Open Cell NBR Foam for Oil Sealing

Open Cell NBR Foam for Oil-Resistant Sealing, Cushioning and NVH

Topsun open cell NBR foam is a soft and flexible nitrile-based foam material for cushioning, vibration damping, acoustic absorption, gap filling and selected oil-resistant gasket and sealing components. Its compressible cellular structure allows the foam to conform to irregular surfaces and assemblies where low compression force is required.

NBR foam is commonly selected for industrial and automotive applications where flexibility and resistance to oil, fuel and selected chemicals are important. Open-cell construction adds softness and compressibility, making the material particularly useful for NVH components, cushioning pads, anti-rattle parts, acoustic applications and low-pressure gasket interfaces.

Topsun's current product information lists density from 50–90 kg/m³, widths from 1000–1800 mm and thicknesses mainly from 3–50 mm, while the product header lists thicknesses from 1–50 mm. One-side or double-side adhesive backing can also be evaluated according to the finished application.

Open Cell NBR Foam Key Features

• Soft compression: suitable for assemblies requiring low compression force and flexible contact.

• Surface conformability: the foam can follow irregular gaps, curves and uneven mating surfaces.

• Oil and fuel resistance: existing product information lists resistance to acid, fuel and oil.

• Acoustic absorption: open-cell construction can support selected sound-absorption and NVH applications.

• Vibration damping: flexible foam can help reduce direct contact and vibration transmission between components.

• Cushioning: suitable for pads, spacers, protective interfaces and anti-rattle components.

• Custom thickness: different thicknesses can be selected according to gap, compression and cushioning requirements.

• Adhesive options: one-side or double-side adhesive backing can be provided for suitable applications.

• Custom converting: suitable foam can be cut, sliced, laminated and die-cut according to drawings.

Open Cell NBR Foam Product Information

Referenced NBR Foam Technical Data

The following table retains the existing technical data provided with this NBR foam product family. Because the original page also contains closed-cell descriptions, confirm that the selected open-cell production grade corresponds to the required specification before ordering.

What Is Open Cell NBR Foam?

Open cell NBR foam is a flexible nitrile-based cellular material with interconnected cells. This structure allows the foam to compress easily and conform to uneven or irregular contact surfaces.

Compared with closed-cell NBR foam, open-cell material is generally softer and more suitable for acoustic absorption, cushioning, low-compression gap filling and anti-rattle applications.

The nitrile component provides useful resistance to oil, fuel and selected chemicals, making NBR foam suitable for automotive, machinery and industrial applications where both compressibility and chemical resistance are important.

Because open-cell foam is permeable compared with closed-cell foam, it should not automatically be selected as the primary barrier against liquid oil, water or water vapor.

Open Cell NBR Foam for Oil-Resistant Gasket Components

NBR is widely selected for components exposed to oils and fuels. In open-cell form, the material can be used for suitable gasket interfaces, cushioning seals and compressible components where oil resistance is required but the foam itself is not expected to provide the primary liquid barrier.

This makes open-cell NBR useful around machinery housings, automotive assemblies and equipment where the foam provides compression, cushioning or surface contact while surrounding system components provide the primary fluid containment.

For direct or continuous oil exposure, provide the oil type, exposure temperature, contact duration and sealing requirement so the appropriate NBR foam structure can be evaluated.

Open Cell NBR Foam for Automotive NVH

Open-cell NBR foam can be used in selected automotive noise, vibration and harshness applications where a soft compressible material is required between vehicle components.

Typical functions include cushioning between trim components, anti-rattle interfaces, vibration damping around equipment and sound-absorbing components in suitable interior or mechanical locations.

Thickness, density and compression should be selected according to the available installation space, vibration source and required acoustic performance.

Open Cell NBR Foam for Sound Absorption

The interconnected cell structure of open-cell foam allows airborne sound to enter the material. Part of the acoustic energy can then be dissipated within the internal foam structure.

Acoustic performance depends on foam thickness, density, cell structure, mounting method, backing surface and the frequency range of the noise.

Open-cell NBR foam can therefore be considered for selected automotive acoustic components, equipment enclosures, machinery noise-control parts and HVAC acoustic applications.

Open Cell NBR Foam for Cushioning and Gap Filling

Soft open-cell foam is useful where the mating surfaces are uneven or where a rigid gasket would require too much closure force.

The foam can compress into irregular gaps and provide cushioning between panels, housings and equipment components. This can help reduce direct contact and rattling in suitable assemblies.

Required thickness should be selected according to both the minimum and maximum assembled gap and the intended compression of the finished part.

Open Cell NBR Foam vs. Closed Cell NBR Foam

Typical Open Cell NBR Foam Applications

Open Cell NBR Foam Sheets, Strips and Die-Cut Parts

Topsun can supply NBR foam as raw sheets or convert suitable material into application-specific components.

How to Select Open Cell NBR Foam

• Application: acoustic absorption, NVH, cushioning, gap filling, gasket interface or vibration control.

• Density: specify required density or compression characteristics where known.

• Thickness: select according to available space, gap size and intended compression.

• Oil exposure: provide the oil or fuel type, exposure time and operating temperature where relevant.

• Acoustic requirement: provide the noise source and frequency range where available.

• Compression requirement: provide minimum and maximum gap dimensions and available closure force.

• Adhesive backing: specify plain foam, one-side adhesive or double-side adhesive.

• Finished format: sheet, strip, pad or custom die-cut component.

• Finished dimensions: provide drawings or component dimensions where available.

• Estimated quantity: provide sample, trial and production quantities where available.

Topsun Foam Processing Capabilities

Topsun supplies foam materials together with custom converting services for automotive, equipment, HVAC, construction and industrial buyers.

1. Cutting: foam sheets and rolls can be cut according to customer dimensions.

2. Slicing: foam materials can be sliced to the required thickness.

3. Lamination: hot-melt film lamination, flame lamination and pressure-sensitive adhesive lamination are available.

4. Laser Cutting: suitable custom foam shapes can be processed according to digital drawings.

5. Die Cutting: custom gaskets, pads, strips and repeatable foam components can be produced according to drawings.

6. Compression Molding: three-dimensional molded foam and foam composite components can be manufactured for suitable applications.

7. Engraving: suitable for tool-box inserts, packaging inserts and custom foam components.

8. Silk-Screen Printing: logos and patterns can be printed on suitable foam surfaces.

9. Adhesive Backing: adhesive and release liner can be applied to suitable foam materials for strips, pads and custom converted parts.

Other Foam Materials Available from Topsun

Topsun supplies NBR/PVC foam, NBR foam, EVA foam, PE foam, XPE foam, IXPE foam, CR foam, EPDM foam, neoprene foam, SBR foam and micro-cell soft PVC foam in sheet, roll and custom converted forms.

About Topsun Foam

Topsun supplies foam materials and customized foam components for automotive, HVAC, construction, equipment and industrial applications. Customers can provide density, thickness, drawings, compression requirements and application information for product evaluation.

Our facility is located in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, with convenient access to Shanghai Port for international shipments.

Open Cell NBR Foam FAQ

What is open cell NBR foam?

Open cell NBR foam is a soft and compressible nitrile-based foam with interconnected cells. It is used for cushioning, acoustic absorption, vibration damping, gap filling and selected gasket applications.

What is open cell NBR foam used for?

Typical applications include automotive NVH parts, machinery cushioning, acoustic components, anti-rattle pads, equipment interfaces, low-compression gaskets and custom foam parts.

Is open cell NBR foam resistant to oil?

Existing product information lists resistance to acid, fuel and oil. Compatibility should be evaluated according to the specific fluid, concentration, exposure time, temperature and selected foam grade.

Can open cell NBR foam be used as an oil seal?

It can be used in suitable oil-resistant gasket or cushioning interfaces, but open-cell foam should not automatically be treated as the primary barrier against liquid oil. For critical fluid sealing, the complete joint design and foam structure should be evaluated.

Why is open cell NBR foam used for sound absorption?

Its interconnected cells allow airborne sound to enter the foam structure. Acoustic energy can then be dissipated within the material. Performance depends on thickness, density, installation and sound frequency.

Is open cell NBR foam suitable for automotive NVH?

Yes. Open-cell NBR foam can be considered for selected automotive sound absorption, vibration damping, anti-rattle and cushioning components where its material properties match the application.

What density is available?

The current product information lists density from 50–90 kg/m³. Confirm the available density and corresponding technical specification for the selected production grade.

What thicknesses are available?

The current product header lists thicknesses from 1–50 mm, while the existing body information lists 3–50 mm as the main range. Confirm the required thickness before ordering.

What is the compression deflection of the referenced grade?

The existing technical table lists compression deflection of ≤5.0 kPa according to ASTM D 1056, with a recorded test result of 2.9 kPa. Confirm that this data applies to the selected open-cell production grade.

What is the difference between open cell and closed cell NBR foam?

Open-cell NBR foam is generally softer and better suited to acoustic absorption, cushioning and low-compression gaps. Closed-cell NBR foam is generally preferred for environmental sealing, moisture resistance and thermal insulation.

Can adhesive backing be added?

Yes. Existing product information includes one-side and double-side adhesive options. The substrate and service conditions should be provided when selecting an adhesive-backed construction.

Can Topsun die-cut open cell NBR foam?

Yes. Topsun provides cutting and die-cutting capabilities for suitable foam materials. Custom strips, pads, gaskets and other component shapes can be evaluated according to drawings.

What information should I provide for a quotation?

Please provide the application, density if known, thickness, width and length, gap dimensions, compression requirement, oil or chemical exposure, acoustic requirement, adhesive option, finished dimensions and estimated quantity.

How can I request an open cell NBR foam sample?

Send your requirements to july@topsunfoam.com, including density if known, thickness, dimensions, application and estimated quantity for evaluation.