NBR Rubber

Properties of NBR rubber

NBR rubber (Nitrile Butadiene Dubber), also known as nitrile rubber for short, is an elastomer. It is a synthetic polymer obtained from the copolymerisation of acrylonitrile and 1,3-butadiene. The remaining double bonds in the polymer mean that the material can be vulcanised with sulphur to create a synthetic rubber. This rubber has excellent mechanical properties, which means that the material will return to its original shape after compression. Due to its hard-wearing properties, nitrile rubber also has a long life span. It is very resistant to oils, greases, lubricants, hydrocarbons and a number of dilute acids. The material also has good heat resistance, with an effective temperature range between -30°C and 120°C. While it is also reasonably resistant to UV radiation and the influence of ozone, nitrile rubber is mainly used indoors. NBR sheet rubber has a high fracture resistance, which means it can handle bending and compression. It is not permeable to gases. Nitrile rubber is not resistant to aromatic compounds, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, strong acids or substances such as car brake fluid. However, it is resistant to inorganic chemicals, except antioxidants and chlorine. The material’s acrylonitrile content, which varies between 18% and 50%, partially determines these properties. On average it contains around 34% acrylonitrile. The higher the percentage, the better the mechanical properties and the resistance to oil and fuel, but there is also a tendency for the rubber to become brittle faster at higher temperatures.

NBR rubber applications

Because the material is so resistant to prolonged contact with oil, NBR rubber is often used in settings such as garages or workshops, oil platform construction, and the petrochemical industry. It is also used to make seals for use in industry, and is the most common material for O-rings. Another familiar example is nitrile gloves, which are hygienic gloves used in the medical sector. Other applications include cable and pipe coverings and linings, belts, and components in beverage filling machines.

How EKI delivers NBR rubber

Nijmegen-based manufacturer EKI can supply you with high-quality nitrile rubber products in both standard and custom sizes. The rubber generally comes in black, with the white rubber mainly being used in the food industry. Our NBR rubber items can be delivered both in bulk and in small quantities. Regardless of the size of the purchase, we can deliver our products quickly throughout Europe. If you have specific requirements or questions about our products or their technical specifications, please contact us via +31(0)243773378 or info@eki.nl.