Material Selection by Industry: Elastomer Guide for Automotive, Marine, Rail & More

A practical engineering guide to selecting elastomers for specific Industries

Material selection impacts elastomer performance in automotive, industrial, marine, rail and utilities applications.

Choosing the correct elastomer is fundamental to the long-term performance of precision rubber mouldings, extrusions and bonded assemblies. Temperature range, chemical exposure, dynamic loading, compression set, regulatory requirements and environmental conditions all influence compound selection.

At Harltex, material choice is aligned with both application performance and manufacturing capability. This guide explains how to specify the right rubber compound for your component — and how that decision impacts extrusion, moulding and bonding processes.

Material Selection by Industry Application

Material performance requirements vary significantly between sectors. Selecting the correct elastomer depends on regulatory standards, environmental exposure and mechanical loading conditions specific to each industry.

Automotive & Off-Highway

Automotive applications often involve elevated temperatures, fluid exposure and dynamic loading.

• HNBR for improved heat and oil resistance
• FKM for fuel and chemical exposure
• AEM for air management systems
• NBR for cost-effective oil resistance

Applications include vibration mounts, seals, bonded components and formed parts.

Water & Utilities

Water infrastructure demands long-term durability and weather resistance. Potable water applications may require compliant compounds depending on system specification.

• EPDM for ozone and weather resistance
• Low compression set grades for long-term sealing
• Custom compounds for pressure retention

Applications include pipe seals, gaskets, expansion components and sealing systems.

Industrial & Engineering

General engineering environments require predictable mechanical properties and durability under load.

• NBR for oil resistance
• HNBR for enhanced performance
• EPDM for outdoor exposure
• Bond-compatible grades for metal assemblies

Applications include anti-vibration mounts, protective extrusions and bonded rubber assemblies.

Marine & Outdoor Infrastructure

Marine environments introduce saltwater exposure, UV degradation and fluctuating temperatures.

• EPDM for environmental resistance
• FKM where chemical resistance is required
• Enhanced ageing-resistant formulations

Applications include fenders, seals, protective extrusions and vibration isolation components.

Rail

Rail applications often require durability under vibration, temperature fluctuation and environmental exposure.

• EPDM for weather seals
• HNBR for dynamic performance
• Flame-retardant grades where specified

Applications include sealing systems, anti-vibration components and protective extrusions.

Infrastructure & Construction

Heavy-duty environments require robust, impact-resistant and weather-stable compounds.

• EPDM for outdoor durability
• NBR where oil contamination is possible
• Custom hardness grades for impact resistance

Applications include expansion components, sealing systems and protective elements.

Key Design Considerations for Engineers

When specifying an elastomer, consider:

• Continuous vs intermittent temperature
• Chemical compatibility
• Static vs dynamic loading
• Required Shore A hardness
• Compression set tolerance
• Regulatory compliance
• Environmental ageing resistance

Early collaboration reduces risk, redesign costs and production delays.

From Prototype to Production, Material validation should confirm:

• Seal compression behaviour
• Bond integrity
• Environmental ageing resistance
• Dimensional stability

Testing during prototyping ensures reliable transition to production.

Start Your Partnership with Harltex Today

If you’re looking for high-quality, reliable sealing systems, Harltex has the expertise and solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and discover why engineers, designers, and business leaders trust Harltex to deliver excellence. With Harltex, you gain more than a product—you gain a dedicated partner committed to your success. Let’s build something exceptional together.