EPDM vs NBR: what is the difference and which material should you choose?
When it comes to choosing the right material for seals or other industrial applications, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) are among the most common options.
Each of these materials has specific characteristics that make it suitable for different uses.
We will look at the main differences between EPDM and NBR to help you choose the material that best suits your needs. Let us see in detail what sets them apart.
What is NBR? What are its advantages?
NBR stands for nitrile butadiene rubber, also known as nitrile rubber, Buna-N rubber and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and sold under trade names such as Perbunan, Nipol, Krynac and Europrene. This synthetic elastomer is made from the monomers acrylonitrile and butadiene.
NBR is exceptionally resistant to oil, fuel and most chemicals, which makes it ideal for the automotive industry.
It performs well in a temperature range from -40 °C to 108 °C, offering stability in extreme conditions.
Typical NBR applications include hoses, seals and grommets.
Its advantages include excellent compression set, good tear and abrasion resistance, and remarkable resistance to mineral oils, hydraulic fluids, solvents, water and alcohols.
What is EPDM? What are its advantages?
EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber. This synthetic elastomer consists of saturated polyethylene chains with ethylene and propylene monomers and a diene comonomer. Its structure allows crosslinking through sulphur vulcanisation .
Thanks to its saturated components, EPDM is significantly more resistant to heat, light and ozone than other unsaturated rubber materials.
It withstands temperatures from -30 °C to +150 °C and keeps good elastic properties even at low temperatures.
This material is used for O-rings, washers, seals, hoses and other applications in the automotive and manufacturing sectors and in the furniture industry.
Its advantages include excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, water and chemicals, as well as good low-temperature flexibility and heat resistance.
EPDM and NBR compared
Weathering resistance: EPDM excels in resistance to weathering, ozone and UV light, which makes it ideal for outdoor applications. NBR, on the other hand, is less resistant to these factors and can deteriorate when exposed to sunlight and weather without specific protection.
Chemical resistance: both materials offer good chemical resistance, but NBR is particularly suitable for environments with oils and fuels, while EPDM performs better against mild acids, detergents, silicones, glycols, ketones and alcohols.
Temperature range: EPDM has a slightly wider operating temperature range, which makes it ideal for applications that require good thermal stability at both low and high temperatures. NBR, for its part, performs very well at temperatures from -40 °C to 108 °C.
Specific applications: the choice between EPDM and NBR depends on the specific application. For example, NBR is the preferred choice for washers and O-rings in the automotive, marine, railway and manufacturing sectors because of its excellent resistance to oils and fuels. EPDM, on the other hand, is ideal for applications that require weathering resistance and good elasticity at low temperatures.
The choice between EPDM and NBR depends on the specific requirements of the application.
If the application requires resistance to oils and fuels, NBR is the ideal choice.
If weathering resistance and good thermal stability are needed instead, EPDM is more suitable.
Understanding the differences between these materials allows you to make informed decisions and ensure the best performance of the final product.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
