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NBR and Ethylenediamine: Chemical Resistance

Nitrile butadiene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
technical gradeCC

Material comparison at 20 °C

Ethylenediamine: Material comparison at 20 °CNBR: C (highlighted); Aluminium: A; EPDM: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A.Aluminium: AEPDM: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: ANylon (PA): APMP: AAcetal (POM): APP: APTFE: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: ANBR: CNBRPolycarbonate: CPVC Rigid: CViton (FPM): DPVC Flexible: DECTFE/ETFE: –PETG: –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –SAN: –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 has limited resistance (C) to Ethylenediamine at technical grade at 20 °C. This indicates that the chemical has a noticeable effect on the material, which may include visible swelling, softening, or a measurable loss of tensile strength. Use is generally limited to short-term or intermittent contact where full structural integrity is not required. 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

Ethylenediamine is commonly encountered in textile processing and cleaning and sanitation. NBR (Nitrile butadiene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Because Ethylenediamine is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

NBR has limited resistance to Ethylenediamine and should only be used for short-term or intermittent contact at ambient temperature. The C rating means the material undergoes noticeable changes — swelling, loss of strength, or surface degradation — that make it unsuitable for permanent installations. For prolonged or continuous exposure, HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (PA) offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

Nitrile butadiene rubber is commonly chosen for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections because of its combination of chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and cost-effectiveness.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM 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.