ETHYLENE HYDROCHLORIDE Resistant O-Rings and Seals

Ethylene hydrochloride, also known as chloroethane, is a colorless, nonflammable, and volatile liquid with a sweet smell. It is widely used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic rubber, as a solvent for fats and oils, and in the production of various products such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and photographic chemicals.

When rubber is exposed to ethylene hydrochloride, it can cause a number of deterioration processes. These include accelerated ageing, cracking, hardening, embrittlement, discoloration, and loss of tensile strength. These failures are typically caused by the reaction of ethylene hydrochloride with the rubber, resulting in the formation of brittle cross-links between the rubber molecules. It is therefore important to ensure that rubber components are designed and formulated to be compatible with any exposure to ethylene hydrochloride.