Nitrile Rubber (NBR)

Nitrile Rubber is a synthetic rubber produced by polymerization of acrylonitrile with butadiene. Nitrile synthetic rubber is also known as NBR, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, and NR. This type of synthetic rubber is widely used in a number of applications. In fact, industrial nitrile rubber is one of the very sought after variety of synthetic rubber by most of the manufaturing units. In the year 2005, worldwide consumption of NBR had reached almost 368,000 metric tons annually and the global market for nitrile butadiene rubber has been forecast to exceed 645 thousand tons by the year 2017.

What is Nitrile Rubber (NBR)?

Nitrile rubber or NBR is a synthetic rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. The chemical name of nitrile synthetic rubber is acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer. It is one of the important synthetic rubber types having a high resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbon oils and fuels. There are different grades available with nitrile rubber manufacturers and suppliers. The higher the acrylonitrile (ACN) content in a grade of nitrile rubber, the higher will be the oil resistance but then the low temperature flexibility will get poorer.

Nitrile Synthetic Rubber Properties

Nitrile rubber has high resilience and high wear resistance. However, it has only moderate strength along with limited weathering resistance and poor aromatic oil resistance. Nitrile rubber can generally be used down to about -30C but special grades of NBR can work at lower temperatures too. Following is the list of Nitrile Rubber Properties.

• Nitrile Rubber belongs to the family of unsaturated copolymers of acrylonitrile and butadiene.
• The physical and chemical properties of nitrile rubber vary depending on the polymer’s composition of acrylonitrile.
• Different grades are available for this rubber. The higher the acrylonitrile content within the polymer, the higher the oil resistance.
• It is generally resistant to fuel and other chemicals.
• It can withstand a range of temperatures.
• It has inferior strength and flexibility, compared to natural rubber.
• Nitrile rubber is also resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• It is less resistant to ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters and aldehydes.
• It has high resilience and high wear resistance but only moderate strength.
• It has limited weathering resistance.
• It can generally be used down to about -30 degree celcius , but special grades can also operate at lower temperatures.

Applications of Nitrile Rubber

NBR or the nitrile synthetic rubber is considered the workhorse of the rubber products of the automotive and other industrial units. By selecting an elastomer with the appropriate acrylonitrile content in balance with other properties, industrial nitrile rubber (NBR) is used in a wide variety of application areas requiring oil, fuel, and chemical resistance. In the automotive area, NBR is used in water handling applications and in fuel and oil handling hose, seals and grommets. With a temperature range of –40 to +125 degree celcius, NBR materials can withstand all automotive applications. This form of synthetic rubber because of its resilience is the perfect material for disposable lab, cleaning, and examination gloves.

Nitrile Rubber Manufacturers and Suppliers

We have a large database of wholesale nitrile rubber manufacturers and suppliers. Go to the Rubber Goods Suppliers Directory and find nitrile synthetic rubber manufacturers and suppliers. You may also fill up this simple business enquiry form to receive competitive qoutes from reliable Nitrile Rubber Manufacturers and Suppliers.

Industrial Nitrile Rubber- Uses

The industrial nitrile rubber is used for making variety of goods including:

• Roll covers
• Hydraulic hoses
• Conveyor belting
• Graphic arts
• Oil field packers
• Seals for all kinds of plumbing and appliance applications
• Injection or transfer molded products
• Extruded hose or tubing
• Calendered sheet goods (floor mats and industrial belting)
• Various sponge articles

Other Types of Synthetic Rubber