NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PP (Polypropylene): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs PP (Polypropylene)
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.
PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene is the most produced plastic globally by volume. Semi-crystalline thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance, low density (0.90–0.91 g/cm³ — lightest engineering plastic, floats in water), good fatigue resistance (living hinges) and low cost. Available as homopolymer (higher stiffness) and copolymer (better impact). Trade names: Moplen (LyondellBasell), Sabic PP (SABIC), Borealis PP. Used for packaging, automotive bumpers/interiors, medical devices, piping, hinges, containers, textiles (nonwoven) and household goods.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PP (Polypropylene) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 1873 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | PP (Polypropylene) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 7–24 | — | MPa |
| elongation | 200–600 | — | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PP (Polypropylene) 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 PP (Polypropylene)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and PP (Polypropylene) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with PP (Polypropylene)?
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 PP (Polypropylene)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while PP (Polypropylene) 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.