NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PET (Polyester): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PET (Polyester)
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.
PET (Polyester)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (semi-crystalline stock shape) — combines the stiffness of POM with the wear resistance of PA, without centerline porosity or moisture sensitivity. Excellent dimensional stability, low friction, very low water absorption (~0.1%). Better creep resistance than POM or PA. Widely known from bottles/packaging, but engineering PET-P is semi-crystalline and much stiffer. Trade names include Ertalyte (MCAM), Arnite (DSM), Rynite (DuPont, GF grades). Used for precision bearings in water, gears, slide elements, pump parts, and electrical insulators.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PET (Polyester) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 10350 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PET (Polyester) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 7–24 | 55–80 | MPa |
| elongation | 200–600 | 30–80 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PET (Polyester) 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 PET (Polyester)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PET (Polyester) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PET (Polyester)?
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 PET (Polyester)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PET (Polyester) 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.