Polyurethane elastomers have generally good resistance to adverse conditions encountered in practical applications. Their chemical structure is inherently more stable to hydrocarbon solvents and oxidizing media (including atmospheric oxygen) than that of the conventional hydrocarbon rubbers. Polyurethane elastomers used in oilfield, refinery, mining, printing roll and similar applications take advantage of these resistance properties.

Because of the diversity of exposures to which elastomer parts may be subjected, it is advisable to run exposure tests in the actual solvent or other environmental media to determine durability of the material.

Environmental Resistance of Polyurethane Elastomers and Some Conventional Rubbers

Environment	Polyester Polyurethane Elastomers	Polyether Polyurethane Elastomers	Natural Rubber	Neoprene Rubber	Styrene Butadiene Rubber
Heat	G	F	F	G	G
Cold	G	G	E	G	G
Weather	E	E	P	G	F
Ozone Resistance	E	E	P	F	P
ASTM No. 1 Oil	E	F	P	G	P
ASTM No. 3 Oil	E	P	P	G	P
Aliphatic Solvents e.g., Heptane	E	F	P	G	P
Chlorinated Solvents e.g., Trichloroethane	F – G	P	G	P	P
Aromatic Solvents e.g., Toluene	F	P	P	F	P
Dilute Acids e.g., 5% HNO3	P – F	F	G	G	F – G
Dilute Alkalies e.g., 5% NaOH	P – F	F	G	G	F – G

E = excellent; G = good; F = fair; P = poor