Ethylene / Acrylic elastomer (AEM, Vamac®)

Ethylene / acrylic elastomer is a copolymer of ethylene and methyl acrylate plus a small amount of a curesite monomer containing carboxylic acid groups. AEM is a tough, low-compression-set rubber with excellent resistance to high temperatures, hot mineral oil, fluids and weathering. The low temperature flexibility and mechanic properties are better than ACM, but it is not well resistant to low aniline oil (like ASTM No. 3 oil) and polar solvents. AEM is typically chosen for applications requiring improved performance versus Nitrile rubber, Neoprene or reduced cost versus higher-end elastomers such as HNBR, FKM. It also usually is applied in automatic industry.

Cure system – Amine-Cured

Standard AEM compounds are Amine based vulcanization system.

Other Common Variations

• AEM has good flexibility and good tear resistance, abrasion and compression set, and it usually is used in shaft lip seals especially in automatic transmission fluids.
• Special VAMAC compounds can improve oil resistance but will sacrifice some low temperature properties

General Information
ASTM D 1418 Designation: AEM
ISO/DIN 1629 Designation: AEM
ASTM D2000 / SAE J 200 Codes: EE
Standard Color(s): Black
Hardness Range: 40 to 85 Shore A
Relative Cost: Medium- High

Service Temperatures

Standard Low Temperature: -30°C / -22°F
Standard High Temperature: 150°C / 300°F
Special Compound Low Temperature: -40°C / -40°F
Special Compound High Temperature: 175°C / 345°

Vamac® is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Polymers.