Posted to News on 13th Jun 2025, 12:00
Greene Tweed Proves Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Compatibility with Elastomer Seals in New Study
Ahead of the Paris Air Show, Greene Tweed has released results from a study confirming the compatibility of its fluorine-based elastomer seals with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The results provide critical insights for aerospace leaders transitioning to sustainable, low-emission fuels, while ensuring safety and reliability.
As the aerospace industry focuses on decarbonisation, SAFs offer substantial CO2 reductions of over 65% compared to traditional jet fuels. Nevertheless, challenges like seal compatibility remain. To address this, Greene Tweed conducted rigorous testing to ensure its seals perform effectively with these advanced fuels.
"Sustainable aviation fuels offer a practical path to reducing emissions, particularly for long-haul flights, where batteries and hydrogen remain less feasible," said Shawn McCloskey, Greene Tweed Chief Commercial Officer. "Our study ensures aerospace customers have reliable seal solutions for SAF adoption without compromising safety or performance."
Greene Tweed collaborated with multiple suppliers to evaluate SAF blends and their effects on the physical properties of fluorine-based elastomers FKM and FVMQ. The study assessed performance in SAF blends, including Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) and Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene (SAK), following ASTM D7566 standards. Testing simulated extreme aerospace environments, including temperatures up to 120C and prolonged SAF exposure.
Key findings from the study include:
Consistent Performance: FKM compounds (731, 772, 665) maintained performance across blends, including three SPKs, 50/50 blends with control fluid, and 20% SAK with 80% SPKs.
Material Properties: FKM elastomers showed strong compatibility with harsh SAF conditions, including fluid aging and dry-out scenarios.
Aromatic Content Impact: Aromatic content in SAF formulations, particularly SAK blends, is critical for maintaining material performance.
Advanced Testing Protocols: Testing under accelerated aging conditions confirmed long-term reliability.
"By analysing the effects of chemical interactions between SAF blends and advanced elastomers, we have developed a robust data set that established long-term reliability and compatibility in extreme aerospace conditions," noted Ronald Campbell, PhD, Senior Technical Advisor.
