HNBR is the crown jewel in the rubber field and is expected to partially replace PVDF. Currently, only 4 companies in the world can mass-produce it!
The open source chemical team pointed out that hydrogenated nitrile butadiene (HNBR) is the jewel in the crown of rubber. It has excellent comprehensive properties and high production barriers. It is produced by only 4 companies in the world. In the field of lithium batteries, it can be used as a binder, dispersant , and solid electrolyte. etc., is expected to replace part of the PVDF market.
1) The crown jewel in the field of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber , its comprehensive performance is very outstanding and can be used in a variety of harsh environments
Hydrogenated nitrile nitrile rubber (HNBR) is a new type of nitrile nitrile rubber (HNBR) produced by catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). Elastomers.
The four major groups in the structure of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber bring it excellent comprehensive properties: due to the existence of cyano group , hydrogenated nitrile rubber has the same excellent chemical resistance stability as nitrile rubber , plus The hydrogen reaction reduces the unsaturated double bonds, making hydrogenated nitrile rubber have better heat resistance, weather resistance, and medium resistance than nitrile rubber; and some of the unsaturated double bonds remaining in the reaction also provide vulcanized cross-linking point. Therefore, compared with ordinary nitrile rubber, the special properties of hydrogenated nitrile rubber allow it to be used in more demanding environments.
2) HNBR technical barriers are high. Currently, there are only four manufacturers in the world.
There are difficulties that need to be overcome in many aspects of the hydrogenated nitrile rubber production process. This requires very high requirements for the company's R&D capabilities and technical level. Currently, there are only four manufacturers in the world. The four companies have large-scale production capabilities.
Arlanxeo has a production capacity of 11,000 tons/year, using the homogeneous solution hydrogenation method; Japan's Zeon has a production capacity of 12,500 tons/year, using the heterogeneous solution hydrogenation method; Zannan Technology has a production capacity of 1,000 tons/year, using the homogeneous solution hydrogenation method. Hydrogen method; Dawn Co., Ltd. currently has a production capacity of 1,000 tons/year of hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and another 2,000 tons/year production capacity is under construction. The company uses the homogeneous solution hydrogenation method.
The downstream products of hydrogenated nitrile rubber are mainly automotive timing belts, sealing gaskets, etc. The timing belt is used to synchronize the intake and exhaust times of each cylinder in the automobile engine. Manufacturers usually recommend replacing it every 60,000-80,000 kilometers or 5 years of use. Automotive timing belts made of hydrogenated nitrile rubber have high transmission, low deflection and good resistance to distortion and cracking. The safe driving mileage limit can reach 1 million to 1.5 million kilometers, and the service life is greatly improved.
3) HNBR has entered the lithium battery field. It has various uses and the market potential is ready to be developed.
HNBR can be used in battery binders, dispersants and solid electrolytes in the lithium battery field. Research and breakthroughs are being made in other application fields.
Battery binder is an important component of lithium-ion battery and has an important impact on the battery electrochemical performance. Hydrogenated nitrile has excellent performance as a lithium-ion battery binder and is a potential substitute for PVDF. It has excellent mechanical properties, adhesion, electrochemical stability, cycle performance, and low cost.
dispersant is an important component of the slurry. Since the conductive agent is unevenly dissolved in the electrode slurry composition, dispersion or agglomeration easily occurs between particles, resulting in a reduction in the internal uniformity of the slurry and affecting the service life of the finished battery. There are safety risks. Therefore, dispersants need to be added to the slurry to promote the dispersion of various particles. Zeon and LG have relevant patent certifications, confirming the feasibility of hydrogenated nitrile in the field of dispersants.
Open Source Securities predicts that the market size of PVDF in lithium battery applications will reach more than 100,000 tons in 2025, and HNBR replacement has great potential. The electrolyte is one of the core components of the battery. It is the medium for ion movement and current conduction between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery. Its quality directly affects the energy density, service life, and cycle performance of the battery. Hydrogenated nitrile rubber is expected to be used to manufacture ideal solid-state battery electrolytes. There are currently successful examples in laboratories. With innovations and breakthroughs in battery technology, there is room for future development.
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