Material Breakdown: Nitrile vs. Silicone

There are plenty of synthetic compounds used to manufacture parts, but which one is right for your parts? Both nitrile and silicone are go-to materials for making seals, O-rings, tubing, and other parts, but there are different scenarios where one is clearly a superior option over the other.

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Ready to figure out which rubber is right for your needs? Let’s break down nitrile rubber vs silicone to see which is right for your parts.

Silicone vs Nitrile: What’s the Difference

Nitrile and silicone are both synthetic rubbers, but each have special characteristics that make them a better choice in certain scenarios than others. Nitrile, also known as Buna-N or butadiene rubber, can withstand contact with difficult substances, while silicone is made to beat the heat. In the battle of Buna N vs silicone, you’ll want to consider the following performance criteria.

• Temperature range
• Resistance to oils and other substances
• Weathering
• Physical durability
• Tensile strength

Temperature range

Both nitrile and silicone are capable of performing in higher temperatures, but the latter material is best suited for extreme temperatures. Silicone boasts a wide temperature range of -150 to 480° F, making it a go-to choice for applications dealing with extreme heat and cold.

Nitrile’s range caps out at -40 to 250 degrees, which is still good for applications with less strict heat resistance requirements. In addition, both materials have good thermal stability and age well when used within the right temperature ranges.

Resistance to oil and other substances

Some applications will expose your parts to brake fluid, vegetable oil, and other substances that can lead to decreased performance or even part failure. The good news is that nitrile was made to deal with these types of issues.

Nitrile is extremely resilient when interacting with oils, petroleum-based products, and other difficult substances. It also boasts excellent chemical resistance. Silicone doesn’t perform nearly as well in the same environments, with poor resistance to oils and solvents.

Weathering

If your parts are going to be exposed to the outdoors, silicone is likely a better choice depending on the application. Silicone boasts excellent resistance to weathering, both in terms of sunlight exposure and general aging. Silicone also forms tight seals to repel water, making it useful for parts that need to ward off rain.

Nitrile is not nearly as suited to deal with direct exposure to the outdoors. While Buna-N is resistant to water, it won’t hold up to UV exposure and weathering. Instead, it’s best suited to applications that will shield it from these elements, such as under the hood of a car or other similar applications.

Physical durability

Nitrile is one of a few synthetic rubbers that can take a beating. Butadiene is built to withstand regular contact to resistant scratching and scuffs that would wear down the part. Nitrile is also resistant to tearing, helping seals and tubing stay leak free.

While nitrile enjoys ample tear and abrasion resistance, silicone does not. Silicone parts are not made to withstand notable contact that would result in scratches, scuffs, and tears. While the material can handle occasional physical contact, it shouldn’t be used in applications where physical durability is a necessity.

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Tensile strength

While nitrile and silicone are both good options in terms of compression set, one material can handle more stress before it begins to change shape. Nitrile has a tensile strength of up to 3,000 PSI, twice as much as silicone. Silicone does edge out nitrile in elongation with a max of 700% to 600%, but nitrile is a better option overall if high tensile strength is required.

Invest in Quality Nitrile Rubber, Silicone, and Other Parts

No matter what part you need, it’s important to use a material that works for your performance needs and budget. Nitrile and silicone are two great options, but there are countless rubber and plastic formulations to choose from. That’s why businesses turn to Timco when they need custom-made rubber and plastic

Timco works closely with business to figure out the best, most cost-effective part solution for their applications. Give us a call at 800-969-6242 or contact us online to talk to one of our experts about the parts you need.

The first, most obvious, difference between natural rubber and nitrile rubber is source. 

This is an interesting question. Though there is a significant difference in the way both are produced, and in the ideal application of each, one is not necessarily better than the other. Both are polymers, which are substances made up of large molecules composed of many repeated sub-units. Each display highly valued properties and are used in many industrial and household applications.

Natural rubber is made from the sap of trees, called Heveabrasiliensis, which grow on plantations in South America and South Asia.  The sap, a sticky, milky liquid, is harvested through a process called tapping where incisions are made in the trees causing natural latex to trickle into containers.  Because It is a natural product and ecologically friendly, it is the perfect material for environmentally-conscious consumers.  Though it is an important raw material and used in many industries, natural rubber can be difficult to process.

Another difference is product consistency.

There is no variation in natural rubber.  It is generally all harvested and processed the same way, which produces the same product universally.  Natural rubber is generally more-supple than other rubber types and can be used in a variety of forms. It is ideal for use in wiper blades, machine skirting, and even as drum practice pads.  It is also used to make tires, gloves, and rubber mats.

Natural Rubber Properties

Despite having highly valued properties, natural rubber demonstrates poor resistance to atmospheric oxygen, ozone, oils, and various hydrocarbon solvents.  In addition, natural rubber products do not have the same high levels of chemical and temperature resistance as nitrile rubber. This is because synthetic rubbers, in general, are engineered to include certain properties, such as resistance to specific substances, whereas natural rubber is a product which has been derived from nature. In terms of industrial uses, natural rubber is more suited for light to medium grade applications that do not involve overly abrasive temperatures and chemical conditions.  When you think of natural rubber, think rubber bands – no other product has elongation like natural rubber. Natural rubber is also used in wiper blades and machine skirting.

Nitrile Rubber is a Man-Made Polymer.

By way of contrast, nitrile rubber, also known as NBR or Buna-N, is a man-made polymer produced under controlled conditions. It was developed during World War II in response to a growing need for oil-resistant rubber that could serve as a more durable alternative to natural rubber.  It is produced using petroleum-based materials, and is a synthetic rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene.  This means that it is not a natural product and its production can have some detrimental effects to the environment. Despite this, the demand for nitrile rubber continues to grow.

Nitrile Pubber Properties

NBR has properties that make it an excellent solution for sealing applications. Unlike natural rubber, it has a superior level of resistance against synthetic and natural grease products and is highly recommended for use in areas where petroleum products are present.   It can be used to provide long-lasting machinery components which might be exposed to fuel or lubricants. In commercial kitchens, it is common for cooking oil or food grease to spill or splatter. Nitrile rubber sheeting ensures that kitchen products will remain effective longer. Nitrile sheets can also be used in laboratories, where spills of caustic agents are likely.  It can be found in disposable non-latex gloves, automotive transmission belts, hoses, O-rings, gaskets, oil seals, V belts, synthetic leather, printer’s form rollers, and as cable jacketing; NBR latex can also be used in the preparation of adhesives and as a pigment binder.

Nitrile Rubber – Key Advantage Over Natural Rubber

Nitrile rubber also offers resistance to heat aging – often a key advantage over natural rubber, which can harden and lose its damping capability. Nitrile rubber is also a great material choice for applications that require abrasion resistance and metal adhesion.    Because it is produced artificially, it is easier to make. It doesn’t need to be produced in a certain region or at a certain time of year, and does not rely on weather.  The main advantage of NBR over natural rubber is NBR’s ability to trap and retain gas.  Synthetic nitrile rubber holds nitrogen bubbles within its structure making it the perfect choice for closed cell sponge applications.  Natural rubber allows these bubbles to pass right through the cell wall, making it the weakest material for this use.

Nitrile rubber has come a long way since its war-forced beginning, and is now used in a huge variety of machinery and everyday settings.

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