Very few materials offer the combination of hardness and resilience that this product does. Compounds with a hardness of 95 Shore A, for example, are elastic enough to withstand an elongation of more than four times their original size. Standard ADIPRENE® formulations retain their resilience, even when subjected to temperature changes, far better than traditional rubbers, over a temperature range of +10 °C to +110 °C. This stability is crucial in applications such as shock absorbers and mounts.

The load-bearing capacity of Adiprene® articles is far superior to that of conventional elastomers and comparable to that of structural plastics, although they possess the resilience of a true elastomer. As a technical material, it is therefore a good compromise between rubbers and plastics.

The exceptional abrasion resistance of Adiprene® has enabled it to be used in many important applications where heavy wear is a serious problem. In actual service, Adiprene® has outperformed other rubbers, plastics and even metals, sometimes by a ratio of as much as 100 to 1. Adiprene® has significantly higher impact resistance than structural plastics and in low temperatures is far superior to conventional polyurethanes.

Adiprene® (self-lubricating) has a low coefficient of friction that decreases inversely with increasing hardness.This characteristic, combined with superior abrasion resistance and high load capacity, is an important reason for the use of Adiprene® for bushings and bearings.

Adiprene® has exceptional resistance to oils and solvents, so the manufactured articles are particularly suitable for operation in the presence of lubricating oils and automotive fuels.

Adiprene® products offer limited flame resistance. Special formulations have been tested, on behalf of PIEFFE, by organisations accredited by the Ministry of the Interior, for use in the railway and tramway sector.

Adiprene® articles possess good resistance to permanent compression deformation. This explains the reason for their use as mould counterforms in sheet metal shaping where tens of thousands of operations are normally carried out.

Hot – Adiprene® articles perform well at high temperatures. The limiting temperature is usually 90 °C for continuous service and 120 °C for intermittent exposure. With peaks of 130 – 140 °C for optimal formulations. Cold – Adiprene® remains flexible at very low temperatures and has outstanding resistance to temperature changes. Standard formulations do not embrittle down to temperatures of -73 °C (100 °F), although stiffening gradually increases as the temperature drops below -18 °C (-0.4 °F). However, special formulations can be made that retain some flexibility even at temperatures of -90°C (-130°F). Adiprene® is successfully used at cryogenic temperatures in the handling of non-oxidising liquefied gases.

Weather conditions are not a problem for the performance of Adiprene®. Prolonged exposure to UV light may possibly darken and imperceptibly reduce the physical properties of articles made from Adiprene®, but without causing functional deterioration. Oxygen and ozone, in atmospheric concentrations, have no appreciable effect on ADIPRENE®: formulations exposed to 300 pphm of ozone under static conditions and under tension for 500 hours, for example, show no signs of cracking or crazing.

Adiprene® resists swelling and deteriorating effects caused by immersion in water. Standard formulations do not feed fungal growth and are generally resistant to attack by microorganisms. Aging in storage or prolonged use under normal service conditions pose no problem for Adiprene®. Adiprene® offers excellent resistance to gamma radiation: the articles are able to provide excellent service even when exposed to relatively high doses of radiation of 1 x 107 J/Kg (1 x 109 rads). Under high vacuum conditions, Adiprene® articles are very stable; they contain no solvents and show little weight loss during standard degassing tests.Atmospheric conditions are not a problem for Adiprene® performance. Prolonged exposure to UV light may possibly darken and imperceptibly reduce the physical properties of articles made from Adiprene®, but without causing functional deterioration. Oxygen and ozone, in atmospheric concentrations, have no appreciable effect on ADIPRENE®: formulations exposed to 300 pphm of ozone under static conditions and under tension for 500 hours, for example, show no signs of cracking or crazing.

Adiprene® has been used in compositions for encapsulation and insulation up to 100 kilohertz and temperatures of 110 °C (230 °F). The base polymer can be modified with epoxy resins to enhance its electrical properties and improve its hardness.

Some Adiprene® formulations are sufficiently rigid to be machined with conventional machine tools by skilled operators already familiar with normal plastic processing procedures.