CR vs. NBR Rubber: How to Choose the Right Material and Manufacturing Process

When choosing a rubber material for a sealing component, gasket or industrial rubber part, material selection is only the first step. The application, working environment, product design and manufacturing process all need to be considered.

CR (Chloroprene Rubber) and NBR (Nitrile Rubber) are two commonly used rubber materials, but they offer different performance characteristics and are suitable for different applications.

CR Rubber – Good Weather and Ozone Resistance

CR, also known as Neoprene, offers a good balance of mechanical properties, weather resistance and ozone resistance.

It is commonly selected for applications where the rubber product is exposed to outdoor environments, aging, ozone or general industrial conditions.

Typical CR applications include:

• Molded rubber parts

• Rubber gaskets

• Sealing components

• Vibration isolation parts

• Industrial rubber components

For molded rubber parts, CR can be a suitable choice when the application requires a combination of mechanical strength and environmental resistance.

NBR Rubber – Excellent Oil and Fuel Resistance

NBR, or Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, is widely used when resistance to mineral oils, fuels and lubricants is an important requirement.

It also offers good mechanical strength, abrasion resistance and sealing performance, making it a common material for industrial sealing products.

Typical NBR applications include:

• Oil seals

• Rubber gaskets

• Hoses and tubes

• Extruded rubber profiles

• Industrial sealing strips

• Automotive rubber components

For applications involving oils or petroleum-based fluids, NBR is often a more suitable choice than CR.

Material Selection Is Only Part of the Solution

The same rubber material can behave differently depending on the product design and manufacturing process.

For molded rubber components, factors such as the mold design, shrinkage, hardness, part geometry and dimensional requirements all need to be considered.

For extruded rubber profiles, the profile design, material behavior, extrusion process and dimensional tolerances become particularly important.

NBR is widely used for continuous rubber extrusion profiles because it can provide stable extrusion performance for many industrial applications.

CR can also be used for certain rubber products and molded components. However, when a CR extruded profile requires tight dimensional tolerances, the specific profile design and production requirements need to be carefully evaluated before production.

Choosing the Right Rubber for Your Application

There is no single rubber material that is suitable for every application.

The right choice depends on factors such as:

Working temperature | Oil exposure | Weather conditions | Chemical environment | Hardness | Product design | Manufacturing process | Dimensional tolerance

At our factory, we work with different rubber materials including EPDM, NBR, CR, Silicone, FKM, TPE and PVC for customized rubber products.

If you are developing a new rubber component or looking for an alternative supplier, you can send us your drawing, sample, material specification or application requirements.

Our team can evaluate the material and manufacturing process and recommend a suitable solution for your project.