Nitrile Rubber (NBR)

Nitrile Rubber: The Right Material for Oil Resistance Applications

Nitrile Rubber, or NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), is a synthetic rubber prized for its exceptional resistance to oils, fuels, and chemicals. It handles a wide temperature range and offers good abrasion resistance, heat resistance, water resistance, and breathability.

When the application demands unwavering resistance to oils, fuels, and greases, Nitrile Rubber stands as the undisputed champion. From seals and gaskets in engines to hoses, and hoses and gaskets in industrial settings, Nitrile Rubber plays a crucial role in keeping things running smoothly. Making it a go-to material for a wide range of industrial and automotive applications.

Guangdong Zhongxiang Rubber is your go-to nitrile rubber products manufacturer, nitrile seals, O-rings & gaskets & more. We can work with businesses to design and provide parts customized for the specific needs of your applications, whether you need Buna N nitrile seals, Buna N o-rings, NBR gaskets, or other parts.

What is Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)

NBR, also known as nitrile rubber, Buna-N, NBR Rubber, or perbunan, is a synthetic rubber copolymer widely used in various industrial applications due to its excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and other chemicals. Two big chemical companies, BASF and Bayer, made it first in 1931. It took a few years to sell it to everyone, which started in 1935. Nitrile rubber has long been a key choice in the rubber materials field.

Chemically speaking, nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber copolymer. NBR is made by mixing two chemicals: acrylonitrile and butadiene. By changing how much acrylonitrile is used, we can make different types of NBR. More acrylonitrile makes the rubber stronger against oil. Less acrylonitrile makes it more flexible. This property makes it highly suitable for applications where exposure to oils and fuels is common, such as in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

The manufacturing process of nitrile rubber involves first polymerizing the acrylonitrile and butadiene monomers to form sheet rubber. Then, we add other things like sulfur to make it stronger and more elastic. This process is called vulcanization. We can make the rubber fit different jobs by changing what we add. After this, we can shape the rubber in many ways to make different parts. NBR can be processed using various techniques, including die-cutting, extrusion, molding, and calendering. Nitrile Seals and Nitrile O-rings are the most common applications.

Nitrile Rubber Properties

Common Name: Nitrile Rubber (NBR), Buna-N, nitrile
Chemical Definition: Copolymer of Acrylonitrile and Butadiene
Temperature Range

Low Temperature Usage: -40° to -55° F | -40° to -48°C (depending on acrylonitrile content; lower temperatures with higher acrylonitrile content)
High Temperature Usage: Up to 250°F | Up to 121°C (for short-term exposure, continuous use is generally recommended below 212°F/100°C)

Tensile Strength

Tensile Range (P.S.I): 500-3000 (can reach higher values with specific compounding)
Elongation (Max% %): 300-600 (varies with formulation)
Durometer (Hardness) – Range: 30-95 Shore A (wide range achievable by varying formulation)

Resistance

Abrasion Resistance: Good to Excellent (depends on compound)
Tear Resistance: Good to Excellent (depends on compound)
Solvent Resistance: Excellent to aliphatic hydrocarbons (propane, butane, gasoline), oils, greases, and many hydraulic fluids. Good for some chlorinated solvents.
Oil Resistance: Excellent (especially to mineral oils and fuels)
Aging Weather/Sunlight: Fair to Poor (susceptible to ozone and UV degradation, requiring additives for outdoor use)
Chemical Resistance: Good to many dilute acids and bases.

General Characteristics

Adhesion to Metals: Good
Compression Set: Good to Excellent
Resilience - Rebound: Fair to Good (lower resilience compared to natural rubber)
Gas Permeability: Relatively low, making it suitable for sealing applications.
Electrical Properties: Generally an insulator, though not a primary application.

Nitrile rubber applications

Automotive Industry:

Fuel hoses and seals
O-rings and gaskets
Tubing
Grommets and other molded parts

Aerospace Industry:

Fuel Systems
Hydraulic seals
Fuel tank linings and seals
rubber stripper

Industrial Applications:

Hydraulic hoses and seals
Printing rollers
Gaskets and seals
Industrial equipment seals

Oil and Gas Industry

Seals and gaskets
Wellhead seals
Pipeline seals
Oil-field hoses
Rubber-to-metal bonded parts

Advantages and Benefits of Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile rubber (NBR) has an excellent combination of properties that make it highly valuable in a wide range of applications. Here is a detailed description of its main advantages and benefits:

Excellent oil and fuel resistance
Excellent chemical resistance
High abrasion resistance
Good tear resistance
Wide operating temperature range
Reliable sealing
Nitrile rubber is easy to process and can be molded, extruded, and vulcanized into a variety of shapes and products. This allows it to be efficiently produced and customized to meet different application needs.

Full Custom Nitrile Rubber Part Solutions

Nitrile rubber offers several advantages and benefits, mainly in terms of its excellent resistance properties, good mechanical performance, and wide range of applications. When it comes to specialized applications, custom nitrile rubber part solutions are essential. Guangdong Zhongxiang Rubber is a professional manufacturer specializing in rubber manufacturing, providing tailored components that meet precise specifications, ensuring optimal performance in demanding environments.

We can adjust the nitrile rubber compound to achieve specific properties, Our expert engineers work with clients to design parts that meet their requirements. Rigorous quality control measures are implemented to ensure that parts meet the highest standards. This includes material testing, dimensional inspection, and performance evaluation. Interested in custom nitrile parts for your application? Contact us or call 86-199-2560-3717 to request a quote and get custom nitrile rubber product Solutions with ZYXrubber.

Custom Nitrile Parts Manufacturer

Nitrile rubber, NBR, is a synthetic rubber with excellent oil, chemical resistance and good mechanical properties. We can fabricate custom nitrile seals, NBR O-rings, and other parts to meet your application.

Nitrile Rubber (NBR)