Japanese chemicals producer Zeon (Tokyo; www.zeon.co.jp) has introduced a hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) using its “Zetpol” compounding technology. The compounds offer opportunities for sealing applications by providing improvements in compression set, long-term ageing and processability.

Kai Kremer, commercial manager of the HNBR division at Zeon Europe (Düsseldorf / Germany), said: “Our new high-performance 'Zetpol' contains unique polymer architecture and a specific cure site monomer in the polymer chain. This gives greatly improved compression set resistance compared to conventional peroxide-cured HNBR.”

The improvement in compression set resistance increases over longer ageing times and especially in thin cross-sectioned articles such as O-rings, seals and gaskets, the company added.