Nitrile Rubber Adhesives

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), also known as nitrile rubber or Buna-N, is a synthetic rubber elastomer. It is a copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene.

Compared to natural rubber, nitrile rubber has a high resistance to chemicals like oil, fuel, grease, and hydraulic fluids. It also has great tensile strength, good abrasion resistance, and high heat resistance. While it has a wide temperature range, nitrile rubber has poor weather resistance and struggles when exposed to sunlight and ozone. Nitrile rubber is commonly used in automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas industries.

Bonding Nitrile Rubber

While nitrile rubber can be great for applications involving oil and grease, its high chemical resistance can also make it harder to bond. It also has a lower surface energy and contains plasticizers that can interfere with adhesive bonding. As a result, it is difficult for some types of adhesives to form good adhesion to nitrile rubber.

In general, the best adhesives for bonding rubber, such as nitrile rubber, are cyanoacrylate adhesives. Natural rubber and silicone rubber may need specialized cyanoacrylate adhesives, but gluing nitrile rubber can be done with the right cyanoacrylate and appropriate surface preparation.

Adhesive Recommendations for Nitrile Rubber

When it comes to getting a lasting bond, choosing the right nitrile rubber adhesive is crucial. Below are a few glues for nitrile rubber that may work for your application.

Infinity Bond Rubber Toughened CA Glue
This rubber toughened cyanoacrylate is great for applications needing greater shock, peel, and shear strength. This series has a set time ranging from 20 to 40 seconds and multiple viscosities to choose from. It also has a temperature resistance from –65°F to 250°F.
Infinity Bond SI Glue
This series of general purpose cyanoacrylates has the added benefit of being surface insensitive, so it is able to neutralize surface acids and cure faster than traditional cyanoacrylates. You can choose from a low viscosity of 5 cps up to a high viscosity gel.
3M 1099 Adhesive
Another great nitrile rubber glue, this product is actually nitrile-based. With an open time of about 40 minutes, it is quick drying at room temperature. This 3M nitrile rubber glue also offers great resistance to water, oil, fuel, and weather to last in more challenging environments.
Loctite 380 Cyanoacrylate Adhesive
Another great product to try, this Loctite nitrile rubber adhesive is a versatile option with a rubber toughened formula and low viscosity. It has both good flexibility and peel strength for better resistance to shock.

While these products have been successful in the past in applications involving this substrate, the best adhesive for nitrile rubber varies from one application to another. Always check the technical datasheet for specifics on substrates and bonding environments. You can also reach out to our adhesive experts for a personalized product recommendation.

How to Glue Nitrile Rubber

Because there are some challenges when it comes to bonding, it is important to not only choose the right adhesive for nitrile rubber but also to apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Surface preparation for nitrile rubber generally involves cleaning and degreasing the substrates with a trichloroethylene solvent or modified bleach solution to remove any contaminants. The substrates should dry completely before applying the adhesive. Always follow recommended safety instructions such as wearing protective clothing or eye gear. Unfortunately, surface preparation techniques such as corona treatment, flame treatment, and acid etching have little effect and do not improve adhesion when working with nitrile rubber substrates.

Once applied, clamping the substrates together may be recommended until you reach the handling strength. Handling strength time and cure time will vary depending on the product. Unused adhesive should be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions for later use.

Always test the nitrile rubber adhesive on your substrates and in your bonding environment to ensure it gives you the results you need before rolling it out to your entire production.

Get More Advice

The best glue for nitrile rubber is specific to the application. You will need to consider several factors to find the right adhesive for your needs. If you are not sure which product is best, let us help. Contact us and get a personalized product recommendation to save time and money from guesswork.