Oil resistance and low-temperature characteristics of plasticized nitrile butadiene rubber compounds

The mechanical properties and oil resistance of nitrile butadiene rubber as an automotive material are investigated under low-temperature conditions. We discuss the effects of various plasticizers, such as dioctyl adipate, adipic acid ester, polyether ester, and adipic acid polyester. The mechanical properties after thermal oxidation aging, as well as oil resistance and low-temperature characteristics of the compounds, are measured using a moving die rheometer, universal testing machine, differential scanning calorimeter, low-temperature retraction tester, and gehman torsional stiffness tester. We focus on how the oil resistance and low-temperature characteristics are affected by the plasticizer type and plasticizer content. The results demonstrate that nitrile butadiene rubber compounds are affected by the low molecular weight and viscosity of the plasticizer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47851.