Summary
- SAN is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+58 points); Mineral acids (+48 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+43 points); Organic acids (+42 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Phenols (+25 points); Alcohols and glycols (+25 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+12 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+15 points); Foods and beverages (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Esters and ethers; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
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 %
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 | SAN: rated A or B | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 61 % (18 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 79 % (24 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (8 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (80 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 73 % (26 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 70 % (33 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 25 % (8 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (19 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 0 % (19 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 56 % (9 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (24 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 68 % (22 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 5 % (20 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 82 % (22 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 83 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | SAN | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Diethanolamine | 100 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hexachlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | A | D |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Methylcyclohexane | A | D | |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | A | D |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | A | D |
| Ozone | A | D | |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Phthalic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Potassium Permanganate | A | D | |
| Potassium Persulfate | any concentration | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 12,5 % Cl | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 15 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | saturated | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | dilute | A | D |
| Sulfur | technical grade | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Triethanolamine (TEA) | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | C |
| Acetylene | 100 % | C | A |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | C |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | B | D | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Carbazole | D | B | |
| Cloves | ground | D | B |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | C |
| Diethylene Glycol | A | C | |
| Ethanol | 96 % | A | C |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | C |
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 SAN or NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 362 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, SAN and NBR share the same rating in 217 rows (60 %). SAN is rated better in 132 rows and NBR in 13 rows.
How do SAN and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 362 chemicals tested for both: SAN is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons, Foods and beverages. They perform similarly with Esters and ethers, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils.
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.