NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PTFE (Teflon): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PTFE (Teflon)
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.
PTFE (Teflon)
Polytetrafluoroethylene — the most chemically resistant polymer. Lowest friction coefficient of any solid material (~0.05-0.10). Service range -240°C to +260°C continuous. Cannot be melt-processed — must be sintered from powder (like ceramics). Very low mechanical strength. Trade name Teflon (Chemours/DuPont). Used for seals, gaskets, bearings, non-stick coatings, chemical reactor linings, electrical insulation, and lab equipment.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PTFE (Teflon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 12086 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PTFE (Teflon) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butadiene | 50–82% | — | — |
| Acrylonitrile (ACN) | 18–50% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polytetrafluoroethylene) | — | 99.5–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PTFE (Teflon) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 7–24 | 20–35 | MPa |
| Elongation | 200–600 | 200–400 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
| Density | |||
| continuous_service_temp | |||
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| friction_coefficient | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| Coefficient of Friction | |||
| Dielectric Constant (1MHz) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PTFE (Teflon) 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 PTFE (Teflon)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PTFE (Teflon) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PTFE (Teflon)?
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 PTFE (Teflon)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PTFE (Teflon) 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.