ABS vs NBR (Nitrile Rubber): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ABS vs NBR (Nitrile Rubber)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the most widely used amorphous engineering/commodity thermoplastic. Excellent balance of toughness, rigidity, and processability. Good surface finish and paintability. Not UV-stable without additives. Trade names include Novodur (INEOS Styrolution), Terluran (INEOS), Cycolac (SABIC). Used for automotive interior trim, appliance housings (vacuum cleaners, monitors), LEGO bricks, 3D printing filament, and pipe fittings.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber)
Nitrile butadiene rubber (Buna-N) — THE oil and fuel resistant elastomer. ACN content (18-50%) determines the oil resistance vs low-temp flexibility tradeoff. Higher ACN = better oil resistance but stiffer at low temp. The most widely used seal material worldwide. Used for O-rings, fuel hoses, gaskets, hydraulic seals, oil seals, and nitrile gloves. Not suitable for ozone, UV, or polar solvents (ketones, esters). HNBR variant for higher heat resistance.
| ABS | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 37 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | ABS | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylonitrile | 15–35% | — | — |
| Butadiene | 5–30% | 50–82% | No overlap |
| Styrene | 40–60% | — | — |
| Acrylonitrile (ACN) | — | 18–50% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | ABS | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 38–50 | 7–24 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–48 | — | MPa |
| Elongation | 10–30 | 200–600 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/B (0.45 MPa) | |||
| Vicat Softening Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| hardness_shore_a | |||
| continuous_service_temp |
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ABS and NBR (Nitrile Rubber) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABS the same as NBR (Nitrile Rubber)?
ABS and NBR (Nitrile Rubber) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ABS with NBR (Nitrile Rubber)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ABS and NBR (Nitrile Rubber)?
The main differences are in the following elements: Butadiene. ABS is a Polymers grade, while NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.