Nitrile Rubber Sheet UK: Complete 2026 Guide — Properties, Grades & Applications
Last updated: June 2026 — Expanded with 2026 application guidance, nitrile vs. alternatives comparison, hardness guide, and additional buyer FAQs.
Nitrile rubber sheet — also known as NBR (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber) — is the go-to engineering material wherever oil, fuel, or petroleum products are present. Whether you're fitting workshop floor matting, cutting gaskets for hydraulic systems, or lining a bund wall around fuel storage tanks, nitrile is the compound that delivers where EPDM and SBR cannot.
This guide covers everything you need to know about nitrile rubber sheet in the UK: what it is, how it's graded, where to use it, how it compares to other rubber compounds, and how to buy the right grade for your application.
What Is Nitrile Rubber?
Nitrile rubber is a synthetic elastomer produced by copolymerising acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. The ratio of ACN to butadiene determines the compound's performance characteristics:
| ACN Content | Oil Resistance | Low-Temp Flexibility | UK Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-25% (Low) | Moderate | Excellent (−40°C) | Cold store, refrigeration |
| 28-33% (Medium) | Good | Good (−30°C) | General engineering, automotive |
| 36-42% (High) | Excellent | Moderate (−20°C) | Oil & fuel seals, bund liners |
Most UK industrial-grade nitrile rubber sheet is supplied at 33-36% ACN — balancing oil resistance with reasonable cold-temperature performance.
Properties of Nitrile Rubber Sheet
- Excellent resistance to: mineral oils, diesel, petrol, hydraulic fluids, lubricating greases, aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Good resistance to: animal fats, vegetable oils, water, dilute acids
- Poor resistance to: aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ozone, UV — do not use nitrile outdoors without protection
- Temperature range: −30°C to +120°C (short-term to +140°C)
- Shore hardness: typically 50-70 Shore A in sheet form
- Tensile strength: 10-20 MPa depending on grade
Nitrile vs EPDM vs Neoprene: When to Use Which
The most common question in rubber sheeting selection is which polymer is right for a specific environment. Here is a direct comparison:
| Property | Nitrile (NBR) | EPDM | Neoprene (CR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil & Fuel Resistance | ✓✓✓ Excellent | ✗ Poor | ✓✓ Good |
| Weather & UV Resistance | ✗ Poor | ✓✓✓ Excellent | ✓✓ Good |
| Temperature Range | −30 to +120°C | −40 to +130°C | −35 to +100°C |
| Water Resistance (WRAS) | ✓ Good | ✓✓✓ Excellent | ✓✓ Good |
| Relative Cost (UK) | Medium-High | Medium | Medium-High |
Rule of thumb: If you need oil resistance, choose Nitrile. If you need outdoor weathering resistance, choose EPDM. If you need both, choose Neoprene (with the understanding that its oil resistance is lower than Nitrile).
Common Applications of Nitrile Rubber Sheet in the UK
1. Automotive Workshops & Garages
Nitrile is the standard flooring compound for vehicle service areas. Drip trays, workshop floor runners, and oil-resistant bench matting should all be specified in nitrile — not EPDM or SBR, which will swell and degrade on contact with mineral oils and brake fluid. A 6mm or 10mm nitrile sheet provides adequate cushioning under foot while resisting contamination from all typical automotive fluids.
2. Engineering & Manufacturing — Gaskets & Seals
Nitrile's dimensional stability under oil exposure makes it ideal for cut gaskets in hydraulic, pneumatic and lubrication systems. It maintains its seal integrity where natural rubber or EPDM gaskets would swell and distort. Common thicknesses for gasket cutting are 1.5mm, 3mm, and 6mm.
3. Bund Liners & Oil Storage
The Environment Agency's PPG 2 (Pollution Prevention Guidance) requires bund liners to be chemically resistant to the stored fluid. For diesel, petrol, heating oil, or hydraulic fluid bunds, nitrile sheet (typically 3-6mm) bonded to the floor and walls provides compliant secondary containment. Always check specific chemical compatibility for non-standard oils or blended fuels.
4. Forecourt Matting
Petrol station and lorry park forecourts require rubber matting that resists fuel spills. Nitrile compound mats, typically with a ribbed or chequer-plate surface for grip, are the correct specification for these environments. SBR matting will fail rapidly in fuel-contact areas.
5. Food Processing (FDA-Grade Nitrile Only)
Food-grade nitrile rubber sheet — compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and EC 1935/2004 — is used for cutting boards, conveyor pads, door seals, and anti-fatigue matting in food production environments. Standard industrial nitrile is not food-grade — always specify the FDA-approved grade for food contact applications.
6. Printing Industry
Nitrile's resistance to printing inks, cleaning solvents (aliphatic), and roller washing compounds makes it the standard rubber compound for printing press rollers, blankets, and ink roller pads.
Available Grades of Nitrile Rubber Sheet in the UK
General Purpose Nitrile Sheet
Black compound, 50-70 Shore A hardness, 33% ACN. The standard grade for engineering gaskets, workshop matting, and industrial sealing. Available 1.4m-2m wide in thicknesses from 1.5mm to 25mm.
Food-Grade Nitrile Sheet
White or pale coloured, FDA 21 CFR compliant. Colour-coding helps with visual inspection and segregation in food environments. Available 1-1.5m wide, typically 1.5-10mm thickness.
High-ACN Nitrile Sheet
40%+ ACN content for maximum oil and fuel resistance. Used in demanding automotive and petrochemical sealing applications. Higher cost than general-purpose grade.
Buying Nitrile Rubber Sheet in the UK: What to Specify
When ordering nitrile sheet, confirm the following with your supplier:
- ACN content — confirms oil resistance level
- Shore A hardness — 50-70 Shore for most applications
- Thickness required — in mm, not inches
- Width — 1m, 1.4m, or wider rolls available
- Food grade? — specify FDA 21 CFR if food contact required
- Cut length or full roll — we supply by the metre or in 10m rolls
Shop Nitrile Rubber Sheet at Rubberco
We stock nitrile rubber sheeting in a range of thicknesses, widths, and grades for UK delivery. Cut to size by the metre or order full 10m rolls for best value. Free UK delivery on qualifying orders.
How to Cut Nitrile Rubber Sheet
Nitrile sheet cuts cleanly with standard workshop tools:
- Up to 6mm: Heavy-duty Stanley knife or box cutter against a steel rule. Score and snap for clean straight edges.
- 6-15mm: Jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade, or a heavy-duty scissors for straight cuts. Mark with chalk before cutting.
- 15mm+: Band saw or circular saw with a rubber-cutting blade. Water cooling extends blade life.
- Complex shapes: Die-cutting or waterjet cutting for high-volume gasket production.
Always allow the rubber to acclimatise to room temperature before cutting — cold rubber is stiffer and may tear rather than cut cleanly.
Nitrile Rubber Sheet: Technical Specifications
| Property | Typical Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Shore A Hardness | 50-70 Shore A (±5) | ISO 7619-1 |
| Tensile Strength | Min. 10 MPa | ISO 37 |
| Elongation at Break | Min. 250% | ISO 37 |
| Temperature Range | −30°C to +120°C | ASTM D2000 BF grade |
| Compression Set (70h/100°C) | Max 35% | ISO 815 |
| Colour | Black (standard), White (FDA grade) | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nitrile rubber sheet the same as NBR?
Yes. Nitrile rubber and NBR (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber) are the same material. The terms are used interchangeably. "Nitrile" is the common commercial name; "NBR" is the ISO/ASTM polymer designation.
Can nitrile rubber sheet be used outdoors?
Nitrile has poor ozone and UV resistance — prolonged outdoor exposure will cause surface cracking. For outdoor applications where oil resistance is not needed, use EPDM. For marine environments requiring both oil resistance and weather stability, use Neoprene. Nitrile can be used outdoors short-term or where protected from UV (e.g., under deck plates or within enclosures).
What is the difference between nitrile and neoprene rubber sheet?
Nitrile (NBR) has superior oil and fuel resistance. Neoprene (CR) has better weather and UV resistance while offering moderate oil resistance. Nitrile is the better choice for pure oil/fuel environments; neoprene is better where both weathering and some oil resistance are needed, such as marine applications.
Is nitrile rubber food safe?
Standard black industrial nitrile rubber is NOT food safe. For food contact applications, you must specify food-grade nitrile rubber sheet compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and/or EC 1935/2004. These grades use different compounding ingredients and are typically white or light coloured for visual inspection compliance.
How thick should nitrile rubber sheet be for workshop flooring?
For automotive workshop flooring and drip trays, 6mm nitrile sheet provides good durability and comfort underfoot. For heavy vehicle workshop areas or areas subject to vehicle traffic, use 10-12mm. For bench matting, 3-6mm is standard. Always ensure the nitrile sheet is bonded securely at edges to prevent trip hazards and to prevent oil seeping underneath.
Where can I buy nitrile rubber sheet in the UK?
Rubberco supplies nitrile rubber sheeting across the UK, available cut to length by the metre or in full 10m rolls. We stock general-purpose industrial grades in standard widths and thicknesses. Free delivery on qualifying orders. Browse our full rubber sheeting range or read our comprehensive Rubber Sheeting UK Guide covering all polymer types.
Nitrile Rubber Sheet vs Alternative Compounds — 2026 Comparison
Choosing the right rubber compound for your application requires understanding not just what nitrile is good at, but where other compounds outperform it. This table reflects 2026 product specifications and UK availability.
| Property | Nitrile (NBR) | EPDM | Neoprene | SBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil resistance | Excellent | Poor | Good | Poor |
| Weather/UV resistance | Moderate | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Temperature range | -30°C to +120°C | -40°C to +150°C | -40°C to +120°C | -40°C to +80°C |
| Water resistance | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Cost (relative) | Medium-high | Medium | Medium-high | Low |
| Food contact suitability | Food-grade grades available | Food-grade grades available | Limited grades | Not recommended |
| Best for | Oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid contact | Outdoor, roofing, water systems | Multi-purpose engineering | General purpose, low cost |
Nitrile Rubber Hardness Grades — Shore A Scale
Nitrile rubber is available in a range of Shore A hardness values, each suited to different engineering applications:
| Shore A Hardness | Feel / Flexibility | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 40–50 Shore A | Very soft, highly flexible | Diaphragms, lip seals, soft gaskets |
| 60 Shore A | Medium-soft — most common grade | General gaskets, sheet, flooring underlays |
| 70 Shore A | Medium-firm | Workshop mats, industrial sheet, bench covers |
| 80 Shore A | Firm — limited flex | High-pressure gaskets, anti-vibration pads |
| 90 Shore A | Hard rubber | Structural pads, heavy-duty seals |
If you are unsure which hardness to specify, 60–70 Shore A covers the majority of general industrial applications. Our team can advise on precise hardness selection for critical sealing applications.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum thickness available for nitrile rubber sheet UK?
Rubberco stocks nitrile rubber sheet from 1.5mm up to 25mm thickness. For most gasket applications, 1.5–6mm is the working range. Industrial workshop mat applications typically use 6–10mm. Very thick nitrile sheet (12–25mm) is used for anti-vibration mounts, impact absorbing pads, and structural isolation applications.
Can nitrile rubber sheet be used as food contact material?
Standard black nitrile rubber sheet is not food-grade. For food contact applications, you must specify food-grade nitrile (FDA-compliant NBR), which is manufactured without certain plasticisers and compounding ingredients that can migrate to food. Our food-grade nitrile sheet complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and EC Regulation 10/2011. See our rubber sheeting range for food-grade options.
Will nitrile rubber swell in diesel fuel?
Nitrile rubber has excellent resistance to diesel fuel, petrol (gasoline), and most petroleum-based oils and hydraulic fluids. Volume swell in diesel is typically under 10% for medium-high ACN content nitrile — within acceptable limits for most sealing applications. For jet fuel (Jet A-1 / AVTUR) or aggressive biofuel blends above B20, high ACN nitrile or fluorocarbon (FKM) should be specified instead.
Is nitrile rubber resistant to hydraulic oil?
Yes — nitrile rubber is the standard sealing compound for mineral-based hydraulic oil systems (ISO VG grades). It is less suitable for fire-resistant hydraulic fluids (phosphate ester-based HFD fluids) — for those applications, specify EPDM or fluorocarbon. Always confirm the hydraulic fluid type before specifying nitrile seals or sheet in hydraulic system maintenance.
How do I cut nitrile rubber sheet to size?
Thin nitrile sheet (up to 3mm) can be cut with sharp scissors or a Stanley knife. Sheet 3–10mm is best cut with a utility knife using a straight-edge guide — score deeply and snap, or cut through in multiple passes. For complex gasket profiles, use a punch set for circular holes, or have gaskets die-cut. Nitrile sheet above 12mm requires an angle grinder with a masonry blade, or a bandsaw. See our full rubber cutting guide for detailed technique.
Can nitrile rubber sheet be used outdoors in the UK?
Nitrile has moderate UV and ozone resistance — significantly better than SBR, but not as good as EPDM or neoprene. For short-term or partially sheltered outdoor use (workshop exteriors, covered loading areas), nitrile performs adequately. For fully exposed outdoor installations, specify EPDM for maximum weathering resistance. If both oil resistance and outdoor exposure are required, neoprene is the preferred compromise compound.
About the Author
Rubberco Flooring Experts — Our team of rubber flooring specialists has years of hands-on experience with industrial, commercial and domestic flooring solutions. All our guides are reviewed for technical accuracy against current UK standards.
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