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NBR and Acetaldehyde: Chemical Resistance

Nitrile butadiene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
40 %DD
technical gradeDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Acetaldehyde: Material comparison at 20 °CNBR: D (highlighted); Aluminium: A; FEP: A; PTFE: A; SS 304: A; SS 316: A.Aluminium: AFEP: APTFE: ASS 304: ASS 316: AECTFE/ETFE: BLDPE: BNylon (PA): BPMP: BAcetal (POM): BEPDM: CHDPE: CPP: CViton (FPM): DNBR: DNBRPolycarbonate: DPETG: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVDF: DSAN: DPVC Flexible: –Silicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

NBR maintains a consistent rating of D across all 2 tested concentrations (40 %, technical grade) of Acetaldehyde at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk.

Application context

Acetaldehyde is commonly encountered in coatings and paints and chemical synthesis. NBR (Nitrile butadiene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Since Acetaldehyde is flammable, material selection must also consider the risk of static charge buildup and the need for proper grounding in storage and transfer systems.

Practical recommendation

NBR is not recommended for use with Acetaldehyde. The D rating indicates that the material will suffer rapid and severe degradation, which may include cracking, dissolution, severe swelling, or complete structural failure. Using this combination risks equipment damage, leaks, and potential safety incidents. Consider using FEP, PTFE, Aluminium instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

Chemical resistance testing according to DIN and ISO standards typically evaluates weight change, dimensional change, and retention of tensile strength after immersion.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 40 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
LDPE B, Nylon (PA) B, Acetal (POM) B, PMP B
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE B
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About NBR

Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

About this data

The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.

A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.