What is NBR Rubber? Properties, Types, Applications & Price

The global market of NBR rubber is valued at $3.1 billion in 2025. This market estimate has now expanded to 3.3 billion dollars in 2026. Interestingly, in 2025, Asia Pacific held the largest share (41.2%) of nitrile butadiene rubber.

In this topic, you will understand this highly demanding man-made rubber. I have explained what NBR rubber is, its properties, types, grades, and applications as well.

NBR Rubber Meaning

NBR rubber is a synthetic rubber that is used in the aerospace and automotive industry. It is made up of acrylonitrile (ACN) & butadiene. It is also known as nitrile rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and buna-N. 

What does NBR stand for? Well, NBR stands for nitrile butadiene rubber. Mostly, in raw case you find it in yellow color but it can be reddish and orange too. Furthermore, many chemical companies use different names like Nipol, Krynac, Perbunan and Europrene to sell this NBR rubber.

Properties of NBR Rubber

If you have a plan to use this rubber as a raw material for your products, you must see these characteristics. After that, you will have a good idea of selecting NBR for your manufacturing needs.

3 Types of Nitrile Rubber

HNBR / Hydrogenated NBR Rubber

HNBR is the upgraded form of NBR which is specifically manufactured to bear high temperature. Basically, NBR goes through a process that is named as hydrogenation where the double bond of butadiene is removed. After this process the heat tolerance of nitrile rubber increases (around 300°F).

HNBR provides you a defensive layer from ozone and UV radiation. With all these properties, its oil resistance remains excellent, as in NBR. Therefore, you can buy this variant when you need better oil and heat-bearing capacity. But this type of NBR costs 3 to 5 times higher than a standard nitrile rubber.

XNBR or Carboxylated NBR Rubber

XNBR is also an altered form of NBR, in this process carboxylic acid groups are added into polymer chain. That’s why the final product gets additional crosslinking. So, when you purchase a XNBR you get extra tensile strength and scratch protection. It is mainly used for heavy-duty seals, conveyor belts, o-rings & rollers. This can be your best choice for durable seals like pump seals where abrasion is the primary cause of seal failure.

Important Note: Carboxylated nitrile rubber compounds can lose their strength if touched with harsh materials. For example acids, brake fluids and strong solvents.

PVC NBR Blend

In this variation, NBR is mixed with polyvinyl chloride. This mixture comes with a ratio of 70% NBR and 30% PVC. The PVC is not damaged by ozone, so this combination creates a flame, ozone and abrasion-tolerant material.

But its oil resistance is slightly lower than NBR. You could select it for cable covers, outdoor gaskets, industrial flooring and oil transfer hoses. In addition, it is an affordable option for you as compared to HNBR.

HNBR vs NBR vs XNBR

This table will help you to do a quick comparison of different variations of nitrile rubber.

Grades of NBR Rubber

When NBR works well with the fluid then you have to consider its acrylonitrile (ACN) content. NBR grades are basically divided into 3 grades according to the ACN level.

NBR Rubber Applications

What is NBR rubber used for? NBR is utilized in multiple industries especially in construction and automotive. Some major products are listed below.

1. NBR Seals & Gaskets

NBR seals/o-rings and gaskets are rubber parts that stop oil, fuel, air or other fluids from leaking between two surfaces. NBR sealing works well with oils, fuels, diesel, kerosene and natural gas. Moreover, it has good resistance to diluted acids, alkalis and alcohols. This is why you can choose rubber NBR seals for many fuel-related applications.

2. NBR Fuel Hoses

The NBR rubber fuel hose has a strong braided polyester layer for extra strength. SAE J30 R6 NBR fuel hose is suitable for diesel, hydraulic oil, machine oil, lubricants & other oil based fluids. Generally, it can handle fuels with up to 30% aromatic content.

The hose operates at temperatures from -40°C to +100°C. Common sizes for rubber hoses include 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 inches.

3. Nitrile Conveyor Belt

A nitrile conveyor belt is formed with rubber that has good resistance to oil, grease and wear. This is why nitrile rubber is selected for this purpose. Conveyor belts are used to move materials from one place to another in factories and industrial sites. This belt is a good choice for your areas where oil or grease comes into contact with the belt.

4. NBR Roller

NBR rollers are machine parts that are coated with nitrile butadiene rubber. Mainly, they are used to move, press & guide materials in machines. Their main usage industries are printing machines, factories, paper mills and heavy equipment.

5. NBR Sheets

These are premium quality synthetic rubber sheets which are designed to tolerate oil, fuels, petroleum, hydrocarbons and greases. These sheets show excellent mechanical strength plus good sealing performance. NBR rubber sheets are widely used in the oil, gas, automotive, marine, power & manufacturing industries.

6. NBR Rubber Foam / Insulation

Rubber foams are made up of closed-cell artificial rubber which is created from NBR polymer. In harsh conditions, it facilitates thermal insulation and oil resistance. This type of foam is created by expanding nitrile rubber with chemical blowing agents. NBR foams can control moisture, ventilation and reduce heat transfer in pipes and ducts.

7. Disposable Gloves Nitrile

Disposable gloves that are used in almost all fields are also manufactured from NBR rubber. They cover hands to give you latex free & powder free covering. This is why they are the safest option for sensitive skin.

8. Nitrile Footwear

This kind of footwear is used in industrial environments and extreme working scenarios. These shoes provide extra protection than PU sole shoes. They last longer than polyurethane soles (more than 2 to 3 years). Nitrile soles have high traction on wet. Oily and uneven surfaces. In addition, they stop or lower accumulation of electrical charges.

Pros and Cons of Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile rubber has several advantages, but it also has some limitations with it. Below, I explained its main strengths & weaknesses.

Advantages of NBR Rubber

• Nitrile rubber provides you excellent oil resistance which means you can use it if your application includes engine oil or fuel.
• It stops oil and gasoline to soak in. This benefit makes it suitable to manufacture rubber seals.
• You can purchase this rubber in different hardness levels according to the requirement of  the pressure and wear needs of specific parts.
• It can work well at temperatures from -30°F to 212°F. Even some special updated grades can handle temperatures close to 250°F.
• NBR resists damage from hydraulic fluids, diesel and motor oil as well.
• NBR rubber seals resist tears and damage from friction/moving parts. In this way, they last longer in tough working conditions.
• This type of rubber allows very little gas to pass through the material, which reduces gas leaks.
• This is a cost effective choice for automotive parts, seals & general manufacturing.

Disadvantages of NBR Rubber

• NBR rubber contains a polymer backbone which contains a double bond. That’s why this rubber can easily get damaged by UV light and ozone.
• In case of strong oxidizing agents & polar solvents (ketones/acetones) it does not work in the proper way. Because NBR rubber gets swollen and fails.
• As you know, this is a hydrocarbon base material which means it has low flame tolerance.
• In extreme cold weather, high ACN-NBR rubber loses its sealing capacity and becomes brittle.

From Where You Can Source NBR?

If you are a distributor or factory owner, you have several options to purchase NBR for your projects. First of all you have to finalize your sourcing market that you want to import from China, USA, Japan or UK. Then you can search on Google related suppliers and manufacturers of NBR.

We have already done research for you and made a list of famous companies. You can study more about them on their websites and get quotation by telling your requirements.

• Gansu Longchang Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd
• Polykem
• Lake Erie Rubber
• BRP Manufacturing and PAR Group
• Apcotex Industries Limited
• Goodwill Polymers
• Avon Commercial

You can use this artificial rubber to manufacture various products for your company. And it is quite affordable as well.

NBR Rubber Price Per KG

Raw NBR prices range from US $2.35 to US $3.37 per kg worldwide. The price varies by grade, form and region.

Final Words

I hope now you know everything about NBR and its classification. Actually, it is artificial rubber, which is cheaper than natural rubber. It provides you with multiple benefits like oil, grease, temperature and hydrocarbons resistance.

If you are a car owner or want to order NBR hoses for your business you can contact us. Our company RONTEIX is a reliable option for you because we have supplied NBR hoses in above 40 countries.

FAQs

What is the Difference Between SBR and NBR Rubber?

These both are types of artificial rubber, but their chemical structure is different. Basically, NBR is the mixture of ACN and butadiene. On the other hand, SBR is a combination of styrene and butadiene. SBR is a cheaper alternative of natural rubber which is used in production of footwear and tires.

Is Nitrile Rubber Ethanol Resistant?

No, nitrile rubber is not ethanol resistant if there is high concentration of ethanol and ethanol blended fuels. For example, E10, E85 and higher. If you use NBR for ethanol mixed fuel hose it may swell, soften, damage and dry out. In this situation, you can use FKM material because it is ethanol tolerant.

How Much is NBR Rubber Shelf Life?

NBR rubber belongs to group B rubber. Therefore, its shelf life is approximately 7 years with an extension period of 3 years. But under SAE ARP5316 its storage life is 15 years if you keep it under a controlled environment. Always remember, its exact lifespan depends on its specification, construction and intended fuel service.