Nitrile Rubber UK — Oil-Resistant Matting for Garages, Workshops and Industry

Last updated: April 2026

Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, NBR) occupies a unique position in the rubber materials spectrum: it is by far the best-performing common elastomer for resistance to petroleum products, oils, and greases. If your application involves regular contact with engine oil, hydraulic fluid, diesel, petrol, or animal fats, nitrile rubber is the correct material specification — and any other rubber compound is likely to fail over time.

This guide covers nitrile rubber's chemistry, its key applications in UK garage, workshop, and industrial environments, and how to select the right grade for your needs.

What Makes Nitrile Rubber Oil-Resistant?

Nitrile rubber is a copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. The proportion of acrylonitrile in the copolymer — typically 18–50% by weight — determines the compound's oil resistance and related properties:

• Higher ACN content: Better oil resistance, higher density, reduced gas permeability. But also: stiffer (less flexible), particularly at low temperatures.
• Lower ACN content: More flexible, better low-temperature performance, but reduced oil resistance.

Standard general-purpose nitrile rubber (NBR) typically contains 33–34% ACN — a balance of good oil resistance with acceptable flexibility. For specific applications requiring either maximum oil resistance or very low-temperature performance, specialised grades are available.

Why Other Rubbers Fail in Oil

Natural rubber, SBR, and EPDM are all vulnerable to petroleum-based oils because these oils are non-polar solvents that dissolve into the non-polar rubber matrix, causing the rubber to swell, soften, and eventually degrade structurally. The polar nitrile groups in NBR resist this solvent attack, explaining nitrile's superior oil resistance.

Nitrile Rubber Properties

Property	Value / Range
Tensile strength	10–25 MPa
Elongation at break	250–500%
Shore A hardness	40–90
Service temperature range	-40°C to +120°C
Oil/fuel resistance	Excellent (best of common rubbers)
UV/ozone resistance	Moderate (fair outdoors with protection)
Water resistance	Good
Abrasion resistance	Good to Excellent
Flame resistance	Fair (not self-extinguishing without additives)

Nitrile Rubber Floor Matting Applications

Vehicle Service and MOT Workshops

The classic application for nitrile rubber matting. Vehicle workshops accumulate engine oil, gearbox oil, brake fluid, and diesel. Standard SBR or EPDM mats will gradually swell and degrade under these conditions, losing their dimensional stability and anti-slip properties. Nitrile rubber mats maintain their performance despite regular oil contamination.

Recommended specification for vehicle workshops:

• Nitrile rubber drainage matting (open-grid) in bay areas where vehicles are worked on
• Solid nitrile rubber anti-fatigue matting at fixed workbench positions
• Minimum thickness 6mm; 9–12mm for heavier oil exposure and vehicle overhang areas

Engineering Machine Shops

CNC machining, turning, and grinding all use cutting oil or water-soluble coolant. Nitrile rubber matting at machine tool positions provides oil resistance, anti-fatigue benefit, and slip resistance in the presence of coolant. For high-temperature applications (cutting areas with significant heat generation), confirm the specific service temperature with the supplier.

Industrial Kitchens and Food Processing

Animal fats (lard, dripping, fish oil) in food processing environments attack standard rubber compounds significantly faster than mineral oils. Nitrile rubber provides good resistance to animal fats and is the recommended specification for butchery areas, fish processing, and fryer areas in commercial kitchens.

Garage Forecourts and Fuel Dispensing Areas

Petrol station forecourts are an extreme environment for any matting material. Constant exposure to petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel demands the highest ACN-content nitrile compounds. Purpose-designed fuel-resistant nitrile matting is available for forecourt use, typically rated to EN 13501 for fire performance as well as oil resistance.

Hydraulic System Maintenance

Hydraulic oil is an aggressive solvent for non-oil-resistant rubbers. Workshop areas where hydraulic systems are maintained — agricultural machinery, construction equipment, industrial hydraulics — require nitrile rubber matting to maintain performance.

Nitrile Sheet for Engineering Applications

Beyond flooring, nitrile sheet is widely used in UK engineering for:

• Gaskets and seals for oil systems
• Tank liners for oil storage
• Protective overlays on oil-exposed surfaces
• Cut-to-size anti-vibration pads in oily environments
• Diaphragms in pumps and valves handling petroleum products

UK Pricing for Nitrile Rubber Products

• Nitrile rubber sheet (3mm, 1m wide): £20–£35 per linear metre
• Nitrile rubber sheet (6mm, 1m wide): £35–£55 per linear metre
• Nitrile anti-fatigue matting (600 × 900mm): £40–£70 per mat
• Nitrile drainage matting: £18–£35 per m²

Note: nitrile rubber products carry a price premium over standard SBR or EPDM due to the higher cost of the raw polymer. This premium is justified only where genuine oil exposure makes it necessary. For oil-free environments, standard compounds are perfectly adequate and more cost-effective.

Browse our nitrile rubber products at rubberco.co.uk, including nitrile sheet by the metre, nitrile anti-fatigue matting, and nitrile drainage matting for workshops and industrial environments.

Shop Related Rubber Flooring & Matting

• Anti-Fatigue Mats
• Anti-Slip Mats
• Gym Mats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best rubber flooring for a garage?

For garages, heavy-duty rubber tiles (8–10mm) or rubber rolls provide excellent durability, oil resistance, and comfort underfoot. Coin or diamond-pattern surfaces offer good grip for workshops.

Can rubber flooring withstand car tyres?

Yes – high-quality rubber garage tiles are designed to support vehicle loads. Ensure tiles are at least 6mm thick for car use. Thicker tiles (10mm+) are recommended for heavier vehicles.

Is rubber flooring easy to install in a garage?

Rubber interlocking tiles are one of the easiest garage flooring options to install. They require a clean, dry concrete surface and no adhesive. Most garages can be tiled in a few hours.

How do I clean rubber garage flooring?

Sweep regularly to remove grit and debris. For oil spills, apply an absorbent compound first then clean with a degreaser. Hose down the entire floor periodically for a thorough clean.

Does rubber garage flooring insulate against the cold?

Rubber has some thermal insulation properties and is warmer underfoot than bare concrete, making workshops and home gyms more comfortable. For maximum insulation, choose thicker rubber (15–20mm).