Natural Rubber and Nitrile Rubber – Is there a significant ...

The first, most obvious, difference between natural rubber and nitrile rubber is source. 

This is an interesting question. Though there is a significant difference in the way both are produced, and in the ideal application of each, one is not necessarily better than the other. Both are polymers, which are substances made up of large molecules composed of many repeated sub-units. Each display highly valued properties and are used in many industrial and household applications.

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Natural rubber is made from the sap of trees, called Heveabrasiliensis, which grow on plantations in South America and South Asia.  The sap, a sticky, milky liquid, is harvested through a process called tapping where incisions are made in the trees causing natural latex to trickle into containers.  Because It is a natural product and ecologically friendly, it is the perfect material for environmentally-conscious consumers.  Though it is an important raw material and used in many industries, natural rubber can be difficult to process.

Another difference is product consistency.

There is no variation in natural rubber.  It is generally all harvested and processed the same way, which produces the same product universally.  Natural rubber is generally more-supple than other rubber types and can be used in a variety of forms. It is ideal for use in wiper blades, machine skirting, and even as drum practice pads.  It is also used to make tires, gloves, and rubber mats.

Natural Rubber Properties

Despite having highly valued properties, natural rubber demonstrates poor resistance to atmospheric oxygen, ozone, oils, and various hydrocarbon solvents.  In addition, natural rubber products do not have the same high levels of chemical and temperature resistance as nitrile rubber. This is because synthetic rubbers, in general, are engineered to include certain properties, such as resistance to specific substances, whereas natural rubber is a product which has been derived from nature. In terms of industrial uses, natural rubber is more suited for light to medium grade applications that do not involve overly abrasive temperatures and chemical conditions.  When you think of natural rubber, think rubber bands &#; no other product has elongation like natural rubber. Natural rubber is also used in wiper blades and machine skirting.

Nitrile Rubber is a Man-Made Polymer.

By way of contrast, nitrile rubber, also known as NBR or Buna-N, is a man-made polymer produced under controlled conditions. It was developed during World War II in response to a growing need for oil-resistant rubber that could serve as a more durable alternative to natural rubber.  It is produced using petroleum-based materials, and is a synthetic rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene.  This means that it is not a natural product and its production can have some detrimental effects to the environment. Despite this, the demand for nitrile rubber continues to grow.

Nitrile Pubber Properties

NBR has properties that make it an excellent solution for sealing applications. Unlike natural rubber, it has a superior level of resistance against synthetic and natural grease products and is highly recommended for use in areas where petroleum products are present.   It can be used to provide long-lasting machinery components which might be exposed to fuel or lubricants. In commercial kitchens, it is common for cooking oil or food grease to spill or splatter. Nitrile rubber sheeting ensures that kitchen products will remain effective longer. Nitrile sheets can also be used in laboratories, where spills of caustic agents are likely.  It can be found in disposable non-latex gloves, automotive transmission belts, hoses, O-rings, gaskets, oil seals, V belts, synthetic leather, printer&#;s form rollers, and as cable jacketing; NBR latex can also be used in the preparation of adhesives and as a pigment binder.

Nitrile Rubber &#; Key Advantage Over Natural Rubber

Nitrile rubber also offers resistance to heat aging &#; often a key advantage over natural rubber, which can harden and lose its damping capability. Nitrile rubber is also a great material choice for applications that require abrasion resistance and metal adhesion.    Because it is produced artificially, it is easier to make. It doesn&#;t need to be produced in a certain region or at a certain time of year, and does not rely on weather.  The main advantage of NBR over natural rubber is NBR&#;s ability to trap and retain gas.  Synthetic nitrile rubber holds nitrogen bubbles within its structure making it the perfect choice for closed cell sponge applications.  Natural rubber allows these bubbles to pass right through the cell wall, making it the weakest material for this use.

Nitrile rubber has come a long way since its war-forced beginning, and is now used in a huge variety of machinery and everyday settings.

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Many Rubber product manufacturers rely on various types of synthetic rubber due to various reasons. The demand for synthetic rubbers over natural rubber has increased very rapidly over the recent past. There are many types of synthetic rubber and they are broadly classified into two categories, namely; general-purpose synthetic rubbers and special purpose rubber. General-purpose rubbers are more common and widely used in many manufacturing processes. Neoprene and nitrile rubber are two such widely used general-purpose rubbers. The key difference between neoprene and nitrile rubber is that neoprene is produced by emulsion polymerization of chloroprene (2-chloro-1, 3-butadiene), whereas nitrile rubber is produced by emulsion polymerization of copolymers of butadiene and acrylonitrile.

Nitrile and neoprene exhibit similar properties, but with differing characteristics that make them useful for different applications. Both materials are elastic, and will return to their original shape when stretched. Nitrile is particularly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and temperatures, while neoprene is valued for its weather resistance and durability.

What&#;s the difference between nitrile vs. neoprene for seals, gaskets, and insulation? Both elastomers provide good resistance to compression set and tearing. They withstand the same range of service temperatures, too. Some grades of neoprene offer excellent resistance to abrasion, but nitrile is known for its abrasion resistance at elevated temperatures.

Nitrile and neoprene rubber have many similarities, but there are some important differences between these elastomers. Below we provide a more in-depth look at the properties and advantages of nitrile and neoprene and their industrial uses.

PROPERTIES                  NITRILENEOPRENEELONGATION400% to 600%100% to 800%HARDNESS35 to to 95COMPRESSION SETGoodGoodABRASION RESISTANCEGood to ExcellentVery Good to ExcellentCRACKING RESISTANCE  GoodGood to Very GoodTEAR RESISTANCEGoodGoodFLAME RESISTANCEPoorVery Good to ExcellentMINIMUM TEMP.-34° C to -56° C-34° C to -56° CMAXIMUM TEMP.+104° C to +137°C+104° C to +137° CWEATHER RESISTANCEPoorGoodSUNLIGHT RESISTANCEPoorGood to Very GoodOZONE RESISTANCEPoorGoodOXIDATION RESISTANCEGoodGoodWATER RESISTANCEGood to ExcellentExcellentSTEAM RESISTANCEFairPoor to GoodGAS PERMEABILITYFair to GoodFair to GoodCHEMICAL RESISTANCE                                           Generally resistant to Gases, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon, Oils and Fuels Generally resistant to Moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, oils, fats, greases, and solventsNO CHEMICAL RESISTANCE                        Generally attacked by Ketones, Ozone, Sunlight, Aromatic Oil, Flame, Weather                                                                                        Generally attacked by Esters, ketones, and chlorinated, aromatic, and nitro hydrocarbons

Also read: A Guide To Know The Difference Between Silicone Rubber & EPDM !! 

Nitrile Vs Neoprene Applications

Nitrile rubber is recommended for applications that require oil and fuel resistance, abrasion resistance, and temperature resistance up to 280° F. In mobile equipment and military vehicles, nitrile seals or gaskets are used in carburetor diaphragms, fuel systems, and hydraulic hoses as well as a popular option for highly durable and disposable medical gloves. Nitrile also supports rubber-to-metal bonding, which makes it a good choice for applications in the processing industry. Yet nitrile isn&#;t recommended for sealing and insulation that requires resistance to fire, sunlight, ozone, or weather.

Neoprene rubber resists fire and withstands sunlight, ozone, and weather. Specific grades of neoprene can also meet flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) requirements for the mass transit industry. Applications include door seals, window seals, hose covers, vibration mounts, and shock absorbers. Neoprene is also used with HVAC units, electrical or electronic enclosures, and weather stripping for fire doors. Neoprene noise isolators are used to reduce sound vibrations from power transformers. Additional applications include expansion joints and bearing pads in built structures.

Compound selection is critical because choosing the wrong rubber can cause more than just a component-level failure. Depending on your application&#;s specific needs and requirements, both nitrile and neoprene offer a variety of benefits. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Nitrile rubber NBR. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.