PROEXPORT / TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Chemical Resistance Chart for Industrial Roller Coverings
Chemical resistance depends on the base elastomer polymer, medium concentration, operating temperature, and exposure time. This chart serves as PROEXPORT’s engineering material selection guide.
KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE
Chemical Resistance Matrix for Elastomers and Coverings
| Chemical Medium | NR | SBR | NBR | EPDM | CR | CSM | FKM | PU | Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral oils & machine greases | X | X | A | X | B | B | A | B | B |
| Fuels & aliphatic hydrocarbons (diesel, gasoline) | X | X | A | X | B | B | A | B | C |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene) | X | X | C | X | X | X | A | X | X |
| Ketones & polar solvents (MEK, acetone) | C | C | X | A | C | C | X | X | B |
| Esters (ethyl acetate, butyl acetate) | X | X | X | B | X | C | C | X | C |
| Alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol) | B | B | B | A | A | A | B | C | A |
| Dilute acids (non-oxidizing) | C | C | B | A | B | A | A | C | B |
| Caustics & sodium hydroxide (NaOH) | C | C | B | A | B | A | B | X | B |
| Hot water & low-pressure steam (to 130°C) | C | C | C | A | C | B | B | X | B |
| Ozone, UV radiation & outdoor weathering | X | X | C | A | B | A | A | B | A |
KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE
Rating Interpretation and Impact of Washdown Solvents
PROEXPORT Chemical Compatibility Classification:
• A — Excellent Resistance: Volume swell < 5%, negligible hardness change, fully suitable for continuous immersion.
• B — Good Resistance: Volume swell 5–15%, minor mechanical property reduction, suitable for regular operational contact.
• C — Conditional Resistance: Volume swell 15–30%, suitable only for intermittent contact or splash zones; material testing recommended.
• X — Not Recommended: Severe swelling > 30%, rapid embrittlement, softening, or dissolution of polymer matrix.
Critical engineering note: Over 70% of premature roller failures are caused not by the primary process fluid, but by aggressive solvents used during end-of-shift washdown procedures (e.g., acetate washes on NBR coverings). We verify the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of both production and cleaning chemicals before finalizing compounding.
KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE
Visible Symptoms of Chemical Degradation on Rollers
- Volumetric swelling — roller outer diameter increases, crowning profile distorts, and nip footprint widens unevenly.
- Severe softening — durometer drops significantly, causing excessive deformation and surface tearing under normal nip loads.
- Surface crazing and orange peel — polymer chain scission from ozone attack, UV radiation, or concentrated acids.
- End-face delamination — chemical penetration at core edges attacking the bonding adhesive primer system.
PROEXPORT / INDUSTRIAL ROLLERS
From technical drawing to line-ready solution.
Submit dimensions, photos, and operating conditions. We will determine the optimal manufacturing or reconditioning scope.