Rogers Foam works with the following variety of elastomeric foams:

CR / Polycholoroprene / Neoprene

A general-purpose rubber that has good:

• Elasticity, flexibility and stability in a wide temperature range
• Solvent resistance
• Thermal and electrical insulating capability
• Natural resistance to burning

ECH (Epichlorohydrin)

ECH is a relatively expensive rubber with uses that include gaskets for automotive fluids and business machines with exposure to print toner. It has:

• Good high temperature resistance
• Good cold flexibility
• Excellent resistance to oils, acids, alkalis and ozone

EPDM (Ethylene Propylen Dien Monomer)

First marketed as “crackles rubber,” EPDM has excellent resistance to ozone and heat. The ratio of the 3 main components in the final compound allows custom blending for a wide range of applications. Unfortunately, EPDM has very poor resistance to hydrocarbons, including oil and gasoline. It also has poor resistance to concentrated acids.

Latex / Natural Rubber

The original “foam rubber,” Latex has excellent resistance to compression set (the loss of thickness over use) and high resilience.

NBR / Buna-N / Nitrile Butadiene Rubber / Nitrile

A highly resilient material that is more resistant to oils and acids than natural rubber, but not as flexible. It keeps its physical properties over a wide temperature range. Typical applications include fuel and oil hoses, footwear and fluid seals.

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)

PVC is relatively inexpensive material that has good thermal insulating properties, flexibility, and resistance to weathering. It also has a relatively low maximum operating temperature and high abrasion resistance. Unfortunately, PVC can outgas acidic vapors in hot, humid environments and plasticizer stability can be a problem in contact with rubber based adhesives.

SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber)

SBR is an inexpensive replacement for natural rubber with excellent resistance, flexibility and toughness. By changing the proportions of the 2 main ingredients, a wide range of physical properties can be achieved. SBR is often blended with other synthetic rubbers to produce more cost-effective blends.

VN (Vinyl Nitrile)

A common blend of PVC and nitrile rubber, which is sometimes called “modified PVC.”