Testing of AEM and FKM Compounds In Acid Condensates for Turbocharger Systems

AEM compounds (DuPont^™ Vamac® ethylene acrylic elastomer) and FKM compounds (DuPont^™ Viton® fluoroelastomer) are used to make hoses for turbocharged engines.  AEM compounds are also used to make air ducts for turbocharged engines.  The hoses and ducts made from these polymers have to meet the increasingly stringent turbocharger requirements especially around acid condensates.

Turbocharged engines are growing globally because of the demand for improved fuel efficiency. The end use requirements for the parts in a turbocharger system are becoming more difficult to meet as working pressures increase and as more of the exhaust gases and blow by gases are recycled.  As the pressure increases there is a corresponding increase in temperature.  As the amount of exhaust and blow by gases that are recycled increases, there is an increase in impurities that build up in the air system – especially with acid condensate but also with engine oil and fuel. 

Extensive testing has been done with both AEM and FKM compounds in a variety of acid condensates and a variety of test conditions.  The acid condensates used in the lab were based on OEM specifications.  Some of the factors that have an effect on results are pH of the solution, test time, test temperature, testing in the vapor phase or liquid phase, etc.   Both the AEM and FKM compounds can be designed to perform well in the various test conditions.

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