Rubber materials play a crucial role in industries where oil resistance is paramount. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and Fluoroelastomer (Viton®) are two major contenders, as they both can withstand prolonged exposure to oil. However, each has specific advantages due to their differing attributes. To help you choose the right rubber for your application, we’ll discuss the properties, benefits, and applications of these oil-resistant rubber materials.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is a versatile rubber. Its chemical structure consists of a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile, enabling high resistance to a wide range of oils, fuels, and lubricants. NBR is also resistant to a variety of solvents, which makes it a great option for many industrial applications.
Some of the key benefits of choosing NBR include:
- Excellent oil resistance. NBR can withstand prolonged exposure to oil and grease, making it a great choice for these applications.
- Abrasion resistance. This type of rubber is extremely durable, making it a dependable choice for industrial applications involving high mechanical stress.
- Temperature resistance. This material also withstands temperatures from -40 °F to 250 °F (-40 °C to 121 °C), making it a common material in the aerospace industry.
Fluoroelastomer (Viton®)
If your parts need to be able to withstand particularly demanding applications, you may want to consider choosing Viton® rubber. This fluoroelastomer is renowned for its exceptional chemical resistance, particularly to solvents, oils, fuels, and other aggressive fluids, making it the preferred choice in extreme conditions where NBR falls short.
Some of the key benefits Viton® provides include:
- Superior chemical resistance. Viton® is much more resistant to harsh chemicals than other rubber materials and can withstand exposure to acids, bases, and solvents.
- Excellent oil and fuel resistance. Viton® offers exceptional performance in environments exposed to oils and fuels.
- Broad temperature range. Viton® can tolerate more extreme temperatures than other rubbers (including NBR), operating within a temperature range of -40 °F to 400 °F (-40 °C to 204 °C).
Due to its extreme durability, Viton® is often used in high-performance applications such as aerospace, defense, and chemical processing.
Applications and Choosing the Right Type of Oil-Resistant Rubber
NBR and Viton® both offer excellent oil resistance, making them a great choice for many industrial applications where persistent or constant exposure to oil and fuel is necessary. Some of the most common applications of these rubber materials include:
- Aerospace & Defense. Due to their durability and temperature-resistant properties, these materials are commonly used in the aerospace and defense industries in rubber diaphragms, seals, and gaskets.
- Chemical processing. Impressive chemical-resistant properties make NBR and Viton® popular choices in chemical processing facilities requiring gaskets and seals. Depending on the type of chemicals involved, Viton® may be a better option due to its superior durability.
- Food and dairy processing. These environments can involve extreme temperatures, intense pressures, and harsh chemicals, requiring high-performance materials like Viton® and NBR to maintain integrity in seals and gaskets.
- Oil and gas. These materials are also commonly used for seals and gaskets in facilities that handle, process, and transport oil and gas, as they can withstand constant exposure to oil without wearing down.
Choosing the Right Material
Ultimately, the rubber material you choose will depend on the specific requirements of your application. While NBR is a dependable option for general-purpose oil resistance, Viton® is an ideal choice for demanding environments where components face regular exposure to aggressive chemicals or extreme temperatures.
Top factors to consider when making your final selection include:
- Type of oil or fluid exposure
- Temperature range
- Cost requirements
- Chemical compatibility
- Performance requirements
Quality Engineered Molded Rubber From RD Rubber Technology Corporation
When selecting rubber materials, it is important to look for one that will perform reliably, particularly in environments where oil exposure is a concern. At RD Rubber Technology Corporation, we specialize in molding high performance synthetic rubber, from development through production of custom rubber seals, o-rings, gaskets, grommets, and other critical to function parts. Our team has the deep knowledge and experience to provide solutions to your most demanding custom rubber molding requirements.
If you’re in need of quality oil-resistant rubber materials and want to know which product is right for your application, contact us or request a quote on our site.