EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) vs NBR (Nitrile Rubber): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) vs NBR (Nitrile Rubber)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber)
Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber — THE outdoor/weather elastomer. Saturated backbone gives outstanding ozone, UV, and weathering resistance. Excellent resistance to steam, hot water, and polar solvents. NOT resistant to oils/fuels (opposite of NBR). Good electrical insulation. ρ 0.85-1.3 (lightest common rubber). Used for automotive door/window seals, roofing membranes, radiator hoses, HVAC gaskets, and pond liners.
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.
| EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 37 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 7–21 | 7–24 | MPa |
| elongation | 100–700 | 200–600 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 30–90 | 40–90 | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) 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 EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) the same as NBR (Nitrile Rubber)?
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) and NBR (Nitrile Rubber) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) 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 EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) and NBR (Nitrile Rubber)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade.
View full data for each material:
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.