Chemical Resistance Guide
For more details about chemical resistance, please check our Rubber Chemical Resistance Guide.
HNBR
Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber, abbreviated as HNBR, has been developed to meet higher temperatures than standard NBR while retaining resistance to mineral-based oils. Additionally, HNBR offers outstanding resistance to glycol-based coolants, hot water, and ozone.
HNBR is obtained by hydrogenating the nitrile copolymer. It fills the gap left between NBR, EPDM and FKM elastomers where high-temperature conditions demand high tensile strength along with superior resistance to motor oils, sour gas, amine/oil mixtures, oxidized fuels, and lubricating oils.
The characteristics of HNBR depend on the acrylonitrile (ACN) content and the extent of hydrogenation applied to the butadiene copolymer. An increase in ACN content enhances the elastomer's resistance to hydrocarbon oils, albeit at the expense of reduced flexibility in low-temperature environments.
- High Nitrile: >45% ACN content
- Medium Nitrile: 30 – 45% ACN content
- Low Nitrile: <30% ACN content
HNBR can either be cured with sulphur or peroxide, depending upon which properties are the most important.
Strengths & Limitations
Temperature Resistance
- Low temperatures around -30°C (up to -40°C for special types)
- High temperatures up to +150°C
Chemical & Aging Resistance
Strengths
- Resistant to oil-based fluids, including gasoline, petroleum, and kerosene
- Effective against mineral oils, fats, and greases
- Compatible with vegetable oils, fats, and greases
- Durable in the presence of bio oils (biological oils)
- Withstands glycol-based coolants
- Resistant to hot water and steam up to 150°C (specifically for peroxide-cured types)
- Resistant to sour gas (widely used in the oil and gas industry)
Limitations
- Strong acids and bases
- Long term exposure to UV/sunlight
Material Comparison
- HNBR offers superior resistance to high temperatures
- HNBR is resistant to steam
- HNBR provides broader chemical resistance
- HNBR has enhanced resistance to ozone, UV, and sunlight
- HNBR is resistant to steam, unlike FKM A-type
- FKM exhibits superior resistance to higher temperatures
- HNBR offers better resistance at low temperatures
- The HNBR polymer is more cost-effective
- Both HNBR and EPDM are resistant to steam
- HNBR has superior resistance to mineral oil and grease
- EPDM offers better resistance to ozone, UV, and sunlight
- EPDM provides enhanced resistance at low temperatures
HNBR Compound overview
Custom Engineered Solutions
To guarantee the best quality for custom products, we work with Six Sigma engineering methods, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations and special development processes.
Standard Products
General contact ERIKS Group Head Office
Post address
ERIKS NV
P.O. Box 19108
3501 DC Utrecht
The Netherlands
E info@eriks.com
Chamber of Commerce
37 01 32 89
VAT Number
NL003.076.490.B02
