Optimizing Permeation Resistance and Low Temperature Flexibility in Heat Resistant NBR Fuel Hose

The Automotive Industry has expressed concern that fuel hose performance must be improved to withstand highly aromatic fuels, sour gasoline exposure, fuel permeation loss, and more rigorous service conditions. Closer co-operation with polymer producers is required in optimizing performance.

This report concerning the resistance of polymers to various fuels, including alcohol modification, is the result of a study to optimize properties of nitrile rubbers. It indicates that a 39% acrylonitrile CHEMIGUM HR-365* bound antioxidant nitrile rubber tube should achieve a balance of long term heat aging, fuel permeation resistance, and -25°C to -30°C flexibility. Coupled with a CO or CSM jacket, this type of hose should be far more economical than CFM fluoroelastomer and still resist vibration affects as low as -40°C.