What substance is resistant to oil and solvent but has poor resistance to chemicals?

• A. SBR
• B. Natural Rubber
• C. Silicone
• D. Neoprene

Answer: (D)

Understanding how elastomers interact with different chemicals is key here. Different rubber types resist oils, solvents, and aggressive chemicals in distinct ways because of their chemical structure. One material stands out for standing up well to petroleum oils and many common solvents, while not being as tough against certain aggressive chemicals.

Neoprene has a saturated, sturdy backbone with chlorine content that helps resist swelling and attack from oils and many solvents. That makes it a reliable choice in environments where oil exposure or solvent contact is expected. However, its chemical resistance isn’t universal. Against strong oxidizers, concentrated acids or bases, chlorinated solvents, or certain ketones and esters, neoprene can degrade more readily, so its resistance to those chemicals is limited.

In contrast, some other elastomers either don’t hold up as well to oil and solvents (like natural rubber or SBR) or, like silicone, can resist many chemicals but swell or degrade in oils and hydrocarbons. So the description of resisting oil and solvents but showing poor resistance to chemicals aligns with neoprene’s typical performance: good oil/solvent resistance, but limited chemical resistance.