APRIL 2011 DEALER INTERNAL USE ONLY

Fluids

ALTERNATIVE RETENTION COMPOUND

Purpose: Caterpillar may not have been utilizing the proper retention compound due to product
availability issues. Products were either not compatible with seal materials, lacked fundamental
retention properties, or were not commercially available through the Cat network. Petro Amber Gel
conforms to material and fluid compatibility standards, is approved for 1E4247 (Retention
Compound) and 1E 1597 (Lubricant), and is globally and commercially available through Caterpillar.

Benefits: The benefits of utilizing one approved retention compound would provide a product that is
fully compatible with all fluids and seal materials, would reduce the need for other approved
products, and reduce the chance for misapplication. Ultimately, the Petro Amber Gel product
provides more value to Caterpillar, our dealers, and our customers.

Validation Testing: Numerous validation tests were conducted to ensure product quality and
customer requirements were met. The testing conformed to the requirements of 1E4247 (Retention
Compounds), 1E1597 (Lubricants), and other functional requirements that would benefit assembly
and component life. The Sealing COE completed validation on seal materials including elastomeric
materials (rubber), urethane and nylon materials. Fluids engineering completed SOS analysis, and
oil solubility in order to evaluate the compatibility with different fluids. Along with functional
application testing done at facilities, a transmission and engine build were done using Petro Amber
Gel. The transmission test consisted of using the Petro Amber Gel as the retention compound and
assembly lubricant, hot test, and tear down to evaluate the seal materials. The engine build
consisted of using Petro Amber Gel as the retention compound, hot test, addition 8 hour running
test, and tear down for the evaluation of seal materials.

Results:
Retention and Insertion Force Tests
The Petro Amber Gel passed both the retention and insertion force testing. Petro Amber Gel
retained o-rings on the retention plate to ensure conformance for retention. The insertion force test
was completed to validate product as an assembly lubricant. The goal was to ensure reduction of
assembly forces seen on o-ring’s in radial applications. Petro Amber Gel passed testing as an
assembly lubricant for use on o-ring’s and seals. The product should not be used on any
gaskets.

PELJ1261
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Material and Temperature Compatibility

The Petro Amber Gel passed the following material compatibility tests for elastomeric (rubber),
nylon, and urethane materials.

Petro Amber Gel Compatible Seal Materials

Material Material Cat Material Cat

Type Type Spec Type Material Type Spec
Elastomeric Nitrile 1E0668 Urethanes TODI/Polycarb 1E4423
Elastomeric EPDM 1E0712B Urethanes PPDI/Polycap 1E2971
Elastomeric HNBR 1E2719A Urethanes Acetal 1E4189
Elastomeric Silicone 1E0676A Urethanes MDI/Polycap 1E2875B
Elastomeric Aflas (TFEP) 1E2909 Urethanes TODI/polycap 1E0724
Elastomeric FKM 1E2865B Urethanes XNBR 1E1595
Elastomeric CRFKM 1E4270A Nylon 40% GF Nylon 1E1446
Elastomeric FKM 1E0804
Elastomeric EPDM 1E0712A

These materials translate to the following applications: engine seals, transmission seals, all machine
seals and most hydraulic cylinder seals. Petro Amber Gel should not be used on gaskets. In
addition, Petro Amber Gel should not be used on piston seals that are used in hydraulic cylinders.

Solubility Test
Petro Amber Gel remained dissolved in multiple fluids after being heated to 175F and cooled to –
10F. There was no risk for separation of the Petro Amber Gel once dissolved in a fluid system.

SOS Analysis
Additive package, viscosity, wear metals, and particle count numbers all appear normal. (used 1%
by weight ratio)
Functional Application Testing (Transmission / Engine Build)
Assemblers agreed that this product performed as designed while assembling the test transmission
and engine. In some cases assemblers felt this product was easier to use than their current product.

Test Builds
All seal materials were inspected by the Sealing COE after the transmission and engine were
disassembled. There was no compromise to any of the materials. The Petro Amber Gel was
approved for the materials stated as a retention compound and lubricant. No residue remained after
the components were disassembled.
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Engine Build (Petro Amber Gel Amber utilized as retention

compound)

Transmission Build (Petro Amber Gel Amber utilized as an

assembly lubricant)

Current Product Transition: The current aftermarket product O-ring Retention Compound (1U-
6395, 1U-6396) will be available until remaining inventory is depleted. Once this has taken place, it
will no longer be available and will be replaced by the Petro Amber Gel. The Petro Amber Gel can
be ordered in the following volumes listed below by using the corresponding part number.

Ordering Information

Cat Part Numbers Size

369-9450 6 lb Can
369-9451 10 oz. Tube
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Contact Information
Global Dealer Solutions Network
Parts Technical Support Team
Toll Free - North America: 1-877-228-2420
International: +1-309-266-4421
Email: Tech_Support@Cat.com

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