SBR gasket

SBR seals are made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and are among the most commonly used sealing solutions in industrial environments. The material combines mechanical resilience, elasticity and cost-effectiveness, making it particularly suitable for applications involving movement, friction and moderate ambient conditions.

Typical areas of use are found wherever robust sealing combined with high stress is required – for example in mechanical engineering, in conveyor technology or in construction.

For classification within the range, you will find further variants under rubber seals.

Request a custom SBR seal or configure it directly as a cut piece – individually manufactured for your application.

SBR seal briefly explained

SBR seals are versatile, mechanically resilient sealing elements made from synthetic rubber. They are particularly suitable for applications involving abrasion, movement and pressure load indoors. Due to their material properties, they are regarded as a cost-effective standard solution for many industrial areas of use.

Properties of SBR seals

Abrasion resistance and wear behaviour

SBR is characterised by very good abrasion resistance. This property makes the material particularly interesting for applications involving continuous movement, frictional contact between components and mechanical stress from pressure or vibration. Compared with many other elastomers, SBR offers stable long-term behaviour.

Temperature resistance and service limits

SBR seals are designed for a temperature range of approximately −40 °C to +100 °C. This makes them suitable for numerous industrial applications. At permanently high temperatures, the material loses elasticity and shows ageing effects.

Elasticity and recovery behaviour

SBR has good elastic recovery. As a result, the material reliably adapts to sealing surfaces and ensures uniform sealing even under varying loads.

Chemical resistance

SBR shows solid resistance to water, aqueous solutions, diluted acids and alcohols. Resistance to oils, greases and many solvents is limited.

Weathering and ageing behaviour

SBR is sensitive to UV radiation and ozone. Under permanent outdoor use, ageing phenomena such as embrittlement or cracking occur.

Technical characteristics of SBR (typical)

Property	Typical range
Hardness	50–80 Shore A
Density	approx. 1.1–1.25 g/cm³
Tensile strength	5–20 MPa
Elongation at break	200–500 %
Temperature range	−40 °C to +100 °C

Areas of application for SBR seals

• Mechanical engineering SBR seals are used to seal moving components and reliably protect against dust, moisture and mechanical wear. Particularly in guides, housings and bearing areas, the material ensures long-lasting sealing.
• Automotive industry Typical areas of use are chassis components, damping elements and mechanically stressed sealing points. SBR convinces here through its combination of elasticity and abrasion resistance.
• Construction industry SBR is used in expansion joints, seals indoors and elastic mountings. Particularly in applications involving movement or pressure load, the material shows its advantages.
• Conveyor technology and industrial plants SBR seals are used in conveyor systems, transitions and heavily stressed sealing zones. The high abrasion resistance ensures a long service life even under intensive use.

Production and material structure

SBR is created by the polymerisation of styrene and butadiene, two petrochemical base materials whose ratio is specifically adjusted in order to achieve the desired material properties. The styrene content primarily influences hardness and strength, while butadiene provides elasticity and flexibility.

After polymerisation, the material is mixed with various additives. These include fillers, plasticisers, anti-ageing agents and vulcanisation chemicals, among others. These components largely determine the subsequent properties such as abrasion behaviour, temperature resistance and ageing stability.

A central process step is vulcanisation. In this process, the polymer chains are linked to one another by sulphur or alternative crosslinking systems. This crosslinking leads to:

• increased mechanical stability
• improved dimensional stability
• higher fatigue strength
• optimised recovery behaviour

Depending on the application, different formulations are used, making it possible to specifically produce variants with higher hardness, improved abrasion resistance or adapted elasticity.

In addition, SBR can be processed in various manufacturing processes, for example by pressing, extrusion or stamping. This allows both simple sealing geometries and complex profiles and dimensionally accurate cut pieces to be realised.

Typical mistakes when selecting SBR seals

In practice, SBR seals are often used in applications for which they are only conditionally suitable. Use in contact with oils or fuels is particularly critical, as the material quickly loses resistance here.

Use outdoors also frequently leads to problems, as UV radiation and ozone attack the material structure and lead to cracks and embrittlement in the long term.

Another common mistake lies in incorrect dimensioning. Insufficient material thicknesses or wrong hardness grades cause the seal to lose its function under load.

Processing and installation of SBR seals

Correct processing plays a central role in reliable sealing. SBR seals should be used with the appropriate compression in order to ensure uniform sealing.

For self-adhesive variants, ensure a clean, grease-free surface. Alternatively, seals can be mechanically fixed or bonded.

Tolerances and dimensional accuracy are also decisive, particularly in dynamic applications. Dimensionally accurate cut pieces ensure uniform pressure distribution and increase service life.

Product variants and designs

SBR seals are available as:

• flat gaskets
• sealing strips
• profile seals
• O-rings
• sealing discs

In addition, dimensionally accurate cut pieces, special shapes and self-adhesive variants can be realised.

Advantages of SBR seals

• high abrasion resistance
• good elasticity
• cost-effective solution
• versatile in use

Limits and typical weaknesses

SBR seals show their limits above all in environments with chemical or climatic stress. The material is sensitive to oil-based media, fuels and many organic solvents, which restricts the possible uses in corresponding applications.

Under the influence of UV radiation, ozone and permanent weathering, the material also changes. Over time, ageing phenomena such as embrittlement, cracking and a loss of elastic properties occur. As a result, the sealing effect and the service life of the components are reduced.

In the area of high temperatures, SBR increasingly loses stability. Elasticity decreases and the material can become permanently deformed. For applications with constantly high thermal loads, other elastomers are therefore better suited.

SBR compared with other sealing materials

Material	Strengths	Weaknesses	Typical use
SBR	high abrasion resistance, good elasticity, cost-effective	low oil and weathering resistance	mechanically stressed applications
EPDM	very good weathering, UV and ozone resistance	lower abrasion resistance	outdoor applications, construction
NBR	very good oil and fuel resistance	lower weathering resistance	hydraulics, mechanical engineering
Silicone	wide temperature range, high flexibility	lower mechanical resilience	food technology, high temperature

Selection guide

The choice of the right sealing material depends heavily on the specific operating conditions. SBR is particularly suitable for applications in which mechanical stress and abrasion play a central role.

SBR is a suitable solution when a seal is regularly exposed to movement, friction or pressure and at the same time a cost-effective material solution is required. In such cases, the material offers a reliable combination of elasticity and resistance.

SBR also plays to its strengths in applications indoors or in protected environments. Without direct exposure to UV radiation or ozone, the material remains stable and functional over a long period.

For outdoor applications or permanent weathering influences, an alternative is also recommended, as SBR ages faster under these conditions. Here, materials such as EPDM offer significantly better properties.

In summary, SBR is suitable whenever mechanical stress is the priority and the ambient conditions remain moderate. The material choice should always be made in the context of the specific application.

Request an SBR seal now or configure a cut piece – a perfect fit for your application.

Frequently asked questions about SBR seals

What is an SBR seal?

An SBR seal is a sealing element made from styrene-butadiene rubber. The material is one of the most commonly used synthetic rubbers and is used primarily in mechanically stressed applications.

What are SBR seals used for?

SBR seals are used in mechanical engineering, in the construction industry and in vehicle technology. Typical applications are seals against dust, air and light moisture.

What properties do SBR seals have?

SBR seals offer high abrasion resistance, good elasticity and solid mechanical properties. They are particularly suitable for dynamic applications involving movement or wear.

In what temperature range can SBR seals be used?

SBR seals are designed for a temperature range of approximately −40 °C to +100 °C and thus cover many industrial standard applications.

Are SBR seals resistant to oil and grease?

SBR seals have limited resistance to oils, greases and fuel-containing media. Other sealing materials are better suited for such areas of use.

Are SBR seals suitable for outdoor use?

For permanently weathered applications, SBR is only conditionally suitable, as the material reacts more sensitively to UV radiation, ozone and weathering influences.

Are SBR seals available as custom-made products?

In addition to standard dimensions, SBR seals are also available as individual cut pieces or special shapes and can be adapted to specific installation situations.

What advantages do SBR seals offer?

SBR seals are regarded as a cost-effective solution with good abrasion resistance and elasticity and are therefore frequently used for technically demanding standard applications.

What limits do SBR seals have?

The possible uses are limited by the limited resistance to high temperatures, UV radiation as well as oils, greases and many solvents.