Nitrile Rubber (NBR, Buna-N)
Description:
Nitrile rubber, also known as Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and Buna-N, is a synthetic copolymer composed of acrylonitrile and butadiene. Nitrile is widely used due to its resistance to oils, fuels, and other chemicals.
Common Uses:
Nitrile is found in:
- Automotive, marine, and aeronautical fuel and oil systems
- Disposable non-latex gloves
- Belts, hoses, O rings, gaskets
- Oil seals
- Adhesives
- Footwear and floor mats
Properties:
Standard Compound: -40°C (-40°F) to 100°C (212°F)
Special Compound: -55°C (-67°F) to 135°C (275°F)
Hardness: 40 to 90 Shore A
ASTM D1418 Designation: NBR
ASTM D2000 Designation: BF, BG, BK, CH
Standard Colors: Black
Optional Colors:
Production:
Standard NBR compounds have a 34% acrylonitrile (ACN) content. However, the ACN content can be varied from 18% to 50% to adjust the temperature and resistance properties of the material.
Nitriles can be sulfur or peroxide cured which affects the temperature and hardness and compression set properties of the material.
Advantages:
Nitrile rubber compounds perform especially well in petroleum based fuels and oils, aliphatic hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, silicone oils and greases, ethylene glycol, dilute acids, and water below 100°C (212°F).
Limitations:
Nitrile rubber compounds are susceptive to the ozone, ketones, ethers, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, automotive brake fluid, strong acids, and aldehydes. Products made with Nitrile rubber, such as non-latex gloves, may spontaneously oxidize when coming into contact with strong oxidizers.