This image was created with artificial intelligence – marked under Art. 50 of the AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. It is a placeholder until the company's photos arrive.EPDM vs SBR vs NBR – differences & selection guide
EPDM, SBR or NBR? Differences, areas of application and clear decision-making guidance for rubber sheets Choose correctly now
The wrong choice of material leads to premature wear, leaks or failures. This is exactly what often happens when EPDM, SBR and NBR are regarded as comparable. The differences lie in the actual load and have a direct effect on function and service life.
In practice, the application environment determines the right choice. Weather, oil, mechanical load or temperature place different demands on the material. EPDM, SBR and NBR are each optimised for precisely these demands and can be clearly distinguished from one another.
Anyone who classifies the load correctly makes the material decision much faster and avoids typical errors in use.
EPDM rubber sheets – designed for outdoor areas and continuous load
EPDM is one of the most resistant types of rubber with regard to environmental influences. The material remains stable even under long-term UV radiation, ozone and moisture.
Its high ageing resistance is typical. EPDM remains elastic, while other materials harden over time. The material also shows very good resistance to water, steam and many chemicals.
The temperature range extends from about -40 °C to +120 °C.
Typical applications:
- Roof waterproofing
- Outdoor installations
- Pond construction
- Facade technology
SBR rubber sheets – economical and mechanically durable
SBR is the classic standard material for many applications. The focus is on mechanical durability and a stable price-performance ratio.
The material shows good abrasion resistance and is suitable for applications involving pressure, movement or weight.
The temperature range is between -30 °C and +70 °C.
Typical applications:
- Workshop floors
- Protective mats
- Machine mounts
- Simple seals
NBR rubber sheets – specialised for oil and technical media
NBR is the solution for applications involving oil, grease or fuels. The material remains stable where other rubbers swell or fail.
In addition, NBR offers good mechanical properties and is frequently used in mechanical engineering.
Typical applications:
- Hydraulic systems
- Mechanical engineering
- Vehicle technology
- Seals with oil contact
Chemical resistance in detail
| Medium | EPDM | SBR | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water / steam | very good | good | good |
| Acids / alkalis | good | limited | limited |
| Oil / fuels | unsuitable | unsuitable | very good |
| Ozone / UV | very good | poor | poor |
Technical differences in detail
| Property | EPDM | SBR | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shore hardness | 40–80 | 50–70 | 50–80 |
| Temperature | -40 to 120°C | -30 to 70°C | -30 to 100°C |
| Oil resistance | low | low | very high |
| UV resistance | very high | low | low |
| Abrasion resistance | good | very good | good |
Typical industries & fields of application
- Mechanical engineering and hydraulics → NBR
- Construction and outdoor sealing → EPDM
- Workshops and industrial surfaces → SBR
- Vehicle technology → NBR
- Garden and landscape construction → EPDM
Practical examples from application
A typical error from practice: SBR is used outdoors because it is cheaper. After a short time, cracks form due to UV radiation. The solution would have been EPDM.
In mechanical engineering, a different picture emerges. If EPDM is used here instead of NBR, oil contact leads to material failure. NBR remains stable in such environments.
In workshops or for floor solutions, SBR is frequently used. Here, mechanical durability counts for more than chemical resistance.
Limits of the materials
Every material has clear limits:
- EPDM reacts sensitively to oil and fuels
- SBR loses stability under UV and weather
- NBR is only suitable to a limited extent for permanent outdoor applications
These limits determine the suitability for use.
Material comparison by priority
- Focus on service life → EPDM
- Focus on price → SBR
- Focus on oil resistance → NBR
Buying advice: thickness, construction and cut to size
The choice of material forms the basis. The right design determines the function.
Thin rubber sheets (1–3 mm) are suitable for seals. Medium thicknesses (4–8 mm) are frequently used in mechanical engineering. Thick sheets (from 10 mm) are used under high load or as a floor solution.
Under mechanical load, a fabric insert can increase stability. Cut pieces to exact dimensions ensure clean integration.
Structured surfaces are suitable for anti-slip applications such as floors. Smooth surfaces are used for seals.
Under high load or tensile stress, a fabric insert is advisable.
A common error: choosing material that is too thin under high load. This leads to rapid wear or deformation.
Now select suitable rubber sheets or configure them directly as a cut piece.
Why the wrong choice of material becomes expensive
Wrong decisions lead to premature wear, replacement costs and production downtime. In technical applications, additional risks arise from leaks or material failure.
Typical errors in material selection
- Focus on price instead of the actual load
- Use of SBR in UV or outdoor applications
- Incorrect assessment of oil or chemical contact
- Failure to take temperature ranges into account
- Combination of several loads without adapting the material
Checklist for selecting a rubber sheet
- What environment is present (indoors or outdoors)?
- Is there contact with oil, water or chemicals?
- What mechanical load acts continuously?
- What temperature ranges occur?
- What service life is expected?
Extended decision-making aid
- Clarify the application environment: indoor or outdoor area
- Define media contact: water, oil, chemicals
- Assess mechanical load: pressure, movement, abrasion
- Determine temperature range: continuous and short-term
- Take service life and maintenance intervals into account
In conclusion
Together, EPDM, SBR and NBR cover a large proportion of all industrial applications. The materials differ clearly in their fields of application and can be assigned specifically.
EPDM is suitable for outdoor applications. SBR provides an economical solution for mechanical requirements. NBR is used with oil and technical media.
Wrong decisions arise from an unclear assessment of the load. A clean analysis of the environment, media contact and mechanical stress leads to long-lasting solutions and reduces follow-up costs.
For a reliable selection, the combination of material choice and suitable cut to size is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
EPDM or SBR for outdoor use?
EPDM is significantly better suited to outdoor use, as the material withstands UV radiation, ozone and weather better than SBR in the long term.
Is NBR temperature-resistant?
NBR is suitable for medium temperature ranges and remains dimensionally stable even under increased load. For oil-containing applications, NBR is often a very suitable solution.
Which rubber is suitable for floor mats?
SBR is frequently used for mechanically loaded floor mats. As soon as oil or technical media are also present, NBR is often better suited.
What is the difference between SBR and natural rubber?
SBR is a synthetic rubber with consistent properties and good abrasion resistance. Natural rubber is very elastic, but is assessed differently depending on the field of application.
Which rubber sheet is suitable for workshops?
SBR is frequently used for workshops, as the material is mechanically durable and economical. In contact with oil or fuels, NBR is usually the better choice.
What is the difference between EPDM and NBR?
EPDM is particularly suitable for weather, water and outdoor areas. NBR was developed for applications involving oil, grease and fuels.
Which rubber is suitable for outdoors?
EPDM is particularly well suited to outdoor use, as the material is very resistant to UV radiation, ozone and moisture.
Is SBR waterproof?
SBR is water-repellent and suitable for many standard applications. For permanent weather exposure, EPDM is better suited in many cases.
Which rubber is suitable for machines?
NBR is frequently used on machines where oil or lubricants are present. SBR is often used for purely mechanical loads.
Which rubber sheet lasts the longest?
The service life depends directly on the field of application. EPDM lasts a very long time under weather, NBR in oil contact and SBR under mechanical stress.
What thickness should a rubber sheet have?
Thin sheets are suitable for seals and simple supports, medium thicknesses for technical applications and thick sheets for heavily loaded surfaces or floor solutions.
Our rubber sheets
For industry and trade, we offer a wide variety of rubber sheets.
SBR rubber sheet
Our high-quality SBR rubber sheet (styrene-butadiene rubber) is the solution for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This rubber sheet is manufactured from first-class styrene-butadiene rubber and stands out thanks to its outstanding physical properties.
EPDM rubber sheet
Discover the versatility and reliability of our EPDM rubber sheet, which is manufactured from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). This high-quality elastomer solution has been specially developed to meet the most demanding industrial and commercial applications.
NBR rubber sheet
The NBR rubber sheet is a high-quality industrial product that has been specially developed for applications requiring excellent resistance to oils, greases and various chemicals.
Viton rubber sheet
The Viton rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is used for a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured from fluoro rubber (FKM), it offers outstanding properties that make it the ideal choice for extreme conditions.
FKM rubber sheet
The FKM rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is ideal for use in demanding industrial applications. Made from fluoro rubber (FKM), it stands out thanks to a wide range of outstanding properties that make it the optimum choice for extreme operating conditions.
Silicone rubber sheet
The silicone rubber sheet is a first-class technical product that has been specially developed for applications placing high demands on temperature resistance and flexibility.
PUR rubber sheet
The PUR rubber sheet, made from high-quality polyurethane, is a technically advanced product that has been developed for applications placing the highest demands on abrasion resistance and mechanical durability.
Neoprene rubber sheet
The neoprene rubber sheet, manufactured from high-quality chloroprene rubber (CR), is a versatile technical product that is ideal for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
