Dictionary of Polymer Terminology

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NBR

Definition

NBR stands for “Nitrile Butadiene Rubber” or simply called as “Nitrile Rubber” or “Buna-N”. It is an oil resistant synthetic rubber produced from copolymerization of butadiene and acrylonitrile. The common areas where it find its applications are gaskets; rollers; fuel hoses and various other products where resistance to oil is required.

Explanation

The nitrile rubber or Buna N or Nitrile Butadiene Rubber is a synthetic rubber grade and provides very good resistance to petroleum based oil products such as lubrication oils, coolants, engine oil, animal and vegetable oils, etc and because of such properties this material is preferred over other materials to be used in applications where metal adhesion and abrasion resistance is required.

Nitrile rubber offers better resistance compared to natural rubber when it comes to heat aging and it does not harden and loses its damping capabilities. Because of such properties, this material finds its applications in manufacturing of:

  • Carburetors
  • Fuel pump diaphragms
  • Aircraft hoses
  • Gaskets
  • Oil seals and oil lined tubing