Ethylene Acrylic Elastomer
AEM Rubber (Vamac)
AEM (ethylene acrylic elastomer) sits between general-purpose rubbers and fluoroelastomers, offering good heat and oil resistance at a lower cost than FKM. We supply AEM sheet and gaskets for automotive, industrial, and under-hood sealing applications.
At a Glance
Temperature Range
-40 °C to +150 °C continuous (standard); +175 °C intermittent peak
Thickness Range
1 mm to 6 mm
Hardness Range
50–80 Shore A
Available Forms
Colours
Brands We Stock
Technical Properties
Typical values across stocked grades. Specific grade data sheets available on request.
Physical Characteristics
Density
1.10–1.20 g/cm³ (ASTM D792)
Tensile Strength
8–16 MPa (ASTM D412)
Elongation at Break
150–400% (ASTM D412)
Compression Set
20–45% at 150 °C / 70 h (ASTM D395)
Chemical Resistance
Resistant To
- Engine oils and transmission fluids (to 150 °C)
- Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
- Gear oils
- Ozone and UV radiation
- Dilute acids and alkalis
- Glycol-based coolants — intermittent only at moderate temperature; long-term hot glycol service is EPDM territory
Limited Resistance
- Water and steam above ~80 °C — AEM hydrolyses progressively from 80 °C in saturated steam; specify EPDM for water/steam service
- Concentrated acids
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (some swelling)
Not Recommended
- Hot water and steam above 150 °C (use EPDM or silicone instead)
- Ketones and esters; use FFKM
- Highly aromatic fuels (FKM is the right choice here)
- Strong alkalis at elevated temperature; use EPDM
- Chlorinated solvents — use FKM or FFKM
Environmental Ratings
Weather Resistance
Good, provided UV-stabilised compounds are specified for outdoor use
Ozone Resistance
Excellent. No cracking observed under standard ozone exposure tests.
UV Resistance
Good in black compounds, where carbon black absorbs UV and resists degradation
Standards & Certifications
Standards Compliance
Common Applications
- Automotive rocker cover and sump gaskets
- Transmission and powertrain seals
- Turbocharger and EGR system gaskets
- Under-hood seals exposed to hot engine oil
- Industrial gearbox and bearing housing gaskets
- High-temperature oil-resistant sealing where FKM cost is prohibitive
Not Recommended For
- Poor resistance to hot water and steam above 100 °C, where hydrolysis degrades the polymer. Use EPDM for water/steam service.
- Not resistant to ketones, esters, or chlorinated solvents. Specify FKM or FFKM for solvent service.
- Lower chemical resistance than FKM. AEM is a cost-effective compromise, not a replacement for fluoroelastomers.
- Limited availability compared to mainstream rubbers, with fewer off-the-shelf thickness options
- Higher cost than nitrile for oil-resistant applications below 100 °C, where nitrile is more economical if lower heat resistance is acceptable
Available Grades
Brands we stock: Vamac
AEM Standard (70 Shore A)
General-purpose ethylene acrylic sheet for hot oil and automotive gasket applications. Balances heat resistance, oil resistance, and cost between nitrile and FKM.
AEM High-Temperature (70–80 Shore A)
Optimised Vamac compound for sustained service to 165 °C. Used in turbocharger and EGR gasket applications where standard AEM reaches its limit.
Need AEM Rubber (Vamac)?
We supply aem rubber (vamac) in sheet, roll, and custom die-cut forms. Contact our team for pricing, data sheets, or technical assistance.
Disclaimer
This resource is provided for general engineering reference only and does not constitute professional advice, specification, or guarantee of performance. Actual results depend on specific application conditions. Universal Gaskets Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for decisions made based on this information. For full terms, see our Terms & Conditions.