Technical Notebook: Impact of new fluids on sealing components in EVs

Electric drives have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives, and their sales are increasing around the world. Among battery-powered vehicles, the lithium-ion battery is the best known example of an alternative energy source.

Compared to conventional drives, the requirement profile for components of electric drives, such as sealing components, is changing. Different application temperatures, resistance against new fluids, flame resistance and electrical properties of the compound are required. These new requirements result in investigations according to new test methods such as DIN EN 62631 1 3 (determination of electrical volume resistance) or UL94 (determination of flame resistance).

Tenneco has investigated various proprietary sealing materials according to the new requirements. These include substitutes from such material classes as HT ACM, HT AEM, per. FKM, bis. FKM, per. VMQ, per. EPDM, per. HNBR, per. FEPM and AEM. These tests have shown that Tenneco is very well positioned to meet the requirements of the new e-fluids. For example, Tenneco’s own K12 (HT ACM) and K14 (HT AEM) show very good resistance in new e-transmission and gear oils. In addition, sealing materials such as MVQ 827 (per. VMQ) or V79 (per. FKM) can be used under the requirement of flame resistance.