NBR – butadiene-nitrile rubber

Butadiene-nitrile rubber, or NBR, is a modern synthetic rubber with a wide range of applications. It is used to make sealing materials, various pipettes for cosmetology and medicine, as well as protective clothing.

What is NBR

NBR material is a type of synthetic rubber, namely a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. It is similar to natural rubber from the rubber tree, but unlike the ‘original,’ it does not cause allergic reactions.

Production technology

Durable NBR rubber is produced using industrial equipment through the emulsion polymerisation of butadiene and acrylonitrile.

Manufacturing stages:

1. Emulsion polymerisation of two components in an aqueous solution.
2. Coagulation of the resulting latex using various components, including calcium chloride and aluminium sulphate.
3. Drying and pressing to obtain briquettes of the required size.

To improve the characteristics of NBR, modifiers such as antioxidants and vulcanisation accelerators are added during production, which affect the elasticity and strength properties of the finished product.

Even pure butadiene-nitrile rubber has high elasticity, which is more than enough to produce reliable seals for sealing housings, joints and covers.

Physical characteristics of the material

NBR has the following characteristics:

When various components are added to NBR rubber, its characteristics change. For example, hydrogenated material has increased thermal resistance.

Chemical resistance characteristics

NBR is used in various industries due to its chemical resistance. The material is chemically resistant to:

• mineral oils;
• water, including boiling water;
• diesel fuel with an aromatic hydrocarbon content of less than 40%;
• oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin;
• aliphatic hydrocarbons;
• HFB, HFA, HFC series refrigerants;
• various acids and alkalis.

It has moderate resistance to aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated and polar solvents, as well as to biodegradable hydraulic fluids and diesel fuel, where more than 40% of the composition is aromatic hydrocarbons.

It is unacceptable to use NBR with the following aggressors:

• glycol-based antifreeze;
• aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene;
• acetone;
• brake fluids based on glycol compounds;
• various refrigerants, including freon and chladon, which belong to the HFD group;
• chlorinated hydrocarbons, including trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene;
• various esters, such as butyl and ethyl.

Its physical and chemical characteristics allow NBR to be used to make various caps with pipettes for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Advantages of NBR

The active use of butadiene-nitrile rubber is due to its advantages. The most important of these is its resistance to many oils and fuels. Gaskets and seals made of synthetic material that come into contact with aggressive environments are durable and reliable.

It also has the following advantages:

• resistance to abrasive wear. Friction and mechanical stress have little effect on the material's characteristics;
• wide range of permissible operating temperatures. Withstands exposure to even hot liquids;
• chemical resistance to many reagents, solvents and alkaline environments;
• low price, which affects the cost of NBR products;
• good compatibility with other polymers, expanding the scope of application of synthetic material.

The characteristics of NBR allow it to be used to manufacture heat-resistant rubber products that can be used in water, oils, solvents and a number of other working environments.

Disadvantages of the material

The material is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, and at very low temperatures, the rubber loses its strength and elasticity.

Areas of application for NBR material

Most commonly used in the following areas:

• Automotive industry. For the manufacture of fuel system seals, gaskets for internal combustion engines, fuel and engine hoses, and sealing elements for transmission systems.
• Oil and gas industry. Manufacture of seals for pumps, valves, gaskets for various sections of pipelines, and pressure regulator diaphragms.
• Food industry. Manufacture of sealing elements that come into contact with food products and creation of reliable, safe conveyor belts.
• Aviation. Used in hydraulic and fuel systems, as well as seals for oxygen systems.
• Manufacture of household appliances. These are sealing gaskets in washing machines, dishwashers and refrigeration equipment.
• Medicine. Creation of caps and seals for bottles, equipment, production of special clothing, PPE.

Advantages of NBR pipettes and caps

NBR is a synthetic hypoallergenic material that does not react with aromatic oils, medicines or other liquids.

Our company, BELAND, uses NBR to make airtight caps and bulb pipettes. They can be used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Our caps are suitable for fragrances, perfumes, and medicines and have a number of advantages:

• Elasticity and flexibility at different operating temperatures. Bottles with butadiene-nitrile rubber bulbs can be stored in the refrigerator, at room temperature, or heated to the required parameters;
• low cost, allowing the creation of any type of packaging, jars with dispensers, where pipettes and bulbs are useful;
• durability. Finished packaging using NBR can be used in production for a long time without losing its quality characteristics.

You can order caps with pipettes on our website using the feedback form or by calling +7 (812) 6-777-333. We deliver finished products within 1-3 working days in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area. Deliveries within Russia are discussed with the manager.