
Cutting Industries are a leading manufacturer of custom nitrile washers for OEM manufacturers, maintenance teams and industrial applications throughout the UK and Ireland.
Nitrile rubber, also known as NBR, is one of the most widely used sealing materials where resistance to oils, fuels and grease is required.
Using CNC cutting and die cutting technology, we manufacture nitrile washers to your drawing, sample or specification in both prototype and production quantities.
Whether you require a small development batch or high volume production runs, we can supply precision cut nitrile washers with fast turnaround times.
What Are Nitrile Washers?
Nitrile washers are sealing components manufactured from NBR rubber.
The material is specifically designed to perform in environments where oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants are present.
Compared to general purpose rubber materials, nitrile offers significantly better resistance to petroleum based products while maintaining good compression and sealing performance.
Nitrile washers are commonly used in:
• Fuel systems
• Hydraulic equipment
• Pumps
• Valves
• Automotive components
• Agricultural machinery
• Industrial processing equipment
• Fluid transfer systems
Nitrile Washer Material Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature Range | -30°C to +100°C |
| Oil Resistance | Excellent |
| Fuel Resistance | Excellent |
| Water Resistance | Good |
| UV Resistance | Moderate |
| Hardness Range | 40 to 90 Shore A |
Why Choose Nitrile Washers?
Nitrile remains one of the most popular sealing materials because it combines excellent oil resistance with cost effective manufacturing.
Benefits include:
• Excellent resistance to oils and fuels
• Good compression set characteristics
• Strong mechanical properties
• Reliable sealing performance
• Wide hardness range available
• Suitable for industrial environments
• Cost effective compared to premium materials
For applications involving aggressive chemicals or extreme temperatures, our Viton washer solutions may provide a better option.
Available Nitrile Grades
Nitrile washers can be manufactured in a range of material grades and hardness levels to suit different sealing applications.
Common options include:
• 40 Shore A for softer sealing applications
• 60 Shore A for increased flexibility
• 70 Shore A as the most common industrial grade
• 80 Shore A for improved durability
• 90 Shore A for high load applications
Material selection depends on operating pressure, compression requirements, chemical exposure and service conditions.
If you are unsure which material is best for your application, see our guide:
What Material Should You Use for a Custom Rubber Gasket?
Custom Manufacturing Options
We manufacture nitrile washers to suit your exact application requirements.
Available options include:
• Internal and external diameter washers
• Large diameter washers
• Thin gauge sealing washers
• Heavy duty industrial washers
• Self adhesive nitrile washers
• Prototype quantities
• High volume production runs
Components can be supplied from customer drawings, CAD files or physical samples.
Can Nitrile Washers Be Self Adhesive?
Yes. Nitrile washers can be supplied with pressure sensitive adhesive backing to simplify installation and assembly.
Self adhesive nitrile washers are commonly used where accurate positioning is required before final assembly.
For more information, see our guides on self adhesive gaskets and kiss cutting.
Industries and Applications

Nitrile washers are used across a wide range of industries where reliable sealing performance and resistance to oils, fuels and lubricants are required.
We manufacture custom nitrile washers for OEM manufacturers, engineering companies, fuel handling businesses and maintenance teams throughout the UK and Ireland.
| Industry | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| Fuel Distribution | Pumps, storage tanks, dispensing systems |
| Automotive | Fuel systems, engine sealing, fluid reservoirs |
| Agriculture | Hydraulic systems, machinery maintenance |
| Manufacturing | Pumps, valves, compressors |
| Engineering | Fluid handling equipment and sealing systems |
Automotive
Nitrile washers are widely used in automotive systems where exposure to oils, lubricants and fuels is common.
Applications include:
• Fuel system sealing
• Engine components
• Hydraulic systems
• Fluid reservoirs
• Maintenance and repair parts
Industrial Manufacturing
Many industrial systems rely on nitrile washers to provide dependable sealing performance in equipment exposed to oils and hydraulic fluids.
Applications include:
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Valves
• Process equipment
• Fluid handling systems
Agriculture
Agricultural machinery regularly operates in harsh environments where resistance to oils and fuels is essential.
Common applications include:
• Hydraulic systems
• Fuel systems
• Machinery maintenance
• Replacement sealing components
Nitrile Washers for Fluid Handling Equipment
Nitrile rubber is one of the most widely used sealing materials throughout the fuel industry due to its excellent resistance to petrol, diesel, lubricants and petroleum based products.
Typical applications include:
• Fuel tanker equipment
• Fuel transfer systems
• Fuel pumps
• Storage tanks
• Dispensing equipment
• Pipe flange sealing
• Tank inspection covers
For many fuel handling applications, nitrile provides an excellent balance between sealing performance, durability and cost.
If your application involves more aggressive chemicals or elevated temperatures, our Custom Viton Washers may be more suitable.
Nitrile vs EPDM Washers
Choosing the correct washer material is critical for long term sealing performance.
Nitrile is typically selected where oils, fuels and lubricants are present.
EPDM is generally preferred for:
• Water systems
• Outdoor environments
• UV exposure
• Weather resistant applications
If your application involves petroleum based products, nitrile is usually the preferred material.
For a detailed comparison, read our guide: EPDM vs Nitrile Gasket Guide
Nitrile vs Other Washer Materials
| Material | Oil Resistance | Fuel Resistance | Weather Resistance | Temperature Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| EPDM | Poor | Poor | Excellent | Good |
| Silicone | Fair | Fair | Excellent | Excellent |
| Viton | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
For applications involving oils and fuels, nitrile is often the most cost effective option. Where extreme temperatures or aggressive chemicals are present, silicone or Viton may be more suitable.
CNC Cut Nitrile Washers
Our CNC cutting equipment allows us to manufacture nitrile washers with excellent dimensional accuracy and repeatability.
Benefits include:
• Fast prototyping
• Consistent production quality
• Minimal tooling costs for low volume orders
• Efficient manufacture of complex washer profiles
• Rapid design revisions
For larger production quantities, die cutting may provide the most economical manufacturing solution.
Typical Tolerances
Using CNC knife cutting and die cutting technology, Cutting Industries can typically achieve tolerances of approximately ±0.5mm, with tighter tolerances possible depending on material type, thickness and component geometry.
Our team can advise on achievable tolerances during the quotation process.
High Volume Nitrile Washer Manufacturing

Manufacturing Capabilities
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| Prototype Quantities | Available |
| Production Runs | Available |
| Manufacturing Methods | CNC Cutting & Die Cutting |
| Material Thicknesses | Various Grades Available |
| Self Adhesive Options | Available |
| Supply Format | Individual Parts or Kits |
| Location | Lisburn, Northern Ireland |
| Service Area | UK & Ireland |
Cutting Industries manufactures nitrile washers in both prototype and production quantities.
Whether you require hundreds of components or ongoing production runs, our CNC cutting and die cutting capabilities allow us to deliver consistent quality across every batch.
We regularly support:
• OEM manufacturers
• Engineering companies
• Fuel distributors
• Agricultural equipment manufacturers
• Industrial maintenance teams
Our manufacturing processes are designed to provide repeatability, fast turnaround times and scalable production as demand grows.
Need Help Selecting the Right Material?
Our team can recommend the most suitable washer material based on your operating environment, sealing requirements and production volumes.
Contact us to discuss your application.
Quality Assurance and Traceability
For customers operating in regulated or quality critical industries, we can provide supporting documentation where required.
Cutting Industries operates under:
• ISO 9001:2015
• ISO 13485:2016
Depending on project requirements we can also provide:
• Material certification
• Certificates of Conformity
• First Article Inspection reports
• Production documentation
This helps provide confidence in applications across medical, engineering, defence and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Typical Lead Times
Prototype nitrile washers can often be produced within 24 to 48 hours, subject to material availability and production schedules.
For larger production runs, lead times are agreed at quotation stage and can be scaled to meet ongoing manufacturing requirements.
Why Work With Cutting Industries?
Based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Cutting Industries supplies precision cut sealing components to customers throughout the UK and Ireland.
Customers choose us because we offer:
• Fast quotation turnaround
• Prototype and production capability
• CNC and die cutting expertise
• ISO 9001 certified manufacturing
• ISO 13485 certified medical manufacturing
• Short lead times
• Technical material guidance
• Flexible order quantities
Frequently Asked Questions
Are nitrile washers oil resistant?
Yes. Nitrile rubber offers excellent resistance to oils, lubricants and many petroleum based products, making it one of the most widely used industrial sealing materials.
Are nitrile washers fuel resistant?
Yes. Nitrile is commonly used in fuel systems and fuel handling equipment due to its resistance to petrol, diesel and many hydrocarbon based fluids.
What are nitrile washers used for?
Nitrile washers are commonly used in:
• Fuel systems
• Hydraulic equipment
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Agricultural machinery
• Automotive components
• Industrial process equipment
Are nitrile washers waterproof?
Yes. Nitrile washers can be used in many water sealing applications. However, where water, weathering and UV resistance are the primary requirements, EPDM may be a better choice.
Internal Link:
EPDM vs Nitrile Gasket Guide
What is the difference between nitrile and Viton washers?
Nitrile offers excellent oil and fuel resistance at a competitive cost.
Viton generally provides superior chemical resistance and higher temperature performance.
Internal Link:
Custom Viton Washers
What temperature can nitrile washers withstand?
Standard nitrile rubber typically operates between approximately -30°C and +100°C, depending on grade and application requirements.
For higher temperature environments, silicone or Viton materials may be more suitable.
Can you manufacture custom nitrile washers?
Yes. We manufacture custom nitrile washers from customer drawings, CAD files or physical samples.
Components can be produced in prototype quantities or large volume production runs.
| If Your Application Requires | Recommended Material |
|---|---|
| Fuel Resistance | Nitrile |
| Oil Resistance | Nitrile |
| Outdoor Weathering | EPDM |
| High Temperature | Silicone |
| Aggressive Chemicals | Viton |
| General Purpose Sealing | Neoprene |
Not sure which material is right for your application? Our team can help you select the most suitable option based on your operating environment, sealing requirements and budget.
Key Takeaway
Nitrile washers are one of the most versatile sealing solutions available for industrial applications.
They offer excellent durability, reliable sealing performance and strong resistance to oils and lubricants, making them suitable for engineering, manufacturing, automotive and fluid handling environments.
Need Custom Nitrile Washers?
Whether you require prototype quantities, replacement sealing components or high volume production runs, Cutting Industries can manufacture nitrile washers to your exact specification.
We regularly supply OEM manufacturers, engineering companies, fuel handling businesses and industrial maintenance teams throughout the UK and Ireland.
Simply send us your drawing, CAD file or sample and our team will recommend the most suitable material and manufacturing method for your application.
Ready to discuss your project? Visit our Get In touch page to request a quotation or speak with our team.

