Materials technology

Overview of elastomers In excess of 20 classes of compounding Hydrogenated nitrile, HNBR

ingredients exist. These range from (Elast-O-Lion®)
There are currently five generic elastomer reinforcing fillers, curatives, accelerators, Hydrogenated nitrile is derived from
types in significant use in the oil and gas protectants, coupling agents and fire conventional nitrile. It is produced
industry: retardants, through to extenders and by a process that hydrogenates the
● Nitrile, NBR, process aids – enabling almost an infinite unsaturation (carbon double bonds) in the
● Hydrogenated nitrile, HNBR variety of grades to be compounded. butadiene unit of the polymer.
(Elast-O-Lion®),
End users must satisfy themselves that their These materials have the excellent oil/fuel
● Fluoroelastomer, FKM (including
seal suppliers operate a no-compromise resistance of NBR elastomers combined
our Chem-O-Lion®, based on Viton®
policy with regard to compounding, using with superior mechanical properties,
Extreme™),
only the highest quality raw ingredients, improved chemical resistance, better
● Tetrafluoroethylene/propylene
purchased from reputable suppliers to weatherability, better thermal capability
dipolymers, FEPM (eg, Aflas®),
rigorous specifications, and then judiciously and outstanding abrasion resistance.
● Perfluoroelastomer, FFKM (eg, Kalrez®).
compounded to give optimum properties.
It is easy to dilute expensive specialised
These are selected for fluid seal applications Hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR)
materials with cheaper ingredients to lower
according to their physical and chemical
the cost of a final elastomer compound, or
characteristics, such as temperature
to add large quantities of process aids that
capability and media resistance.
ease production. These policies often lead
to impaired performance.
We describe them in this section at a
generic level. However, it is important to Nitrile, NBR
recognise that a crude polymer can only Nitrile rubber is the most widely used Advantages: Good oil/fuel and chemical
be made into an engineering elastomer oilfield elastomer. It provides good, resistance; good weathering resistance, excellent
mechanical properties inc. TS, tear, modulus,
through the addition of a multitude of general purpose, oil resistant materials E@B and abrasion; wide temperature range; can
compounding chemicals. It is the nature that are much less expensive than more be compounded for excellent RGD resistance.
and combination of these chemicals that complex high-performance elastomers. Limitations: Limited resistance to aromatics.
ultimately defines the characteristics of an Nitrile grades are manufactured by the Typical temperature range: –40°C to +160°C, or
elastomer. +180°C in oil (–40°F to +320°F, or +356°F in oil).
emulsion copolymerisation of butadiene Lower minimum temperatures can be achieved.
and acrylonitrile. Notes: Special grades can be sulphur cured for
Compounding dynamic applications but Tmax falls.
The science of compounding is regarded Commercially available grades of nitrile
by many as a ‘black art’ with technologists polymer – there are over 200 – differ from
worldwide striving to perpetuate this one another in three respects: acrylonitrile Fluoroelastomer, FKM
mysticism. Although many manufacturers content, polymerisation temperature and Fluoroelastomers offer excellent
base their compounds and seals on Mooney viscosity. The acrylonitrile content resistance to oils, fuels, mineral and
the same polymer, they may perform has by far the most profound effect on synthetic lubricants, aliphatic and aromatic
in significantly different ways – in some the properties of a vulcanised nitrile hydrocarbons, many mineral acids and a
cases as disparate as short-term failure rubber, influencing such characteristics vast range of other fluids.
against long-term capability. as oil resistance and low temperature
flexibility. Thermal and chemical resistance are
functions of fluorine level and cure system
(although imprudent compounding can
Nitrile (NBR) make the best elastomers mediocre). There
are three basic families of fluoroelastomer:
● Dipolymer; containing two components.
● Terpolymer; with three components.
● Tetrapolymer; with four components.

Fluorine content varies from 65 per cent

in dipolymers to over 70 per cent in some
Advantages: Good aliphatic hydrocarbon oil/fuel tetrapolymers.
resistance; resilience.
Limitations: Limited weathering resistance;
modest temperature resistance. There is also a special grade based on
Typical temperature range: –30°C to +120°C Viton® Extreme™. This adds excellent
(–22°F to +250°F). resistance to highly caustic solutions
Notes: Mainly for general purpose seals. LT and amines to the already wide chemical
Seals manufactured with high grades down to –50°C (–58°F).
performance elastomers compatibilities of fluoroelastomer.

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Materials technology

Perfluoroelastomers, FFKM High-performance composites

Fluoroelastomer (FKM)
(eg, Kalrez®)
e.g. Viton®, DyneonTM, Tecnoflon®
These are best known as Kalrez®, although Our intimate knowledge of materials
other grades do exist. The compounds science enables us to design engineered
contain fully fluorinated polymer chains solutions to fluid sealing problems using
and hence offer the ultimate performance a diverse range of elastomer-based
of elastomers when considering heat and composites.
chemical resistance.
Advantages: Excellent ozone/weathering
resistance; good heat resistance. Elastomer/fabrics
Limitations: Limited resistance to steam, hot
Some grades are suitable for continuous Elastomer-proofed fabrics offer the ideal
water, and other polar fluids. use at 327°C (620°F) with chemical solution where high-strength flexible
Typical temperature range: –20°C to +230°C resistance being almost universal. products are needed – typically to resist
(–4°F to +446°F). Lower minimum temperatures However, the moderate mechanical
can be achieved.
extrusion. The proofed cloth is plied
properties of these materials deteriorate together and moulded to the required
Notes: Properties vary significantly with type.
LT grades work down to –30°C (–22°F). rapidly at elevated temperatures. profile.

Tetrafluoroethylene/propylene Our high performance materials are based

Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
dipolymers, FEPM (eg, Aflas®) on the following elastomers:
These are usually recognised by the trade ● Fluorocarbon terpolymer.
name Aflas®, and have base dipolymers that ● Fluorocarbon tetrapolymers, for
differ in viscosity and molecular weight. enhanced fluid resistance.
● Hydrogenated nitriles
FEPM compounds have resistance to oils, (eg, Elast-O-Lion®).
lubricants and some fuels approaching
that of fluoroelastomer dipolymers. In Fabrics include: cotton, glass, nylon,
addition, they exhibit excellent resistance Advantages: Ultimate in terms of heat and polyester and aramids (eg, Nomex® or
to steam, amines, hydrogen sulphide and chemical resistance. Kevlar®). These are selected for their
bases. Fluorine content is around 56 per Limitations: Modest mechanical properties mechanical strength and operating
especially at elevated temperatures; very
cent, which may appear a retrograde step expensive. temperatures.
in fluoroelastomer development. However, Typical temperature range: Grades available for
synergy between the monomer units has ranges from –25°C ( –13°F) to +327°C (+620°F).
(+620°F) Elastomer/engineering plastics
resulted in a very useful, if specialised It can be beneficial to combine elastomers
material. with high-performance engineering
plastics – such as nylon, PTFE, PEEKTM or
The compounds can operate continuously PEP – to enhance the chemical resistance,
at 260°C (500°F) in steam and up to 200°C extrusion resistance or frictional properties
(392°F) in other media – however, they of a sealing product. We achieve this by
stiffen rapidly below 5°C (41°F). They also coating/sleeving an elastomer item, or by
exhibit the best radiation resistance of all including specially designed plastics parts
elastomers. in a seal assembly.

FEPM (eg. Aflas®) Elastomer/metal

For many high-performance sealing
applications it is necessary for an
elastomer to be bonded to a metal
component. We bond all standard
elastomers, and virtually every high-
performance grade, to a variety of metal
Advantages: Excellent ozone/weathering substrates – achieving intimate bonds of
resistance; good heat resistance; excellent very high strength.
resistance to steam and radiation; good overall
chemical resistance.
Limitations: High Tg; some grades difficult
to process.
Typical temperature range: +260°C (+500°F)
in steam; other media +5°C to +200°C (+41°F to
+392°F).
Notes: Poor extrusion resistance especially at
high temperatures.

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