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NBR and Phosgene: Chemical Resistance

Nitrile butadiene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
liquidC–
gaseousC–

Material comparison at 20 °C

Phosgene: Material comparison at 20 °CNBR: C (highlighted); FEP: A; Nylon (PA): A; PTFE: A; Acetal (POM): B; Aluminium: C.FEP: ANylon (PA): APTFE: AAcetal (POM): BAluminium: CEPDM: CViton (FPM): CLDPE: CNBR: CNBRPolycarbonate: CPP: CPVDF: CSS 304: CSS 316: CPVC Rigid: DECTFE/ETFE: –HDPE: –PETG: –PMP: –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –PVC Flexible: –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 maintains a consistent rating of C across all 2 tested concentrations (liquid, gaseous) of Phosgene 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

Phosgene is commonly encountered in surface cleaning and water treatment. NBR (Nitrile butadiene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Because Phosgene 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 Phosgene 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, Nylon (PA), FEP, PTFE offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

When choosing between elastomers for Phosgene service, engineers consider not just the resistance rating but also factors such as permeation rate, creep resistance, and weldability.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for gaseous, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) B
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP 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.