The possibility of reducing CO2 emissions through sustainable
paraffinic fuels opens opportunities for the continued use of existing
infrastructure and combustion systems. At the same time, fuel switching also
presents challenges in terms of the materials used. The changing composition of
paraffinic fuels and their impact on plastic materials is a frequent topic of
discussion. Compared to distillate diesel, neat paraffinic fuels contain almost
no aromatics, which are known to cause swelling in plastics, especially
elastomers. This literature review aims to examine and summarize studies on the
influence of paraffinic fuels compared to distillate diesel on elastomers. On
the fuel side, attention will be given to fuels with different total aromatics
content and neat paraffinic fuels. In the field of elastomers, materials used
for sealing applications and hoses are analyzed in detail. Special attention
will be paid to NBR, FKM, and EPDM. The review aims to answer three questions.
The first question relates to the influence of aromatic fuel components on
elastomers and their swelling behavior. The second question examines the
influence of non-aromatic fuels on other mechanical properties of elastomers.
The third research question examines the effects of switching between
aromatic-free and aromatic-containing fuels. Key findings reveal that elastomers
such as NBR, FKM, and EPDM react differently to aromatic and non-aromatic fuels.
NBR tends to swell significantly with higher total aromatics content, with
volume increases reaching up to 20%. In contrast, FKM shows minimal swelling
across the entire total aromatics content range (0–3%), while EPDM exhibits
extreme volume changes, up to 200%. The review further highlights the influence
of aromatic-free paraffinic fuels on additional mechanical properties of
elastomers. FKM remains stable, whereas EPDM experiences significant weakening.
Additionally, alternating fuel exposure between aromatic and non-aromatic fuels
revealed reversible changes in elastomer properties, especially for NBR and
EPDM.
