Material & application review
Rubber Material Selection Guide: NR, EPDM and NBR
Start with the service environment, then review the rubber compound and part design. NR, EPDM and NBR have different strengths and limitations; a material name alone is not a complete specification.
Compare NR, EPDM and NBR for vibration pads, mounts and custom molded rubber parts. Use the table below to narrow down your options, then share your operating temperature, any oil or weather exposure, and a drawing or sample for review.
Request a material review1. Compare NR, EPDM and NBR
Use these general tendencies to identify questions for review. They are not specifications for Jincheng Rubber products or a guarantee of compatibility.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns. Keyboard users can focus the table and use the arrow keys.
| Material family | Why it may be considered | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| NR — Natural rubber | A starting point when elasticity and mechanical performance matter, including cushioning and vibration applications. | Review oil or fuel contact and outdoor ageing. Do not assume suitability for petroleum oils or fuels. |
| EPDM — Ethylene propylene diene rubber | A starting point for weather, ozone and heat exposure; water contact may also be relevant to a grade review. | Generally unsuitable for petroleum oils and hydrocarbon fuels. Check the exact fluid, temperature and exposure conditions. |
| NBR — Nitrile butadiene rubber | A starting point when resistance to mineral oils or petroleum-based fluids is a key requirement. | Oil resistance is fluid- and compound-dependent. Review outdoor, ozone and UV exposure rather than assuming weather resistance. |
Different grades, blends and formulations within a material family can behave differently. If the requirement falls outside these starting points, provide the full service conditions for a separate material review.
See materials in actual production examples
These examples describe individual parts we have produced. They do not establish material suitability or performance for a new application.
2. Describe the actual service conditions
Temperature and exposure
- Give the normal temperature, minimum and maximum, units, and how long each extreme lasts.
- Identify whether heat comes from ambient air, a contacting fluid or nearby equipment. Include cleaning cycles where relevant.
- For oil, fuel or chemicals, provide the product name, concentration and contact temperature. Include a technical or safety data sheet when available.
- Distinguish occasional splash from continuous contact or immersion.
Installation and duty
- State indoor or outdoor use, direct sunlight, weather, water and any known ozone exposure.
- Describe compression, movement, rubbing, impact or repeated deformation.
- For vibration products, provide support positions, load at each point if known, and operating speed or excitation frequency.
- Include mating surfaces, metal bonding requirements and fit-critical dimensions.
“Oil-resistant,” “outdoor use” or “high temperature” leaves important questions open. A useful request identifies the actual fluid, temperatures, duration and mechanical duty together.
Any temperature limit should be agreed for the specific compound, exposure and part. A generic family range is not a service rating for a finished pad or mount.
3. Treat hardness as one part of the specification
State Shore A hardness and its tolerance if specified, together with the required material or compound code. Rubber color and visual appearance do not identify the compound.
Two compounds with the same hardness can differ in chemical compatibility, ageing and mechanical behavior. Hardness alone does not establish allowable load, stiffness, vibration isolation or service life.
For pads and mounts, review the geometry, load direction and operating conditions alongside the material. Agree any required compound tests, part tests and sample acceptance criteria before production.
The common pad hardness shown in our pad selection guide should not be applied automatically to mounts or custom parts. “Synthetic rubber” is also not a specific confirmation of EPDM or NBR.
4. Send a material review checklist
Copy the checklist and mark unknown items as “to be confirmed.” An existing drawing, material specification or sample helps clarify the starting point.
Rubber material review request
Part / model / drawing revision:
Existing material or compound code, if known:
Application and installation arrangement:
Normal operating temperature (units):
Minimum / maximum temperature and duration:
Oil / fuel / chemical product name and concentration:
Contact type – splash / intermittent / continuous / immersion:
Indoor / outdoor; sunlight, weather and ozone exposure:
Water / cleaning agents and cleaning conditions:
Load, movement and vibration requirements:
Shore A hardness and tolerance, if specified:
Critical dimensions, tolerances and bonding requirements:
Required inspection or acceptance tests:
Drawing / sample available:
Trial / production quantity and delivery destination:
Unknown requirements to be confirmed:For quantities, packing, delivery and a complete quotation email, use the rubber product RFQ guide.
Open the inquiry formCommon material selection questions
Which rubber is best for vibration isolation?
There is no universal choice. Review the required response, geometry, load and movement together with temperature and exposure. A material family or hardness value alone cannot confirm isolation performance.
Does NBR suit every oil, or EPDM every outdoor application?
No. These are starting points for review. Confirm the actual fluid or environment, the compound and the part’s mechanical duty; use agreed tests where needed.
Can I request a review without specifying a material?
Yes. Describe the service conditions and any existing part specification or failure symptoms. We will clarify the information needed and confirm available options for the request.
Can a general material guide prove a certification?
No. If compliance or a test report is required, state the exact requirement. Availability of documentation for the proposed compound and finished part must be confirmed separately.
Continue your selection
Rubber pad selection → · Rubber mount selection → · Prepare your RFQ →
Technical reference
The comparison summarizes general material tendencies from Trelleborg’s industrial rubber sheeting overview and technical rubber sheet material descriptions. These external product references do not establish the performance or availability of our compounds or finished parts.
Trelleborg industrial rubber sheeting overview · Trelleborg technical rubber sheet material descriptions
Specify hardness clearly
Read the Shore A hardness guide to understand the reading, tolerance and test conditions, and why hardness alone does not establish load capacity.
Shore A hardness guide →