Introduction

 

An NBR O-Ring is a molded elastomeric sealing element manufactured from copolymer butadiene and acrylonitrile. It functions by creating a physical barrier between two or more mating surfaces, preventing the passage of liquids or gases under static and dynamic operational conditions.Nitrile rubber achieves its primary mechanical utility from its acrylonitrile (ACN) content, which typically ranges from 30% to 42% in standard industrial grades.

 

NBR Rubber O Rings

 

Product Types

Standard O-Rings (AS568 / Metric Sizes): Toroidal sealing rings produced in standard cross-sections and inner diameters following AS568, ISO 3601, JIS B 2401, and GB/T 3452.1 dimensional standards.

 

X-Ring / Quad-Ring Profiles: Four-lobed elastomeric seals providing dual-sealing contact points. This geometry reduces friction and prevents spiral failure in reciprocating dynamic applications compared to standard round cross-sections.

 

Custom Molded Cord and Spliced Rings: Extruded nitrile cords vulcanized or bonded into specific ring diameters for large-scale housings where standard compression molds are uneconomical.

 

Backed-Up O-Rings: NBR rings paired with hard plastic or PTFE anti-extrusion rings, deployed in high-pressure hydraulic circuits to prevent seal extrusion into clearance gaps.

 

 

Materials and Performance

Polymer Base: Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber (NBR), standard sulfur-cured or peroxide-cured variants.

 

Hardness Range: 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 Shore A. Standard stock components are molded at 70 Shore A to balance elasticity and extrusion resistance.

 

Temperature Range: Standard compounds operate continuously from -30 degrees C to +100 degrees C, with short-term exposure limits up to +120 degrees C depending on aniline point of contacting oils. Low-temperature specialized formulations reach -40 degrees C.

 

Fluid Resistance: Excellent resistance to petroleum oils, crude oil, gasoline, propane, mineral oil, silicone oils, and dilute acids. Unsuitable for polar solvents, ketones, esters, brake fluids with glycol base, and ozone-rich environments.

NBR Rubber O Rings suppliers

 

Technical Specifications
 

Property

Test Method

Typical Specification Value

Polymer Content (ACN)

ASTM D297

32% to 38% (Medium-High Nitrile)

Hardness

ASTM D2240

70 ± 5 Shore A

Tensile Strength

ASTM D412

Minimum 14.5 MPa

Ultimate Elongation

ASTM D412

Minimum 300%

Compression Set

ASTM D395 (22 h at 100 °C)

Maximum 25%

Density

ASTM D297

1.20 ± 0.05 g/cm3

Dimensional Tolerance

ISO 3601-1 / RMA Class A2

Precision molded, ±0.05 mm to ±0.15 mm

 

Applications

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Cylinders

Sealing pistons, rods, and cylinder end caps against high-pressure hydraulic oil and compressed air.

Automotive Fuel Systems

Fuel pumps, carburetor connections, and oil pans exposed to diesel, gasoline, and engine lubricants.

Industrial Valves and Pumps

Ball valves, gate valves, centrifugal pump housings, and pipe coupling interfaces.

Gearboxes and Compressors

Rotary shaft stationary covers and internal oil galleries operating under continuous splash lubrication.

 

NBR Cured O Rings

 

How to Select NBR O-Rings

Determine Groove Dimensions: Calculate the gland fill, stretch, and squeeze ratio. Standard squeeze ranges between 15 percent and 30 percent of the cross-section diameter (W).

 

Verify Chemical Compatibility: Cross-reference the working fluid with nitrile compound resistance tables. Ensure the ACN content matches the aromatic hydrocarbon concentration in the oil.

 

Assess Temperature Limits: Confirm that continuous operating temperatures do not exceed +100 degrees C to prevent polymer embrittlement and permanent compression set.

 

Evaluate Pressure versus Clearance: For operating pressures exceeding 10 MPa (100 bar), check the radial clearance gap to determine if anti-extrusion back-up rings are necessary.

 

 

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Production runs utilize direct compression molding and injection molding technology utilizing automated vacuum presses. Compound batch mixing is managed via internal batch mixers with computerized dispersion monitoring to ensure uniform cross-linking density.

 

Quality inspection protocols include:

  • Dimensional Sorting: Automated optical sorting machines inspect inner diameter, outer diameter, and cross-section thickness to verify compliance with ISO 3601 tolerances.
  • Visual Defect Screening: Inspection for flash, parting line mismatch, flow marks, and micro-voids.
  • Physical Testing: Random sampling per production lot for tensile strength, elongation at break, specific gravity, and Shore A hardness verification.
  • Compression Set Testing: Laboratory thermal aging tests to measure elastomer recovery after sustained mechanical deflection.
Nitrile O Rings

 

Custom and OEM Manufacturing
 

Compound Customization

Formulation adjustments for low-temperature flexibility, high abrasion resistance, or specific regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA-compliant or NSF-certified grades for specific liquid handling).

Non-Standard Tooling

Rapid mold fabrication for specialized inner diameters, non-circular cross-sections, or proprietary groove configurations based on CAD step files or technical drawings.

Part Identification

Custom packaging, bulk barcoding, and laser-marked dispensing kits for assembly line integration.

 

Packaging and Delivery

 

Packaging prevents environmental degradation and physical distortion during international shipping:

Buna N O Rings

Primary Packaging

Vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags treated with anti-stick agents to prevent parts from adhering under ambient humidity.

NBR Rubber O Rings

Secondary Packaging

Heavy-duty corrugated master cartons lined with moisture barrier films. Each carton displays batch numbers, material compound codes, dimension specs, and manufacturing dates.

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber O Rings

Storage Recommendations

Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight, ultraviolet sources, and ozone-generating electrical equipment to maximize shelf life.

 

 

Our Certifications

productcate-800-300
productcate-800-300
 

FAQ

 

Q: What is the maximum continuous operating temperature for standard NBR O-rings?

A: Standard NBR compounds operate continuously up to +100 degrees C. Intermittent exposure up to +120 degrees C is acceptable, but prolonged operation at elevated temperatures accelerates cross-link hardening and reduces elasticity.

Q: How does Acrylonitrile (ACN) content affect NBR performance?

A: ACN content dictates oil resistance versus low-temperature flexibility. Higher ACN content (up to 42 percent) improves resistance to swelling in petroleum oils and fuels, while lower ACN content (down to 30 percent) provides better flexibility at sub-zero temperatures.

Q: Are NBR O-rings suitable for outdoor or UV-exposed applications?

A: No. Standard nitrile rubber contains unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in the butadiene backbone that are vulnerable to ozone cracking and ultraviolet degradation when exposed to direct sunlight or weathering.

Q: What is the standard hardness for industrial NBR O-rings?

A: The default industrial hardness is 70 Shore A. This durometer provides an optimal balance between conforming to rough surface micro-irregularities and resisting extrusion under system pressure. Harder compounds (90 Shore A) are available for high-pressure systems.

Q: How do I prevent NBR O-rings from extruding into clearance gaps at high pressures?

A: When operating pressures exceed 10 MPa without pressure reduction, excessive gap clearance causes seal extrusion. Prevention requires reducing the radial clearance gap, selecting a higher durometer compound (90 Shore A), or installing PTFE back-up rings downstream of the O-ring.

Q: What is the shelf life of nitrile rubber O-rings under proper storage?

A: When stored in sealed polyethylene bags away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and ozone-generating equipment, standard NBR O-rings retain their physical properties for 5 to 7 years.

Q: Can NBR O-rings be used with brake fluids or ester-based synthetic lubricants?

A: No. Nitrile rubber swells and degrades rapidly when exposed to glycol-based brake fluids, phosphate esters, ketones, and polar solvents. Fluorocarbon (FKM/Viton) or EPDM elastomers should be specified for those media.

Q: What dimensional standards do your molded NBR O-rings follow?

A: Production tooling complies with international industrial standards, including AS568 (American Aerospace Standard), ISO 3601, JIS B 2401, and metric GB/T standards. Custom dimensions are manufactured upon receipt of engineering drawings.

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