Learn how to choose the correct elastomer for rubber mouldings, extrusions and bonded components — comparing temperature, chemical resistance, hardness, and application requirements.

A practical engineering guide to selecting elastomers for mouldings, extrusions and bonded rubber components.

✔ What materials are covered
✔ Typical applications
✔ How to choose
✔ Industries supported

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.

Rubber Material Performance & Comparative Properties

For a full list of available elastomers and compound types, see our rubber materials overview.

Selecting a compound requires understanding how each material performs under real operating conditions.

EPDM

NBR

HNBR

FKM

AEM

Silicone

Material selection should reflect actual service conditions rather than nominal ratings.

How Material Selection Impacts Extrusion, Moulding & Bonding

Material behaviour directly influences process stability, tolerances and long-term durability.

Extruded Rubber Profiles

Compound viscosity and cure characteristics affect:

Selecting the correct compound improves repeatability and long-term sealing reliability, particularly in complex rubber extrusions where dimensional control is critical.

Precision Rubber Mouldings

Flow behaviour and shrinkage rates impact:

Flow behaviour and shrinkage rates directly affect tool design and dimensional accuracy in precision rubber mouldings.

Rubber-to-Metal Bonded Components

Bond strength and fatigue resistance depend on:

Engineered adhesion performance is critical in rubber-to-metal bonded components, where compound compatibility influences long-term fatigue resistance.

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.