NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PI (Polyimide): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PI (Polyimide)
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.
PI (Polyimide)
Polyimide — THE extreme-temperature polymer. Continuous use 250-300°C (short-term to 400°C+). Outstanding thermal stability, low outgassing, excellent radiation resistance, and self-lubricating. Available as film (Kapton, DuPont), parts (Vespel, DuPont), and moldable resin. Expensive but irreplaceable where no other polymer survives. Used for aerospace bearings/seals, semiconductor processing, flexible circuit boards (Kapton), jet engine components, and space applications.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PI (Polyimide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ASTM D638 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PI (Polyimide) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 7–24 | 72–120 | MPa |
| elongation | 200–600 | 7–30 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PI (Polyimide) 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 PI (Polyimide)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PI (Polyimide) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PI (Polyimide)?
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 PI (Polyimide)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PI (Polyimide) 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.