While most people assume all Buna-n , (also called NBR or Nitrile gasket materials) are the same, the simple truth is they are not. Regardless of what rubber compound you are referring to, it is a compound. Compounds by definition are made up of multiple types of rubber, to maximize performance of specific characteristics . Those characteristics may be tensile, recovery, durometer, color, finish, grip (if they are used as belts) ozone resistance or any specific chemical or heat compatibility.
Ever wonder why one manufactures product holds up better than anothers? Specific compound characteristics are added by blending another material with the base material. In this case Buna N or Nitrile. Other compounds may include Neoprene, carboxylated nitrile (XNBR), Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR), EPDM, EP, EPR, SBR, Chloroprene, Polyacrylate, Ethelene Acrylic, acrylonitrile-butadiene (this is not a complete list). All or a couple of these natural or synthetic rubbers can be mixed to various ratios, combined with fillers to form a specific compound. No two compounds are alike, just like grandma’s cookies.
If a manufacture knows the equipment the gasket material are used in spend most of their time exposed to ozone (sunlight), they may blend EPDM into the base Nitrile to increase the life span of the gasket material (more likely they would just buy EPDM, but in this example they are hoping for a cost savings). A Nitrile gasket material can be NSF or FDA if compounded properly.
Ever wonder why the repair you did lasted less time than the products original life. It just may be due to the compound of the Nitrile rubber in your gasket material or gasket.. A great example of rubber compounding to maximize performance is the “Super Ball” the question of why it bounced so high can be answered with one word “compounding”. Two balls can look the same, feel equally dense and yet one will bounce high and the other can bounce very little or not at all.
In today’s market we do see gasket material and rubber gaskets considered as a commodity. The ironic thing is often repairs are done at industrial plants using the lowest bidders product. In reality the 25% savings purchasing was excited about finding, can often result in a 1000% increase in repair costs. In contrast to total costs, the gasket material, gaskets and other seal expenses pail in comparison to labor and other components costs. Supplying cheap seals is the biggest gamble with your budget you can make.
American Seal & Packing provides quality gasket material from high quality sources. We have very carefully selected our factories, and have done business with each of them for many years. All are ISO 9001 certified and have earned our respect.
So, whether your looking for a quality Buna gasket material, Buna-N gasket material or Nitrile gasket material (trick statement because they are all Nitrile Butadiene rubber) , make sure you buy a quality compound designed for your service.
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