What Are Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber Seals Used For?

Hydrogenated nitrile rubber seals are an incredibly worthwhile choice for a diverse range of applications. Their resistance to oil, chemicals and high temperatures makes them highly suitable for dependable seals that will stand the test of time. In this TRP Polymer Solutions blog, we will cover key questions about these seals, including ‘what is hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber?’, ‘what are hydrogenated nitrile rubber seals used for?’ and more essential information.

What is hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber?

Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) is a synthetic rubber copolymer used in the manufacturing of rubber seals. It is created from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by a process of hydrogenating unsaturated bonds in the butadiene units of the polymer. Typically, HNBR rings come in black, though we can custom-make these rings in other colours as per your requirements.

Depending on the level of hydrogenation of the butadiene copolymer and the acrylonitrile content, HNBR will exhibit different properties. In most cases, however, HNBR presents more benefits than nitrile rubber. The hydrogenation of the polymeric chain means that HNBR benefits from improved resistance and strength, in addition to a large number of other benefits. These benefits include:

• An increased temperature resistance range of -40°C to +150°C, with short term excursions to 170°C
• High chemical resistance
• Resistance to oils, such as crude oil, and modern fuels
• Excellent tensile and tear strength
• Imperviousness to ozone and sunlight
• High resistance to abrasion
• Excellent dynamic behaviour in high temperatures
• Low permeability to volatiles and gases.
• Resistance to many varieties of modern fuels
• Resistance to high energy radiation.
• Low noise and vibration transmission.
• Low compression set, even at high temperatures.

All of these noteworthy properties make it ideal for use in various applications, which we detail below.

What are hydrogenated nitrile rubber seals used for?

HNBR is used in various applications due to its high resistance against various environmental factors. You will typically find HNBR in ‘O’-rings for oil and gas applications, packers and water stop seals. In terms of industries specifically, HNBR seals are commonly used in automotive and industrial applications for their dependability and durability against extreme conditions.

An additional reason for their common usage within these industries is due to their resistance to substances often found within these applications. For instance, hydrogenated nitrile rubber seals are easily able to withstand continued contact with engine fuel, coolant and oil, as well as various other harsh substances used in industrial contexts.

In automotive and industrial systems, you can typically find HNBR used in the production of these components:

Automotive

• Seals in contact with oils.
• Anti Vibration (AV) mounts.
• Suspension seals.
• A/C seals and hoses.
• Fuel system seals and hoses.
• Engine seals, grommets and gaskets.

Industrial

• Rotary shaft seals.
• Oil field packers.
• Blow‐out preventers.
• Heat exchanger gaskets.
• Chevron seals.
• Paper mill rolls.

It is important to note, however, that HNBR seals are not suitable for use within electrical or flammable environments unless they are specifically formulated for that application, as HNBR polymer has poor resistance to both. They are also not recommended for use with esters, ketones or chlorinated hydrocarbons.

If you are looking for seals that are compatible with the above-mentioned substances, we recommend using FKM or FFKM rubber seals. We are specialists in the production of FKM and FFKM rubber seals, with custom moulded rubber seals and high-temperature ‘O’ rings available to be produced to your required specifications.

Hydrogenated nitrile rubber seals at TRP Polymer

At TRP Polymer Solutions, we use HNBR in the production of our ‘O’-rings to provide you with unparalleled, reliable performance for your application. In addition to HNBR, there are many types of polymer that we produce our ‘O’-rings from, allowing you to choose the ideal polymer for your system.

If you are uncertain as to what material would be ideal for your ‘O’-rings, we have many useful pages to aid you in material selection. For example, you can browse our material datasheets and chemical resistance guide, which include plenty of information about the range of polymers we use in the production of our products. This allows you to see the unique characteristics of these polymers, including their temperature resistance ranges, IRHDs and compatibility with specific chemicals.

With custom colours, metal detectability and certifications including FDA, USP Class VI & Norsok M710, TRP Polymer Solutions can provide you with high-performance ‘O’-rings specifically designed for your application, so be sure to get in touch with an enquiry.

For more information on our products and how TRP can assist your business, please contact us. Our technical team is ready to provide expert advice and solutions tailored to your needs.