NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) vs Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV)
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.
Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV)
Silicone rubber (VMQ = Vinyl Methyl Polysiloxane) — THE extreme-temperature elastomer. Usable from -60°C to +230°C continuous (short-term +300°C). Excellent UV/ozone/weathering resistance. Biocompatible (FDA, USP Class VI). Low compression set. Electrically insulating. Lower tensile/tear strength than organic rubbers. Used for seals/gaskets, medical tubing/implants, food-grade components, baby products, automotive ignition boots, and LED/lighting encapsulation.
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 37 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 7–24 | 6–12 | MPa |
| elongation | 200–600 | 200–600 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 40–90 | 30–80 | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV) 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 Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV)?
NBR (Nitrile Rubber) and Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace NBR (Nitrile Rubber) with Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV)?
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 Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) is a Polymers grade, while Silicone Rubber (VMQ/HTV) 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.