B | A |
| Water, Deionized | A | A | A | A | N/A | A |
| Water, Distilled | A | A | A | A | C | A |
| Water, Fresh | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Water, Salt | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Weed Killers | N/A | C | A | N/A | A | N/A |
| Whey | N/A | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whiskey & Wines | A | C | A | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
| White Liquor (Pulp Mill) | N/A | A | A | N/A | A | N/A |
| White Water (Paper Mill) | N/A | A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Xylene | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Zinc Chloride | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Zinc Hydrosulfite | N/A | A | A | A | N/A | N/A |
| Zinc Sulfate | A | A | A | A | A | |
| Fluid | Nat. Rubber | Neoprene | Buna N | EPDM | Silicone | Kel_F |
Chemical compatibility is particularly important when selecting elastomers used in seals, gaskets, O-rings, flexible hoses and other components exposed to process fluids.
Exposure to an incompatible chemical can cause an elastomer to swell, soften, harden or otherwise deteriorate. These changes can affect the ability of the component to perform its intended function.
When comparing materials, first identify the fluid and its concentration, then consider the expected operating temperature and service conditions. Use the table to identify potentially suitable elastomers before checking the selected material against more detailed manufacturer or supplier data.
For safety-critical or demanding applications, compatibility should always be confirmed for the exact elastomer grade and actual operating conditions.
Elastomer chemical resistance describes the ability of a rubber or elastomer material to withstand contact with a chemical or fluid without unacceptable deterioration. Compatibility varies considerably between elastomer types, so the material should be selected for the particular fluid and operating conditions.
Find the required chemical or fluid in the first column and read across the row to compare the resistance ratings for natural rubber, Neoprene, Buna N, EPDM, silicone and Kel-F. The table can be used as a preliminary guide when selecting materials for seals, gaskets, O-rings, hoses and similar components.
A indicates excellent resistance, B good resistance, C fair or limited resistance and D poor resistance or severe attack. N/A indicates that resistance information is not available in the table.
Yes. Chemical resistance can change with temperature and other operating conditions. The ratings in this table generally relate to fluids at approximately 21°C unless otherwise stated, so additional compatibility data should be checked for applications operating at different temperatures.
The table is useful for preliminary material selection and comparison, but it should not be the sole basis for final material selection. Chemical concentration, temperature, exposure time and the exact elastomer formulation can affect performance. Manufacturer or supplier compatibility data should be consulted for critical applications.