Have You Ever Heard Of Rubber? The biggest two in terms of variety is EPDM and NBR. EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer, is just a lengthy method of saying rubber. NBR, short for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber is another kind of rubber with unique characteristics. Today, those two types of synthetic rubber are used in many different products, and they are about as common as they get. Rubber is used to make many of the everyday items we use in life — seals, gaskets, hoses and belts, to name just a few. But how is that different from these two things, and which is more suitable for you?
The choice between EPDM and NBR ultimately comes down to what you need it for. Let’s dig deeper into each type. EPDM is very resistant to ozone, weathering, and aging. When outside, that means it will be able to last a long time. It is also highly resistant to water, steam, and many chemicals. Due to these properties, EPDM is ideal for external use when it has the possibility to be sun-exposed as well as environmental factors such as rain or snow.
In contrast, NBR is another variety that is well known for its oil and fuel resistance. Because of this, making it perfect for use in vehicles and industrial machines. NBR is also extremely resistant to wear and tear, making it unbreakable even on the roughest surfaces. Therefore, if you’re working with a challenging environment, NBR may be the better option.
However, the way these two class of rubber respond to chemicals has a considerable difference. EPDM has Excellent Resistance to a Broad Range of Chemicals, including Acids, Bases and Organic Solvents. This is critical because it means that EPDM can be used in a number of industries, including food and pharmaceuticals, where safety is paramount. Additionally, it is quite resistant to steam and hot water, which positions it well for temperatures in excess of room temperature.
NBR, on the other hand, does not hold up as well to chemicals as EPDM. It is great at repelling oils, fuels and greases but not so much against many acid types and other chemicals. What this means is that if you are working in an environment in which there are many different chemicals, you may be better off using EPDM instead.
Good: O-rings manufactured using material such as Nitrile can resist oil and fuel very well, which is why it is a great choice in automotive and industrial applications. It is also very tear and abrasion resistant, which is useful in situations such as the rubber meeting rough surfaces.
Negatives: NBR is less chemically resistant than EPDM, so it may not be suitable in applications with a wide variety of chemicals present. It is also not very effective against sunlight/UV rays, making outdoor applications potentially problematic.
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