Products Tested
|
The elastomer compatibility of various polyalkylene glycols (PAGs) was determined. The polymers tested in this study are listed below:
|
WATER SOLUBLE
UCON Lubricant 50-HB-170
UCON Lubricant 50-HB-660
UCON Lubricant 50-HB-5100
UCON Lubricant 75-HB-1400
|
WATER INSOLUBLE
UCON Lubricant LB-135
UCON Lubricant LB-625
UCON Lubricant LB-1715
|
Elastomers Identification
|
Each of the elastomers tested was immersed in each of the PAG fluids for 95 days at 100℃. The elastomers are identified below:
|
Aflas
Butyl
Buna N
Buna S
EPDM
Fluorosilicone
Fluoraz
Gum Rubber
Kalrez 4097
Neoprene
Silicone
Viton A
|
Tetrafluoroethylene and Propylene Copolymer
Isobutylene Isoprene Polymer
Butadiene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer
Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene Propylene Copolymer
Fluorinated Silicone Polymer
Modified Tetrafluoroethylene and Propylene Copolymer
Natural Isoprene Polymer
Perfluorocarbon Polymer
Chloroprene Polymer
Organic Silicone Polymer
Fluorocarbon Polymer
|
Water-Soluble PAGs – Test Data
|
Tables 1-5 contain the test data from which the following general conclusions may be drawn:
1. According to the test data, all of the elastomers will provide fair-to-excellent service in all of the PAG fluids tested in this study.
2. Viton, EPDM, silicone, and butyl elastomers were sufficiently resistant to all of the PAG fluids to be resistance-rated 1 or 2, meaning these elastomers showed good resistance to the fluids under the test conditions. Viton, EPDM, silicone and butyl elastomers are commonly used and stocked materials. The Fluoraz, Kalrez, fluorosilicone and Aflas elastomers were also resistant with 1 or 2 ratings, but these fluoropolymers are specialty products and are not always available.
3. All of the test elastomers were compatible with 50-HB-170 and given a 1 or 2 rating.
4. The poorest performing elastomers were the nitrile compounds, Buna N and Buna S. Viton and EPDM elastomers both performed well in all of the fluids. Silicone and butyl are the next preference.
Due to the wide variability in compositions and specifications for elastomers with the same general name (e.g., Buna-N), customers should test the actual elastomers in their system to determine compatibility.
|
50-HB-170
|
50-HB-660
|
50-HB-5100
|
75-H-1400
|
|
Aflas
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Butyl
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
Buna N
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
Buna S
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
EPDM
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Fluorosilicone
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Fluoraz
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Gum Rubber
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Kalrez 4097
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Neoprene
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
Silicone
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Viton A
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
||||
Aflas
|
82 / 78
|
+2
|
+0.006
|
1
|
Very Sl. Softening
|
||||
Butyl
|
53 / 55
|
+8
|
-0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
||||
Buna N
|
75 / 77
|
+20
|
+0.011
|
2
|
Slightly Swollen
|
||||
Buna S
|
46 / 54
|
-12
|
+0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
||||
EPDM
|
67 / 71
|
+2
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
||||
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 67
|
-3
|
+0.006
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
||||
Fluoraz
|
80 / 80
|
+3
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
||||
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 40
|
-1
|
-0.002
|
1
|
Very Sl. Softening
|
||||
Kalrez 4097
|
75 / 70
|
+1
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Very Sl. Softening
|
||||
Neoprene
|
65 / 71
|
+16
|
+0.007
|
1
|
Slight Hardening
|
||||
Silicone
|
52 / 60
|
-1
|
-0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
||||
Viton A
|
72 / 69
|
+8
|
+0.003
|
1
|
Very Sl. Softening
|
||||
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
|
Aflas
|
82 / 79
|
+1
|
-0.005
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Butyl
|
53 / 58
|
-7
|
-0.004
|
1
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Buna N
|
75 / 87
|
0
|
+0.002
|
2
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Buna S
|
46 / 63
|
-20
|
-0.003
|
4
|
Hardened
|
|
EPDM
|
67 / 74
|
+1
|
+0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 71
|
-4
|
+0.007
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Fluoraz
|
80 / 82
|
+1
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 43
|
-5
|
-0.005
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Kalrez 4097
|
75 / 68
|
+1
|
+0.002
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 74
|
+2
|
+0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Silicone
|
52 / 59
|
-4
|
-0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Viton A
|
72 / 71
|
+3
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Changes
|
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
|
Aflas
|
82 / 81
|
+1
|
+0.003
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Butyl
|
53 / 60
|
-10
|
-0.004
|
2
|
Slightly Hardening
|
|
Buna N
|
75 / 91
|
-10
|
-0.004
|
3
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Buna S
|
46 / 63
|
-24
|
-0.005
|
3
|
Hardened
|
|
EPDM
|
67 / 74
|
-1
|
0
|
1
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 69
|
-4
|
+0.006
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Fluoraz
|
80 / 84
|
-8
|
+0.003
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 45
|
-8
|
-0.005
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Kalrez 4097
|
75 / 72
|
+1
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 77
|
-13
|
-0.008
|
2
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Silicone
|
52 / 60
|
-4
|
-0.001
|
2
|
Slightly Hardened
|
|
Viton A
|
72 / 71
|
+2
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
|
Aflas
|
82 / 82
|
+1
|
0
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Butyl
|
53 / 60
|
-10
|
-0.003
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Buna N
|
75 / 88
|
-6
|
-0.002
|
3
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Buna S
|
46 / 63
|
-23
|
-0.004
|
4
|
Hardened
|
|
EPDM
|
67 / 72
|
0
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 70
|
-4
|
+0.006
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Fluoraz
|
80 / 85
|
+1
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 44
|
-8
|
-0.004
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Kalrez 4097
|
75 / 74
|
+1
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 76
|
-2
|
-0.008
|
3
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Silicone
|
52 / 61
|
-3
|
-0.004
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Viton A
|
72 / 73
|
+3
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
Water Insoluble PAGs – Test Data
|
Tables 6 – 9 contain the test data from which the following general conclusions may be drawn:
1. Viton, EPDM, silicone and butyl elastomers were sufficiently resistant to all of the PAG fluids to be rated 1 or 2, meaning these elastomers showed good resistance to the fluids under the test conditions. Viton, EPDM, silicone and butyl elastomers are commonly used and stocked materials. The Fluoraz, Kalrez, flyorosilicone and Aflas elastomers were also resistant with 1 or 2 ratings, but these fluoropolymers are specialty products and are not always available.
2. Buna S elastomers are not recommended for use with UCON Lubricant LB-1715.
3. Gum rubber elastomers are not recommended for use with UCON Lubricant LB-135.
4. The poorest performing elastomers were the nitrile compounds Buna N and Buna S.
Viton and EPDM elastomers both performed well in all of the fluids. Silicone and butyl are the next preference.
Due to the wide variability in compositions and specifications for elastomers with the same general name (e.g., Buna-N), customers should test the actual elastomers in their system to determine compatibility.
|
LB-135
|
LB-625
|
LB-1715
|
|
Aflas
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Butyl
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
Buna N
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
Buna S
|
2
|
4
|
5
|
EPDM
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Fluorosilicone
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Fluoraz
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Gum Rubber
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
Kalrez 4097
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Neoprene
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
Silicone
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Viton A
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low, 5 = Not Resistant
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
Aflas
|
82 / 75
|
+3
|
0
|
2
|
Slight Softening
|
Butyl
|
53 / 57
|
-5
|
-0.004
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
Buna N
|
75 / 78
|
+19
|
+0.010
|
2
|
Slight Swelling
|
Buna S
|
46 / 40
|
+11
|
+0.010
|
2
|
Slight Softening
|
EPDM
|
67 / 70
|
+15
|
+0.008
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 65
|
-2
|
+0.006
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
Fluoraz
|
80 / 77
|
+5
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 24
|
+33
|
+0.008
|
5
|
Severe Swelling
|
Kalrez 4097
|
78 / 78
|
0
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 70
|
+24
|
+0.012
|
2
|
Moderate Swelling
|
Silicone
|
52 / 50
|
+6
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Very Sl. Softening
|
Viton A
|
72 / 66
|
+11
|
+0.005
|
2
|
Slight Softening
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low, 5 = Not Resistant
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
|
Aflas
|
82 / 81
|
+1
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Butyl
|
53 / 62
|
-9
|
-0.002
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Buna N
|
75 / 92
|
-3
|
0
|
4
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Buna S
|
46 / 64
|
-11
|
-0.001
|
4
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
EPDM
|
67 / 73
|
+3
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 62
|
-3
|
+0.005
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Fluoraz
|
82 / 80
|
+2
|
+0.005
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 42
|
+2
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Kalrez 4097
|
78 / 75
|
+1
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 76
|
0
|
-0.001
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Silicone
|
52 / 57
|
-3
|
-0.001
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
|
Viton A
|
72 / 71
|
+3
|
0
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low
|
|
|
Durometer Shore
A Hardness
Start/End
|
Absorption
Mg/cm2
|
Grossthick
Change
Inches
|
Rating1
|
Comments
|
|
Aflas
|
82 / 80
|
+1
|
-0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Butyl
|
53 / 59
|
-8
|
-0.004
|
2
|
Slight Hardening
|
|
Buna N
|
75 / 94
|
-4
|
-0.002
|
4
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Buna S
|
46 / 67
|
-17
|
-0.002
|
5
|
Hardening
|
|
EPDM
|
67 / 74
|
+4
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Fluorosilicone
|
64 / 70
|
-4
|
+0.003
|
1
|
Very Sl. Hardening
|
|
Fluoraz
|
80 / 82
|
+2
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Gum Rubber
|
45 / 41
|
-2
|
-0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Kalrez 4097
|
78 / 78
|
+2
|
+0.002
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Neoprene
|
65 / 80
|
-5
|
-0.006
|
3
|
Mod. Hardening
|
|
Silicone
|
52 / 57
|
-4
|
-0.003
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
Viton A
|
72 / 73
|
+4
|
+0.001
|
1
|
Minimal Change
|
|
1Test Conditions: Immersion in fluid 95 days at 100℃
Degrees of Resistance Rating: 1 = High, 4 = Low, 5 = Not Resistant
|
|