Nitrile | Tennant Rubber

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Nitrile rubber's combination of butadiene for flexibility and acrylonitrile for chemical resistance makes it an excellent material for oil and fuel applications.

Chemical Composition of Nitrile Rubber
Nitrile rubber is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. Its molecular structure consists of repeating units of these two monomers:

Butadiene (C4H6): This hydrocarbon contributes to the elasticity and flexibility of the polymer.
Acrylonitrile (C3H3N): This nitrile component gives NBR its excellent resistance to oils, chemicals, and heat.

The key reason nitrile rubber performs well in oily environments lies in the polar nature of acrylonitrile. The triple bond between carbon and nitrogen creates a polarised charge. The polarity joins the copolymer chains together, preventing oils from penetrating and swelling the rubber matrix.

Due to its superior oil resistance, NBR is commonly used in applications like:

O-rings, gaskets, and seals for engines and machinery.
Fuel hoses in automotive and aerospace industries.
Oil-resistant gloves in industries handling oils and chemicals.
Hydraulic systems and other oil-laden environments requiring flexible, durable seals.

History of Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Nitrile rubber, also known as NBR or Buna-N, was first developed in the 1930s. It was the result of research driven by the need for synthetic rubber due to natural rubber shortages, especially during wartime. The first breakthrough came from Bayer (then I.G. Farben), a German chemical company, which developed Buna-N during the 1930s. The name "Buna-N" comes from Butadiene and Natrium (the German word for sodium, used in the polymerization process), and "N" for nitrile.
During World War II, the demand for synthetic rubber, particularly in the aviation and automotive industries, skyrocketed. Nitrile rubber was highly sought after because of its superior resistance to oils and fuels compared to natural rubber. This quality made it a strategic material for manufacturing seals, gaskets, hoses, and other oil-resistant components used in machinery and military vehicles.
Since then, nitrile rubber has evolved with the development of various grades for specific applications, including carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) for added strength and hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) for enhanced resistance to heat and oxidation.

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