This standard gives requirements for the specification of vulcanised rubber based on the properties of individual rubber types. The standard contains specification tables for the physical properties characterising the rubber as well as a designation system. Since the physical properties of rubber depend on the type of rubber, all rubbers are classified in up to four types and organised by hardness.
The standard includes:
— Natural rubber (NR)
— Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
— Nitrile rubber (NBR)
— Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)
— Nitrile rubber mixed with PVC (NBR/PVC)
— Chloroprene rubber (CR)
— Acrylic rubber (ACM)
— Ethylene acrylic rubber (AEM)
— Fluorocarbon rubber (FKM)
— Silicone rubber (VMQ)
— Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)
— Ethylene propylene rubber (EPM and EPDM).
It is the main polymer in the rubber material that gives the name of the rubber type. The rubber material can also be mixed with other polymers.
The specifications in this standard give good basic materials for general use. For specific product applications materials with modified requirements may be needed. It might also be necessary to specify additional requirements e.g. for the cold-resistant properties.