Nitrile Rubber Seals and Their Properties Discussed
Nitrile Rubber Seals and Their Properties Discussed

Nitrile Rubber Seals and Their Properties Discussed

Nov 15, 2022 Rubber Seals | Oil Seals
Nitrile rubber is one of the most popular synthetic elastomers used for producing oil seals, gaskets, engine hoses, and so on. This synthetic rubber is a copolymer made of acrylonitrile and butadiene molecules, and is referred to as nitrile-butadiene rubber or NBR. This elastomer can work well in the most challenging environments and is inexpensive, which when combined with its unique properties makes it a more popular choice for sealing over other rubber materials. Having said that, it is quite obvious to ask what these unique properties are. This post introduces you to the properties of nitrile rubber sealing solutions and their increasing use in various industrial applications.

Common Applications of Nitrile Rubber

How NBR Rubber Seals Can Add Value to Your Application
These seals gain their properties from the NBR material. The physical and chemical properties of this rubber differ according to the composition of acrylonitrile and butadiene molecules in the compound. The following physical and chemical properties of the material add value to seals, gaskets, and O-rings made of NBR rubber.
  • Oil and Fluid Resistance: The NBR rubber can resist silicone greases, fuels, petroleum-based fuels, water, alcohols, and hydraulic fluids. Acrylonitrile compound in the NBR rubber contributes to its oil resistance properties. This property makes NBR rubber seals an ideal choice for automotive applications where it may be exposed to petroleum-based fuels. The ratio of acrylonitrile rubber and butadiene may vary depending on the application. The rubber material with a high amount of acrylonitrile is less likely to swell from oil and offer less permeability to gases. However, the material with less acrylonitrile tends to remain flexible at low temperatures.
  • Temperature Resistance: The seals made of nitrile-butadiene rubber can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 257 degrees Fahrenheit. This high resilience property of the seals makes them ideal for applications with ambient temperature exposure such as in the aerospace industry.
  • Puncture Resistant: Most industrial equipment is designed for abusive work environments. These equipment feature several parts and components that have to withstand more abuse than others. O-rings, gaskets, and seals are few components that have to bear the brunt of challenging conditions such as increased temperatures, continuous exposure to petroleum-based greases and fluids, and so on. Many rubber seals break down under these conditions. This is where NBR seals and gaskets can make a difference. They are puncture-resistant, and can withstand abrasion, cuts, tears, caustics, and lot more.
In addition to the above properties, nitrile rubber has:
  • Shore A hardness ratings from 40 to 90
  • High tensile strength with values ranging between 200 PSI and 3500 PSI
  • Elongation ratings between 300% and 650%


Owing to all these properties, O-rings, seals, and gaskets made of this material are widely used in marine and military industries apart from automotive and aerospace industries. Each of these industries has their typical, stringent requirements. Hence, it is important to partner with experienced NBR rubber seals manufacturing company that specializes in a particular industry.

Common Applications of Nitrile Rubber
Nitrile rubber is used to make:
  • Oil seals
  • Hydraulic and static seals
  • Seals for fuel systems in aircraft, automobiles, and marine equipment
  • Seals for off-road equipment


Although nitrile rubber has been a popular sealing element for several years now, it is difficult to find trustworthy and experienced NBR rubber seals manufacturing companies. SSP Seals stands prominent among such manufacturing companies. It specializes in custom NBR rubber seals manufacturing, which means, you can get the seals built specifically to address your application requirements. The company uses nitrile rubber and PVC combination to produce seals that resist flame, ozone, flame, and petrol. You can get in touch with the experts at the company to find solution for your typical sealing requirements.

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