NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PC (Polycarbonate): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PC (Polycarbonate)
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.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate — the transparent high-impact engineering plastic. Amorphous with outstanding impact strength (virtually unbreakable at room temp), optical clarity (~90% light transmission), and good heat resistance (Tg 145-150°C). Trade names include Lexan (SABIC), Makrolon (Covestro). Used for safety glazing, machine guards, automotive headlamp lenses, CDs/DVDs, riot shields, and electronic housings.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PC (Polycarbonate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butadiene | 50–82% | — | — |
| Acrylonitrile (ACN) | 18–50% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 7–24 | 55–75 | MPa |
| Elongation | 200–600 | 80–120 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
| Density | |||
| continuous_service_temp | |||
| Yield Strength | |||
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| light_transmission | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/A (1.8 MPa) | |||
| Light Transmission | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PC (Polycarbonate) 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 PC (Polycarbonate)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PC (Polycarbonate) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PC (Polycarbonate)?
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 PC (Polycarbonate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PC (Polycarbonate) 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.