Natural vs Synthetic Rubber: What's the Difference?
What's the difference between natural and synthetic rubber? See the comparison of abrasion resistance, tensile strength, chemical resistance and cost.
About this article
This article was prepared by the technical team at Hamta Polymer Zayandeh Rood Industries. Contact our specialists for application guidance and the right option for your industrial need.
What's the difference between natural and synthetic rubber? See the comparison of abrasion resistance, tensile strength, chemical resistance and cost.
# Natural vs Synthetic Rubber: What's the Difference?
Natural rubber (NR) is tapped from rubber tree sap and offers the highest tensile and elastic strength of any elastomer — but it has poor resistance to oil, solvents, and ozone. Synthetic rubbers (like NBR, EPDM, and SBR) are engineered in the lab for specific industrial needs, each one optimized for a particular property — oil resistance, chemical resistance, and so on. Choosing between the two groups comes down directly to your part's working conditions.
This article is part of our Complete Guide to Rubber Seals; if you're not familiar with the basic O-ring types, start there first.
Table of Contents
- What is natural rubber and what are its properties?
- What is synthetic rubber, and why so many types?
- Comparison chart: natural vs synthetic rubber
- Where is natural rubber the better choice?
- Where is synthetic rubber the better choice?
- FAQ
What Is Natural Rubber and What Are Its Properties?
Natural rubber (NR) comes from polymerizing the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Its regular molecular structure gives it the highest tensile strength, elasticity, and fatigue resistance of any elastomer. That's why it delivers unmatched performance in parts that need repeated stretching and rebound — belts and anti-vibration bushings, for example. Its main weakness is poor resistance to oil, petroleum solvents, ozone, and sunlight.
What Is Synthetic Rubber, and Why So Many Types?
Synthetic rubbers are lab-synthesized from petroleum derivatives, and unlike natural rubber — which is a single material with fixed properties — they span a wide range of materials, each engineered for a specific purpose: NBR for oil resistance, EPDM for water and ozone resistance, FKM for chemical resistance and high heat. This variety means you can pick a dedicated synthetic elastomer for almost any industrial working condition.
Comparison Chart: Natural vs Synthetic Rubber
| Property | Natural Rubber (NR) | Synthetic Rubber (general) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile and elastic strength | Excellent | Fair to good (depends on type) |
| Abrasion resistance | Excellent | Good to excellent (depends on type) |
| Resistance to oil and fuel | Poor | Poor to excellent (depends on type) |
| Resistance to ozone and UV | Poor | Poor to excellent (depends on type) |
| Batch-to-batch consistency | Depends on natural source | High and industrially controllable |
| Relative cost | Medium | Low to high (depends on type) |
Where Is Natural Rubber the Better Choice?
In parts where the main requirement is high tensile strength and repeated rebound without mechanical fatigue — such as power transmission belts, automotive anti-vibration bushings, and some heavy-duty industrial tires — natural rubber still technically outperforms most synthetic options, as long as it's not exposed to oil, solvents, or direct sunlight.
Where Is Synthetic Rubber the Better Choice?
In nearly all industrial applications involving oil, fuel, chemicals, or harsh weather (ozone, UV), synthetic rubber is the right call. For picking the exact synthetic elastomer type based on fluid or environment, our guides on NBR vs EPDM differences and chemical resistance of rubbers offer a more complete walkthrough.
FAQ
Is natural rubber more durable than synthetic?
In terms of tensile strength and mechanical fatigue, yes — but if the part is exposed to oil, solvents, or sunlight, natural rubber degrades far faster than the right synthetic type (like NBR or EPDM).
Why are industrial belts still made from natural rubber?
Because of its high tensile strength and rebound performance under repeated motion — a synthetic replacement with the same performance level and comparable cost is still hard to find.
Is natural rubber more expensive than synthetic?
It depends which synthetic elastomer you're comparing it to; some (like SBR) are cheaper, while others (like FKM) are more expensive than natural rubber.
Does natural rubber come in a food-grade variant?
Rarely, and with real limitations; for food-grade and sanitary applications, silicone or FDA-certified EPDM are typically used instead — see our guide on FDA food-grade rubber parts.
Which is more tear-resistant?
Natural rubber, thanks to its regular molecular structure, generally has higher tear resistance than most common synthetic elastomers.
Sources & References
This guide draws on the industrial standards ASTM D2000, ASTM D412 (elastomer tensile testing method), and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions' technical guidance comparing natural and synthetic elastomers.
Summary
If your project's top priority is high tensile and abrasion resistance in an environment free of oil and direct sunlight, natural rubber is a solid choice. But for the vast majority of today's industrial applications, synthetic elastomers are the safer, more common option thanks to their range and ability to be tailored to your exact need. If you're not sure which material fits your project, our technical team offers a free consultation and price quote.
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