Photo: Intake Manifold NVH Seal molded in Mexico with Orange HNBR

This gallery provides a look at some of our gaskets and seals molded with HNBR.

Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) is a cost-effective alternative to FKM and is commonly used in fuel system applications. This material is created by hydrogenating the chemical backbone of NBR, which significantly enhances its physical strength and resistance to heat, oil, and oxidation. While HNBR offers somewhat lower performance in terms of volatile organic compound (VOC) emission control compared to FKM, it is still approved and utilized by some OEMs for specific fuel sealing applications.

Key Characteristics of HNBR

Superior Heat Resistance
HNBR is capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +150°C, and even higher with specialized formulations. This makes it suitable for under-the-hood automotive applications and high-heat industrial equipment.

Exceptional Oil and Chemical Resistance
HNBR maintains strong resistance to petroleum-based oils, fuels, coolants, and many industrial fluids, including those with aggressive additives. It also resists acids, bases, and some oxidizing agents, which makes it valuable for gaskets exposed to diverse chemical environments.

Enhanced Mechanical Properties
HNBR offers high tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and tear resistance, outperforming many other elastomers in durability. It maintains these properties even after long-term exposure to heat, pressure, and chemicals, which is critical for gaskets subjected to continuous mechanical stress.

Low Compression Set
HNBR maintains excellent elasticity and low compression set, allowing gaskets to return to their original shape after compression. This ensures long-term sealing performance, even in high-temperature and pressure-cycling applications.

Resistance to Ozone and Weathering
Although not as inherently ozone-resistant as EPDM, HNBR provides moderate resistance to ozone, aging, and weathering, sufficient for many engine bay and industrial environments where direct UV exposure is limited.

Thermal Stability Under Load
HNBR can withstand dynamic stress and thermal cycling without degradation, making it ideal for sealing moving parts such as pistons, shafts, and engine components where gaskets experience constant vibration and load changes.

Check out the gallery below, and click “contact us” to reach a product specialist who can quote your program.