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NBR and Ethylene Dichloride: Chemical Resistance

Nitrile butadiene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Ethylene Dichloride: Material comparison at 20 °CNBR: D (highlighted); Aluminium: A; ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Acetal (POM): A; PTFE: A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AAcetal (POM): APTFE: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: ALDPE: BViton (FPM): CHDPE: CNylon (PA): CPP: CEPDM: DNBR: DNBRPolycarbonate: DPETG: DPMP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DSAN: DSilicone: –
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 is not resistant (D) to Ethylene Dichloride and should not be used in direct contact. The chemical is expected to cause rapid degradation, which can include dissolution, cracking, severe swelling, or complete structural failure of the material.

Application context

Ethylene Dichloride is commonly encountered in pulp and paper and water disinfection. NBR (Nitrile butadiene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Since Ethylene Dichloride 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 Ethylene Dichloride. 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 Acetal (POM), ECTFE/ETFE, FEP instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

Temperature is often the deciding factor when selecting materials for Ethylene Dichloride: even materials rated A at 20 °C may lose performance at elevated temperatures.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Thermoplastics
LDPE B, Acetal (POM) A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
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.