技術記事
2025.06.30
技術記事
車両用シールの信頼性を左右する要素とは？(英語記事)
What Makes a Seal Reliable in the Mobility Industry?
The automotive industry demands components that perform reliably under extreme conditions—whether in high-speed combustion engines or in next-generation electric vehicle (EV) platforms. As technology evolves, so do the requirements for elastomeric sealing materials used in fuel systems, thermal management, transmission assemblies, and battery enclosures.
✅ Key Sealing Challenges in Vehicle Applications:
1. Exposure to high temperatures, aggressive fuels and lubricants
2. Long-term resistance to compression set, wear, and chemical degradation
3. Compatibility with biofuels, coolants, and electrically conductive fluids
4. Precision tolerance for automated assembly and miniaturized components
📈 Material Choices Matter:
Rubber materials such as NBR, EPDM are commonly used for automotive manufacturering, providing a cost effective solution. In more harsh environments, advanced materials like FKM (fluoroelastomer) and FFKM (perfluoroelastomer) are widely used for their resistance to:
Hydrocarbon fuels and oils
High heat (up to 300°C for FFKM)
Oxidation and chemical attack over long service intervals
These materials are especially valuable in modern powertrains, turbochargers, EGR systems, and EV battery packs—where safety and durability are critical.
🔋 Supporting the Shift to Electrification:
EVs introduce new requirements for sealing components, including:
High-voltage insulation barriers
Seals for battery cooling plates and inverters
Resistance to dielectric fluids, glycols, and flame-retardants
In response to these trends, manufacturers are developing low-outgassing, non-conductive, and thermally stable elastomers to meet automotive electrification standards.
🌱 Sustainability Trends:
With a global push toward carbon neutrality, automotive suppliers are adopting more sustainable practices—such as material recycling, reduced VOC emissions, and long-life components to reduce maintenance waste. Recycled elastomers are now a viable option in certain non-critical sealing applications.
Katon supports the automotive sector with customized O-rings, gaskets, and sealing parts made from industry-approved elastomers.
The automotive industry demands components that perform reliably under extreme conditions—whether in high-speed combustion engines or in next-generation electric vehicle (EV) platforms. As technology evolves, so do the requirements for elastomeric sealing materials used in fuel systems, thermal management, transmission assemblies, and battery enclosures.
✅ Key Sealing Challenges in Vehicle Applications:
1. Exposure to high temperatures, aggressive fuels and lubricants
2. Long-term resistance to compression set, wear, and chemical degradation
3. Compatibility with biofuels, coolants, and electrically conductive fluids
4. Precision tolerance for automated assembly and miniaturized components
📈 Material Choices Matter:
Rubber materials such as NBR, EPDM are commonly used for automotive manufacturering, providing a cost effective solution. In more harsh environments, advanced materials like FKM (fluoroelastomer) and FFKM (perfluoroelastomer) are widely used for their resistance to:
Hydrocarbon fuels and oils
High heat (up to 300°C for FFKM)
Oxidation and chemical attack over long service intervals
These materials are especially valuable in modern powertrains, turbochargers, EGR systems, and EV battery packs—where safety and durability are critical.
🔋 Supporting the Shift to Electrification:
EVs introduce new requirements for sealing components, including:
High-voltage insulation barriers
Seals for battery cooling plates and inverters
Resistance to dielectric fluids, glycols, and flame-retardants
In response to these trends, manufacturers are developing low-outgassing, non-conductive, and thermally stable elastomers to meet automotive electrification standards.
🌱 Sustainability Trends:
With a global push toward carbon neutrality, automotive suppliers are adopting more sustainable practices—such as material recycling, reduced VOC emissions, and long-life components to reduce maintenance waste. Recycled elastomers are now a viable option in certain non-critical sealing applications.
Katon supports the automotive sector with customized O-rings, gaskets, and sealing parts made from industry-approved elastomers.