Rubber Compound Comparison: SBR vs EPDM vs Nitrile vs Neoprene vs Natural Rubber
Rubber Compound Comparison Guide: SBR vs EPDM vs Nitrile vs Neoprene vs Natural Rubber
Choosing the wrong rubber compound is one of the most common and costly mistakes in flooring specification. This guide gives you the technical facts you need to specify the right compound for every application — from warehouse floors to commercial kitchens, playgrounds to electrical switchrooms.
Written for architects, facilities managers, buyers, and specifiers. Updated May 2026.
Quick Comparison Table
| Property | SBR | EPDM | Nitrile (NBR) | Neoprene (CR) | Natural Rubber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price range (m²) | £8–£35 | £22–£55 | £30–£70 | £40–£90 | £50–£120 |
| UV resistance | Poor ❌ | Excellent ✅ | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Poor ❌ |
| Oil/chemical resistance | Poor ❌ | Poor ❌ | Excellent ✅ | Good ✅ | Poor ❌ |
| Ozone resistance | Poor ❌ | Excellent ✅ | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Poor ❌ |
| Flame retardance | Fair ⚠️ | Fair ⚠️ | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Poor ❌ |
| Low temperature performance | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Good ✅ | Fair ⚠️ | Excellent ✅ |
| High temperature performance | Fair (–40°C to +80°C) | Excellent (–50°C to +150°C) | Good (–40°C to +120°C) | Good (–40°C to +120°C) | Fair (–60°C to +80°C) |
| Physical properties (tensile/tear) | Good ✅ | Good ✅ | Good ✅ | Good ✅ | Excellent ✅ |
| Water resistance | Good ✅ | Excellent ✅ | Excellent ✅ | Good ✅ | Fair ⚠️ |
| Abrasion resistance | Good ✅ | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Good ✅ | Excellent ✅ |
| Electrical insulation | Fair ⚠️ | Good ✅ | Anti-static ⚠️ | Anti-static ⚠️ | Good ✅ |
| Cost | Lowest ✅ | Low-Medium ✅ | Medium | Medium-High | Highest |
| Primary use | General purpose, indoor | Outdoor, UV-exposed | Oils, fuels, chemicals | Fire risk, marine | High-performance sport/industrial |
SBR — Styrene-Butadiene Rubber
SBR is the workhorse of the rubber flooring industry. It is a synthetic rubber developed as a replacement for natural rubber during WWII and now accounts for the majority of rubber flooring sold in the UK. SBR is produced partly from recycled tyres, making it an environmentally efficient choice.
SBR Technical Properties
- Hardness: 40–80 Shore A
- Tensile strength: 10–25 MPa
- Operating temperature: –40°C to +80°C
- Elongation at break: 300–600%
- Density: 1.1–1.5 g/cm³ (depending on filler loading)
Where SBR Excels
- General purpose indoor flooring (workshops, corridors, warehouses)
- Gym flooring and sports surfaces (indoor, not UV-exposed)
- Entrance matting and anti-fatigue matting
- Acoustic underlays and impact sound insulation
- Equestrian stable mats (heavy duty grades)
Where SBR Fails
- Outdoor or UV-exposed areas — will crack and harden over time
- Areas exposed to oils, solvents, or fuels — will swell and degrade
- High-temperature environments above 80°C
Common SBR Applications
Workshop floors, garage floors, school corridors, leisure centre changing rooms, equestrian stables, warehouse walkways, factory floors, gym weight areas (indoor).
EPDM — Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
EPDM is the go-to outdoor rubber compound. Its resistance to UV, ozone, and extreme temperatures makes it the preferred specification for external applications across the UK — from playground safety surfaces to garden decking and car park pathways.
EPDM Technical Properties
- Hardness: 40–85 Shore A
- Tensile strength: 7–20 MPa
- Operating temperature: –50°C to +150°C
- UV resistance: Excellent — does not crack, harden or discolour
- Elongation at break: 200–600%
- Water absorption: Very low
Where EPDM Excels
- Outdoor playground surfaces (BS EN 1177 compliant grades)
- External decking tiles and pathway surfaces
- Roof terraces and balconies
- External ramps and access routes
- Car park walkways and pedestrian areas
- Garden and equestrian outdoor surfaces
Where EPDM Fails
- Oil and fuel resistance — poor performance in petroleum environments
- Higher cost than SBR for indoor-only applications
- Halogenated solvents will degrade EPDM
Common EPDM Applications
School playgrounds, public parks, outdoor gyms, car park ramp surfaces, terrace decking, equestrian arenas, garden pathways, external fire escape landings.
Nitrile / NBR — Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber
Nitrile rubber is the specification choice wherever oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids, or chemical exposure is a risk. Commercial kitchens, engineering workshops, petrol station forecourts, and vehicle workshops all require NBR-grade flooring. It is significantly more expensive than SBR but irreplaceable in oil-risk environments.
Nitrile Technical Properties
- Hardness: 40–90 Shore A
- Tensile strength: 10–24 MPa
- Operating temperature: –40°C to +120°C
- Oil resistance: Excellent — resists aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils, and fuels
- Acrylonitrile content: Low (18%) = better cold resistance; High (45%) = better oil resistance
Where Nitrile Excels
- Commercial kitchens and food processing areas
- Vehicle service areas, garages, and MOT bays
- Engineering workshops with cutting oils
- Petrol station forecourts
- Industrial areas with hydraulic equipment
- Anti-fatigue matting in industrial and kitchen environments
Where Nitrile Fails
- Poor UV and ozone resistance — not suitable for outdoor use without protection
- Poor flame resistance without additives
- Aromatic and halogenated solvents will attack NBR
Specifying Note: Acrylonitrile Content
When specifying NBR, the acrylonitrile (ACN) content matters. Higher ACN (33–45%) gives better oil resistance but poorer low-temperature flexibility. Lower ACN (18–25%) is better for low-temperature applications. Standard commercial kitchen grades are typically 28–33% ACN.
Neoprene / CR — Polychloroprene
Neoprene (DuPont's trade name for polychloroprene) sits at the premium end of general-purpose rubber compounds. Its inherent flame retardance, good chemical resistance, and stability over a wide temperature range make it the preferred compound for rail, marine, and fire-risk environments. It bridges the gap between the low cost of SBR and the specialist resistance properties of Nitrile.
Neoprene Technical Properties
- Hardness: 30–95 Shore A
- Tensile strength: 15–25 MPa
- Operating temperature: –40°C to +120°C
- Flame retardance: Self-extinguishing (inherent, no additives required)
- Oil resistance: Moderate — better than SBR/EPDM, not as good as Nitrile
- Ozone resistance: Good
Where Neoprene Excels
- Rail vehicle and marine interiors (fire performance requirements)
- Defence and aerospace applications
- Areas with both oil exposure and fire risk (e.g., engine rooms)
- Refrigeration plant areas (wide temperature range)
- Electrical cable protection and conduit
Where Neoprene Fails
- Strong oxidising acids will degrade CR
- Aromatic and halogenated solvents attack Neoprene
- Higher cost than SBR and EPDM makes it overkill for general-purpose applications
Natural Rubber (NR)
Natural rubber (polyisoprene) is tapped from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Despite being the oldest rubber compound, it retains superior physical properties that synthetic rubbers still struggle to match — particularly tensile strength, tear resistance, and dynamic performance under repeated stress. Natural rubber flooring is specified where maximum grip, resilience, and longevity are paramount.
Natural Rubber Technical Properties
- Hardness: 30–85 Shore A
- Tensile strength: Up to 30 MPa (highest of all rubber compounds)
- Operating temperature: –60°C to +80°C
- Abrasion resistance: Excellent
- Dynamic properties: Superior resilience and energy return
- Environmental notes: Renewable, biodegradable — but supply chain transparency important
Where Natural Rubber Excels
- High-performance sports flooring (sprung floors, athletics tracks)
- Hospital and healthcare flooring (homogeneous grades — Nora, Artigo)
- Precision electrical insulation matting
- High-traffic commercial areas requiring extreme abrasion resistance
- Premium entrance matting for luxury commercial environments
Where Natural Rubber Fails
- Outdoor UV exposure — degrades and cracks without antiozonant additives
- Oil environments — poor oil and fuel resistance
- Price — typically 3–5× the cost of SBR
- Latex allergy considerations in healthcare environments
How to Select the Right Compound
Use This Decision Framework
- Is it outdoors or UV-exposed? → EPDM
- Is there oil, fuel, or chemical risk? → Nitrile (NBR)
- Is fire performance a statutory requirement? → Neoprene (CR)
- Do you need maximum physical performance? → Natural Rubber
- Is it a standard indoor application? → SBR (best value)
Common Specification Scenarios
| Application | Recommended Compound | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| School playground safety matting | EPDM | Outdoor UV exposure, BS EN 1177 compliance |
| Commercial kitchen anti-fatigue mat | Nitrile (NBR) | Oil and grease resistance, hygiene |
| Indoor gym floor | SBR | Best value, good physical properties, no UV exposure |
| Stable mats | SBR (heavy duty) | Cost-effective, good abrasion, no oil risk |
| Garden decking surface | EPDM | UV and ozone stable, weatherproof |
| Vehicle workshop floor | Nitrile (NBR) | Oil and fuel resistant |
| Rail carriage interior | Neoprene (CR) | EN 45545 fire performance requirements |
| Electrical switchroom floor | Natural Rubber or SBR (tested grade) | BS EN 61111 electrical insulation |
| Hospital corridor | Natural Rubber (homogeneous) | Abrasion resistance, infection control compliance |
| Acoustic underlay (flats) | SBR or recycled rubber | Cost-effective, good impact sound reduction |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common rubber flooring compound in the UK?
SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) is by far the most widely specified rubber flooring compound in the UK, used for general-purpose indoor applications including workshops, gyms, corridors, and stable matting. It offers the best cost-to-performance ratio for non-specialist environments.
What rubber is used for outdoor playgrounds?
EPDM is the preferred compound for outdoor playground surfacing in the UK. EPDM resists UV, ozone, and extremes of temperature (-50°C to +150°C), meaning it will not crack, harden, or degrade over the lifespan of a playground installation. EPDM playground surfaces must also comply with BS EN 1177 for critical fall height certification.
What rubber flooring is oil resistant?
Nitrile (NBR) rubber is the correct specification for oil-resistant flooring. It is used in commercial kitchens, vehicle workshops, engineering facilities, and any environment where mineral oils, hydraulic fluids, or fuels may contaminate the floor surface. Standard SBR and EPDM will swell and degrade if exposed to oils.
Can I use SBR rubber outdoors?
No. SBR has poor UV and ozone resistance and will crack, harden, and break down if used in outdoor applications. Always specify EPDM for any rubber flooring exposed to sunlight or external weathering.
What is the fire rating of rubber flooring?
Fire performance of rubber flooring varies by compound and product. Neoprene (CR) is inherently self-extinguishing. EPDM and SBR require flame-retardant additives to achieve Cfl or Bfl ratings under EN 13501-1. Always request a fire classification certificate for applications where building regulations specify fire performance — particularly public buildings, schools, and residential above ground floor.
Where can I get rubber flooring samples in the UK?
Rubberco offers free samples across all compounds — SBR, EPDM, Nitrile, Neoprene, and Natural Rubber. Request your sample here.
Need help specifying the right rubber compound? Our technical team has 60+ years of compound knowledge. Call us or request a specification consultation.
