Nitrile (Buna-N)
Nitrile (Buna-N)
Nitrile Rubber is the most commonly used synthetic elastomer, largely due to its strong mechanical and chemical properties. Its uses cover a multitude of industries and applications.
Because of its good tear and abrasion resistance, along with its chemical, and petroleum-based fluid resistance, you will find Nitrile most commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries. Often used in fuel hoses, gaskets, seals, and grommets where oil resistance is required.
Nitrile rubber can be FDA compliant and is commonly used in food processing equipment and conveyor belts for the food industry. Because of its oil resistance, it is a good fit for machinery that may move grease and lubricants onto the rubber.
Because nitrile contains unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in the base polymer, they are not suitable for exposure to ozone, sunlight, and weathering.
Nitrile rubber is also the most economical of the major elastomers, adding to the list of reasons many engineers and developers choose Nitrile rubber.