Finding the most appropriate elastomer for an application is not as simple as choosing a sheet colored red, white or black. Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and other elastomers each present their own set of characteristics and abilities to the table; thus, it is vital to be aware of both an elastomer’s traits and the demands of an application in order to form an effective and lasting pairing.

Nitrile sheet rubber is commonly used in the automotive and aeronautical industries where the nitrile elastomer is valued for its resistance to oils and certain types of fuels. Originally synthesized in Germany in 1929, NBR rubber became coveted by industrial countries across the world because of the unique oil-resistant traits it possessed. Offered only in the colors of white and black, nitrile prefers function rather than aesthetic appearance. Nitrile sheet rubber is very popular because will perform when and where most other rubbers simply cannot. Check out how NBR rubber compares with some other useful elastomers:

• NBR vs. natural rubber: At first glance the elastomers may seem like identical twins. They both possess superior physical properties including high tensile strength, low compression set and good abrasion resistance. NBR and natural rubber even share the same resistant properties to UV rays, ozone and excessive heat. However, NBR rubber has one edge over natural rubber. The defining feature of NBR is its resistance to oils, grease and other fuels. Therefore, it is more appropriate to consider the two rubbers as fraternal twins.
• NBR vs. chloroprene (CR): As far as oil-resistant sheets go, nitrile and chloroprene (CR, neoprene) are the few and the proud. No other elastomers can maintain their stability when exposed to oil, grease and fuel. In regards to other properties, CR outperforms NBR in nearly every way and boasts of a highly valued resistance to ozone. However, nitrile elastomer has a lower compression set and a lower price tag, making it the more affordable option.
• NBR vs. styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR): SBR is the best synthetic elastomer to use in dynamic and abrasive conditions. Matched only by natural rubber, SBR will not easily wear away as a result of abrasions. In addition SBR is one of the lowest cost rubber products. NBR rubber has a moderate resistance to abrasions in addition to a higher tensile strength and a lower compression set. The key feature that distinguishes the two is that NBR is an oil-resistant nitrile elastomer. If you need a rubber product that will come into contact with petroleum by-products and will see constant abrasion, then NBR oil-resistant sheets are the perfect product for the task.
• NBR vs. ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM): Of all the synthetic and natural elastomers available, natural rubber, NBR, and SBR are the ones that would prefer to stay inside. When exposed to UV rays and ozone such elastomers dry out and become brittle, essentially making the material worthless. EPDM is one rubber that welcomes the sunshine and does not lose its integrity in outdoor conditions. The outdoors is where it performs best. However, it does not match nitrile sheet rubber when it comes to in-door and oil-resistant uses. The NBR nitrile elastomer can handle oils and greases far better than EPDM, making it highly preferred in the automotive industry.
• NBR vs. silicone: Just as nitrile is regarded as the oil- and grease-resistant elastomer, silicone is widely known as the temperature-tolerant rubber. Compared to NBR, silicone lacks some fundamental physical traits, like tensile strength and abrasion resistance. Despite this, it is common to find silicone and NBR rubber used for similar gasket and seal material. White nitrile and white silicone are both often used in food grade applications, with silicone performing very well when temperatures exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Aesthetically, silicone comes in more colors than NBR. It can come in red, white, grey, and black. Nitrile, on the other hand, only comes in the colors white and black.

It is because of the traits detailed above that nitrile elastomer made waves when it was first introduced back in the years leading up to World War II. As the armies of the industrial nations became more and more mechanized, the need for oil-resistant sheets for their vehicles became a national priority for each party involved. The popularity of nitrile elastomer continues to this day. Besides automotive applications, nitrile sheet rubber components can be found in food processing operations and industrial machinery. Although the elastomer possesses a rare resistance to oil, NBR rubber is still utilized for its physical and mechanical qualities that match those of many other elastomers. Overall, NBR is a great elastomer that is tried and tested. Nitrile sheet rubber will be an industry favorite for many decades to come.