Production of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber- HNBR

Hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, also called highly saturated nitrile, is an improved version of the synthetic acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer (ACN) rubber.

Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber - A versatile elastomer

The advantage of HNBR compared to special elastomers is that it has a good level of sets of properties. It has few peak performances but, on the other hand, it has few shortcomings.

It’s the elastomer that’s good in everything! It has high mechanical strength, retains its properties after long-term exposure to heat, oil and chemicals, including hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and corrosion inhibitors.

Like NBR, its resistance to fluids and chemicals improves with its ACN (acrylonitrile) content.

For low temperature performance, it is advisable to use low ACN grades.

Depending on its formulation composition, HNBR rubbers generally have a tensile strength of 20 to 31 MPa, measured at 23°C.

Summary of the properties of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber- HNBR

Advantages

  • Good resistance to mineral oils
  • Very good level of mechanical properties and tearing
  • Very good resistance to fuels
  • Good abrasion resistance

Disadvantages

  • Low resistance to ozone and water vapor

Applications of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber - HNBR

The unique properties and higher temperature rating attributed to HNBR rubber compared to NBR have prompted the use of HNBR in automotive, industrial and various performance demanding applications.

HNBR elastomers exhibit excellent resistance to common automotive fluids (e.g., engine oil, coolant, fuel, etc.) and many industrial chemicals.

O-rings in automotive air conditioning systems as well as a wide range of dynamic and static seals, automotive hoses and belts are common uses of HNBR rubber.

HNBR rubber is also widely used in industrial seals for oilfield exploration and processing, as well as for rollers in steel mills and paper mills.

Brands of hydrogenated nitrile rubber - HNBR

Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber – HNBR is marketed under several brands, including the following:

  • Therban®,
  • Zetpol®