AUTOMOTIVE ELASTOMERS

HIGH performance and speciality elastomer applications are increasing in number as small, efficient engines are designed for the newer small cars. Engine rear crankshaft seals are one of the most demanding uses for fluoroelastomers today. They were first introduced in Europe during the 1960s for small, high rev/min engines. These seals have been refined and are today considered as standard in Europe. Fluoroelastomer rear crankshaft seals are being used on newly designed engines in the US and are presently being considered for older US rear crankshaft applications displacing rope packing, nitrile, polyacrylate and silicone. Engineers are finding that transverse engines and the confined or even “encapsulated” engine compartments have increased under‐the‐bonnet temperatures. Therefore, front crankshaft and, in some cases, camshaft (ohc) seals are being upgraded to the more thermal‐oxidatively stable fluoroelastomers.