NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PA12 (Nylon 12): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PA12 (Nylon 12)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
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.
PA12 (Nylon 12)
Polyamide 12 — the long-chain polyamide with the lowest moisture absorption of all PA grades (0.1-0.15% vs PA6: 1.5%). Excellent dimensional stability in humid environments. Best chemical resistance among polyamides (oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids). Lowest density of all PA (1.01 g/cm³). Also the dominant 3D printing (SLS/MJF) material. Trade names include Rilsamid (Arkema), Grilamid L (EMS), TECAMID 12 (Ensinger), Vestamid L (Evonik). Used for fuel lines, brake lines, pneumatic tubing, cable sheathing, and 3D-printed functional parts.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PA12 (Nylon 12) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PA12 (Nylon 12) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butadiene | 50–82% | — | — |
| Acrylonitrile (ACN) | 18–50% | — | — |
| Polylaurolactam (from laurolactam/12-aminolauric acid) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PA12 (Nylon 12) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 7–24 | 45–60 | MPa |
| Elongation | 200–600 | 100–300 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
| Density | |||
| continuous_service_temp | |||
| Yield Strength | |||
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PA12 (Nylon 12) 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 NBR (Nitrile Rubber) the same as PA12 (Nylon 12)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PA12 (Nylon 12) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PA12 (Nylon 12)?
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 NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PA12 (Nylon 12)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PA12 (Nylon 12) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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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.