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Nitrile rubber is also called nitrile butadiene rubber, NBR, Buna-N and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. It is a synthetic rubber, and is usually the ideal choice for any product that requires petroleum (oil or gas) resistance.
This material, like many other synthetic rubbers, gained popularity during World War II when natural rubber resources were in short supply around the globe. Different versions of the same polymer were created in different countries, but the U.S. version of Nitrile rubber was called Buna-N.
Today, Nitrile rubber is used mainly when an application requires a resistance to petroleum. It is a common base for gaskets, O-rings and other types of seals.
If Nitrile rubber is the ideal material for your application, give Custom Rubber a call. Even if you aren’t certain, our team of experts can help guide you. Contact Custom Rubber Corp. for answers to your Nitrile rubber questions.
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Nitrile rubber’s biggest advantage is its resistance to petroleum, but it also has several other desirable properties.
Nitrile rubber is not ideal in applications that require prolonged exposure to ozone or heat. Disadvantages include:
Natural
NR Excellent Good -60F to 220F Poor PoorButyl
IIR Excellent Fair -75F to 250F Good PoorEthylene-Propylene
EPDM Good Excellent -70F to 250F Excellent PoorNitrile
NBR Good Good -30F to 250F Poor ExcellentNeoprene / Chloroprene
CR Excellent Excellent -60F to 220F Good FairSilicone
VMQ Good Fair -175F to 450F Excellent FairThe following questions regarding Nitrile rubber applications, properties and uses are frequently asked by our customers. Custom Rubber Corp. is here to provide answers and assist in your decision making process.A: Nitrile rubber is primarily used in applications requiring oil or solvent resistance. Solvents are materials that are oil-based, like paint thinners, turpentine, MEK, etc. Choose Nitrile when your end product will come in contact with these or other oil-based materials.At Custom Rubber, we have used Nitrile rubber to make bumper pieces that slide along a greased track as well as nitrile rubber seals used for underground conduits. We have also blended Nitrile rubber and PVC plastic to create heavy duty power distribution products, like the wires strung with lights used to illuminate construction sites.Throughout the industry, Nitrile rubber is often used to create latex-alternative rubber gloves, oil-resistant footwear, floor mats, transmission belts for cars, synthetic leather, V belts and as a component of different adhesives.A: No, Nitrile rubber is not a natural rubber. It is a human-made, synthetic material. For more information on this topic, we've published an article explaining the difference between natural and synthetic rubber here. A: Nitrile rubber’s lifespan, like nearly all rubber materials, depends on how it is formulated, stored and applied. Nitrile rubber exposed to the elements can have an extremely short life whereas Nitrile rubber kept immoible in a dark storage cabinet will last the longest.A: Take good care of your Nitrile rubber by keeping it away from ozone, heat, sun and weather. When not in use, store it in an ozone proof bag.A: Nitrile rubber is not poisonous, but we would not recommend eating a bowl of it for breakfast. Like many synthetics, you can actually formulate Nitrile rubber with all FDA-approved ingredients, but again, that doesn’t mean it’s great for the human body to digest.A: Strictly speaking, there is no great way to moisturize Nitrile rubber. A Nitrile product outside exposed to ozone will inevitably dry and crack. Instead, buy a new part and keep it out of the sun, or use a different type of rubber if the part must stay exposed to sunlight.A: Nitrile rubber can be used in place of natural rubber latex to create rubber gloves if the user is allergic to latex. Nitrile rubber is also much more puncture-resistant than natural rubber, making it an ideal alternative in situations where rubber gloves risk tearing or breakage.A: Both Nitrile and Neoprene rubbers are synthetics with good abrasion and tear resistance. The main difference between the two is that Nitrile rubber is much more oil resistant.A: Nitrile rubber, Buna-N and NBR are all different names for the same thing. They are used interchangeably.A: Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) is made by hydrogenating Nitrile rubber. This change makes the end material stronger against heat and chemicals. It is most commonly used in the manufacturing of O-rings for your car’s air conditioning system, but can be used to create other parts, like seals and membranes, that go into end products. HNBR is more expensive than regular Nitrile rubber.A: Carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) is another formulation of Nitrile rubber that also serves to strengthen the end material. It is also available at an increased cost. Production of both XNBR and HNBR are significantly more expensive than regular Nitrile rubber and are only necessary in limited applications. Not sure which formulation is best for you? We can help you out. Contact Custom Rubber Corp. here. A: There is no exact answer to this question as the price depends on the raw materials market, which is constantly fluctuating. But in comparison to other types of rubber, the price of Nitrile rubber is not overly expensive.A: Yes! Nitrile rubber is good for O-rings because its ideal application is in creating a seal when oil is present. O-Rings are used for fluid sealing. Nitrile rubber provides a cost effective way to create these seals.
The Custom Rubber Corp. team has extensive experience in helping customers formulate Nitrile based rubber for their application and then designing parts that are manufacturable while meeting customer needs.
Is Nitrile rubber right for your application? Contact the Custom Rubber Corp. team today.
Many Rubber product manufacturersrely on various types of synthetic rubber due to various reasons. The demand for synthetic rubbers over natural rubber has increased very rapidly over the recent past. There are many types of synthetic rubber and they are broadly classified into two categories, namely; general-purpose synthetic rubbers and special purpose rubber. General-purpose rubbers are more common and widely used in many manufacturing processes. Neoprene and nitrile rubber are two such widely used general-purpose rubbers. The key difference between neoprene and nitrile rubber is that neoprene is produced by emulsion polymerization of chloroprene (2-chloro-1, 3-butadiene), whereas nitrile rubber is produced by emulsion polymerization of copolymers of butadiene and acrylonitrile.
Nitrile and neoprene exhibit similar properties, but with differing characteristics that make them useful for different applications. Both materials are elastic, and will return to their original shape when stretched. Nitrile is particularly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and temperatures, while neoprene is valued for its weather resistance and durability.
What’s the difference between nitrile vs. neoprene for seals, gaskets, and insulation? Both elastomers provide good resistance to compression set and tearing. They withstand the same range of service temperatures, too. Some grades of neoprene offer excellent resistance to abrasion, but nitrile is known for its abrasion resistance at elevated temperatures.
Nitrile and neoprene rubber have many similarities, but there are some important differences between these elastomers. Below we provide a more in-depth look at the properties and advantages of nitrile and neoprene and their industrial uses.
400% to 600%
100% to 800%
HARDNESS35 to 90
15 to 95
COMPRESSION SETGood
Good
ABRASION RESISTANCEGood to Excellent
Very Good to Excellent
CRACKING RESISTANCEGood
Good to Very Good
TEAR RESISTANCEGood
Good
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FLAME RESISTANCEPoor
Very Good to Excellent
MINIMUM TEMP.-34° C to -56° C
-34° C to -56° C
MAXIMUM TEMP.+104° C to +137°C
+104° C to +137° C
WEATHER RESISTANCEPoor
Good
SUNLIGHT RESISTANCEPoor
Good to Very Good
OZONE RESISTANCEPoor
Good
OXIDATION RESISTANCEGood
Good
WATER RESISTANCEGood to Excellent
Excellent
STEAM RESISTANCEFair
Poor to Good
GAS PERMEABILITYFair to Good
Fair to Good
CHEMICAL RESISTANCEGenerally resistant to Gases, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon, Oils and Fuels
Generally resistant to Moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, oils, fats, greases, and solvents
NO CHEMICAL RESISTANCEGenerally attacked by Ketones, Ozone, Sunlight, Aromatic Oil, Flame, Weather
Generally attacked by Esters, ketones, and chlorinated, aromatic, and nitro hydrocarbons
Also read: A Guide To Know The Difference Between Silicone Rubber & EPDM !!
Nitrile rubber is recommended for applications that require oil and fuel resistance, abrasion resistance, and temperature resistance up to 280° F. In mobile equipment and military vehicles, nitrile seals or gasketsare used in carburetor diaphragms, fuel systems, and hydraulic hoses as well as a popular option for highly durable and disposable medical gloves. Nitrile also supports rubber-to-metal bonding, which makes it a good choice for applications in the processing industry. Yet nitrile isn’t recommended for sealing and insulation that requires resistance to fire, sunlight, ozone, or weather.
Neoprene rubber resists fire and withstands sunlight, ozone, and weather. Specific grades of neoprene can also meet flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) requirements for the mass transit industry. Applications include door seals, window seals, hose covers, vibration mounts, and shock absorbers. Neoprene is also used with HVAC units, electrical or electronic enclosures, and weather stripping for fire doors. Neoprene noise isolators are used to reduce sound vibrations from power transformers. Additional applications include expansion joints and bearing pads in built structures.
Compound selection is critical because choosing the wrong rubber can cause more than just a component-level failure. Depending on your application’s specific needs and requirements, both nitrile and neoprene offer a variety of benefits.
Are you interested in learning more about Custom Adhesives? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!