NITRILE RUBBER (NBR)

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 SBR
NR

NBR

BR

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 NBR
- Synthesized first time in 1930
- Projected consumption in 2017 amounts to 645,000 MT
- Co-Polymer of Acrylonitrile (ACN) and Butadiene monomers
- Polar rubber
- Available in 3 grades based on ACN content 15 - >50%
- Available as hydrogenated NBR or HNBR With Good resistance heat
- Offers resistance to general oils and non – polar solvents
- Has better resistance to ageing than NR
- Conducts electricity and static charges
- Blends with NR at certain proportions
- Sulfur curing possible
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 Preparation of NBR
~ NBR can be produced by free-radical emulsion polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with 15 to
<50% percent acylonitrile either hot (hot rubber) or cold (cold rubber) conditions.

~ Polymerization is allowed to proceed to ~70% conversion before a “shortstop” agent (such as

dimethyldithioarbamate and diethyl hydroxylamine) is added to react with the remaining free
radicals.

~ The process for the production of cold NBR is very similar to that of hot NBR. Polymerization
tanks are heated to 5–15 °C instead of 30–40 °C.

~ Under lower temperature conditions, less branching will form on polymers (the amount
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of branching distinguishes cold NBR from hot NBR).

Preparation of NBR

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 XNBR
~ Carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) is a terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and a
carboxyl group containing monomer such as acrylic or methacrylic acid.

~ Incorporation of carboxyl groups increases inter and intra molecular interactions,

resulting in improved properties of the polymer.

~ Owing to the high polarity of carboxyl groups present, they are regarded as polar
rubbers.

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Curing XNBR ZnO

Zn2+

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 Hydrogenated-NBR (HNBR)
~ HNBR is made via selective hydrogenation of the NBR butadiene groups which improves the
temperature and ozone resistance considerably.

~ Due to the polymer structure, HNBR offers both resistance to polar and nonpolar media.

~ The selection for dedicated automotive applications depends on the ACN content which can
range from 18% to 50% (this influences the swelling in oil), as well as on the degree of
saturation (this influences the heat resistance).

~ HNBR offers extraordinarily good mechanical properties and abrasion resistance.

~ The operating temperature ranges, when in contact with mineral oils and greases from -30°C
to 140°C and for a short period of time up to +160°C.

~ Due to the good abrasion resistance and oil resistance, the main applications are actuator seals
for gear box applications. In addition, HNBR is often used in air conditioning applications .
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Preparation of HNBR

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 Compounding and Processing of NBR
~ Processing includes mixing, pre-forming to required shape, and application to
substrates, extrusion, and vulcanization to make the finished rubber article.

~ Mixing and processing are typically performed on open mills, internal mixers, extruders,
and calendars.

~ In view of the polarity of the rubber ester type polar plasticizers such as Dibutyl,
Phthalate(DBP), Dioctyl Phthalate(DOP),Dioctyle Phthalate(DOA) are used.

~ Reinforcing C and Silica can be used as in NR to enhance technological properties.

~ Finished products are found in the market place as injection or transfer molded
products (seals and grommets), extruded hose or tubing, calendared sheet goods (floor
mats and industrial belting), or various sponge articles.

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 Curing of NBR

~ Unlike most other synthetic rubbers, nitrile rubbers can be vulcanized with several cross-linking
systems. The vulcanization can take place even at room temperature.

~ Due to limited unsaturation and slow curing, the curing system consist of high
accelerator and low sulfur compared to NR.

~ Higher curing temperatures of 160- 175 0 ˚C can be employed.

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NBR Swelling

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Applications of NBR

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 LET’S COMPARE BR, SBR, NR, AND NBR
• low-temperature behavior,
• elasticity,
• aging and heat resistance,
• electrical insulation,
• Ozone resistant
• Solvent resistant

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