Summary
- NBR is rated better with
- Alkalis (+40 points); Salts and salt solutions (+30 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+93 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+93 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+88 points); Phenols (+86 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+82 points); Alcohols and glycols (+53 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+41 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+31 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+30 points); Organic acids (+30 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Halogenated hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | NBR: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 13 % (63 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 37 % (63 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 64 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 82 % (198 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 15 % (62 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 45 % (58 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 0 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 9 % (35 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (76 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (39 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 7 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 59 % (78 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 69 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 20 % (71 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 450 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | NBR | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Carbonate | aqueous | D | A |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | D | A | |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anise Oil | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NBR or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 965 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, NBR and Aluminium share the same rating in 311 rows (32 %). NBR is rated better in 194 rows and Aluminium in 460 rows.
How do NBR and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 965 chemicals tested for both: NBR is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions. Aluminium is rated better with Esters and ethers, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Phenols. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Foods and beverages.
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.