Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), also known as Nitrile rubber, is a synthetic rubber copolymer made from butadiene and acrylonitrile. This copolymerization process results in a polymer with excellent oil resistance, high resilience, and good mechanical properties.

• Oil Resistance:Nitrile rubber is highly resistant to oils, fuels, and other petroleum-based fluids. This property makes it ideal for use in applications such as automotive seals, gaskets, O-rings, and hoses, where exposure to oil is common.
• Flexibility: NBR retains flexibility over a wide range of temperatures, from sub-zero temperatures to elevated temperatures. It maintains its elasticity and sealing properties even in harsh environments, making it suitable for dynamic sealing applications.
• Tensile Strength: NBR has good tensile strength, tear resistance, and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring durability and longevity.
• Chemical Resistance: In addition to oil resistance, NBR also exhibits resistance to various chemicals, acids, and alkaline substances. This makes it useful in applications where exposure to harsh chemicals is a concern.
• Low Permeability: Nitrile rubber has low gas and vapor permeability, which makes it suitable for applications requiring gas or fluid containment, such as fuel tanks, seals, and gaskets.
• Manufacturing Processes: NBR can be produced using various polymerization methods, including emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, and hot polymerization. These methods allow for the production of NBR with different properties and molecular structures to suit specific applications.
• Applications:Nitrile rubber finds widespread use in automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. Some common applications include seals and gaskets in engines and hydraulic systems, fuel hoses, oil-resistant gloves, conveyor belts, and seals for pumps and valves.
• Modifiers and Blends:NBR can be compounded with other materials and additives to modify its properties. For example, adding plasticizers can improve flexibility, while adding fillers can enhance abrasion resistance. NBR is often blended with other elastomers such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or natural rubber (NR) to achieve specific performance requirements.

Overall, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is valued for its excellent oil resistance, flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance, making it a versatile material for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.