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A variety of current and developmental automotive fluids were evaluated to determine their effects on Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR), and low temperature HNBR (LT-HNBR) compounds to assist in predicting their performance in automotive sealing applications. This study provides the materials and design engineer with a concise overview of elastomer performance in these fluids and demonstrates the unique attributes of HNBR elastomers. This new family of polymers provides the benchmark for enhanced performance in automotive seals by extending the functional operating range and sealing capabilities while still offering a price/performance advantage over high priced specialty elastomers.

The Montreal Protocol and subsequent legislation to control the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) have mandated the replacement of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. This has resulted in the replacement of R-12 refrigerant with R-134a refrigerant. This change is currently being implemented in automotive air conditioning systems. Significant pressures are accelerating me phaseout of the CFC refrigerants. Work with a group of hydrogenated nitrile rubber elastomers, some of which utilize novel polymerization technology and controlled molecular weight distribution, has resulted in some unique materials which are well suited for these types of applications. These hydrogenated polymers were subsequently compounded to yield a new generation of HNBR materials which provide an excellent balance of properties for R-134a refrigerant service.