What is HNBR?

A Versatile Solution: Low temperatures HNBR

When high temperatures demand strong tensile strength and resilience, one elastomer comes to mind: Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR).

HNBR elastomers are altering the landscape for sealing and manufacturing industries. The material, made from hydrogenating acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), can withstand greater temperatures, has stronger resistance, and is well-known for its physical strength. HNBR has superior strength, heat and oil resistance, and ozone resistance because to its polymer structure.

NBR polymers have double and triple bonds in their polymer chains. The bonds are disrupted and replaced with hydrogen, yielding a high-performance material. NBR uses a variety of Acrylonitrile (ACN) to provide stronger or lower oil resistance. Low temperature HNBR employs 17% ACN. Fluid and chemical resistance improves with a rise in ACN concentration, similar to NBR. The lower the ACN, the better the performance at low temperatures.

HNBR Benefits

-High mechanical strength
-Excellent heat and oxidation stability

-Resistance to modern oils, fuels and coolants
-Improved wear resistance
-Temperature range from -60°C to +160°C

HNBR: Applying in the industry

HNBR has expanded the spectrum of conceivable uses beyond standard NBR materials, including automotive, industrial, and other performance-demanding applications.


This material is ideal for under-the-hood applications due to its unique mix of physical and chemical qualities, as well as its good performance at low temperatures. It is also suitable for environmental housing seals with oil exposure and O-Rings for equipment in harsh conditions.
 

Automotive: As the automotive sector places ever-increasing demands on reliability and performance, new grades of HNBR materials provide a wider service temperature range in dynamic and static seals, hoses, and belts. HNBR is on its approach to replacing polychloroprene in automobile timing belts, which already account for more than half of HNBR consumption in Europe.

Oil and Gas: HNBR is commonly used for oil field exploration and processing, as well as rollers for steel and paper mills.

Medical: HNBR is an excellent choice for sanitary gaskets because to its superior steam and chemical resistance. Many applications now use normal NBR compounds with lower shelf-life performance, for which HNBR would be an acceptable replacement.


Customers are transitioning from NBR to HNBR because to the superior physical qualities and longer service life of the HNBR. These rubber components will last longer in use and even longer in storage.