Natural rubber is suitable for water, seawater, air, inert gases, alkaline solutions, saltwater solutions, and other media. However, it is not resistant to mineral oils and non-polar solvents. It has a long-term usage temperature limit of 90°C and excellent low-temperature performance, being usable at temperatures above -60°C.

Nitrile rubber is suitable for petroleum-based products such as oil, lubricants, and fuel oils. It has a long-term usage temperature limit of 120°C, and can withstand up to 150°C in hot oil. Its low-temperature performance ranges from -10°C to -20°C.

Chloroprene rubber is suitable for seawater, weak acids, weak alkalis, and salt solutions. It has excellent resistance to oxygen and ozone aging, and its oil resistance is inferior to nitrile rubber but superior to other general-purpose rubbers. It has a long-term usage temperature limit below 90°C, with a maximum usage temperature not exceeding 130°C. Its low-temperature performance ranges from -30°C to -50°C.

Fluororubber has multiple varieties, each with good resistance to acids, oxidation, oils, and solvents. It can be used in almost all acid media and some oils and solvents, with a long-term usage temperature limit below 200°C.

Rubber sheets are commonly used as gaskets for flanges, particularly in pipelines or manholes that require frequent disassembly, with a pressure not exceeding 1.568 MPa. Among various gasket materials, rubber gaskets are the softest and have excellent conformity, providing effective sealing even with low preloading force. However, due to their relatively thick and soft nature, rubber gaskets can be easily extruded when subjected to internal pressure.

Rubber sheets are not suitable for use in organic solvents such as benzene, ketones, and ethers, as they can swell, gain weight, become softer, and exhibit adhesive properties, leading to seal failure. Generally, if the swelling exceeds 30%, the rubber sheet should not be used.

Rubber gaskets are more suitable for low-pressure applications, especially below 0.6 MPa or in vacuum conditions. Rubber materials have good density and low permeability. For example, fluororubber is highly suitable for sealing gaskets in vacuum containers, with a vacuum degree of up to 1.3×10-7 Pa. When using rubber gaskets within the vacuum range of 10-1 to 10-7 Pa, baking and vacuum treatment are required.