Materials
O-RingsThe following is a brief review of common o-ring compounds, if you have any questions or need additional help in specifying for your need, please contact us.
Kalrez®
A perfluoroelastomer that is resistant to most chemicals while offering the high temperature stability over of 300°C. Kalrez® parts provide reliable, long-term service with a wide range of industrial and electronic grade chemicals. It is used in highly aggressive chemical processing, semiconductor wafer processing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas recovery, aerospace and petroleum applications
Viton® (FKM)
The most specified material with temperature resistance to 200°C as well as resistant to aggressive fuels, acids, and other chemicals. Excellent compression set resistance Used in the semiconductor, chemical processing industries, and many others.
High Performance Viton® (FKM)
This material bridges the performance gap between perfluoroelastomer and fluoroelastomer parts, with an increase temperature range of -35°C to 200°C it should be specified when standard FKM seals are underperforming or when preventive maintenance (PM)dictates the need for frequent seal replacement. It also provides improved chemical compatibility for compound performance in aggressive environments.
Buna-N/Nitrile (NBR)
Due to its excellent resistance to petroleum products, and its ability to be compounded for service over a temperature range of -35°C to +120°C, nitrile is the most widely used elastomer in the seal industry today.
Silicone (VMQ)
Silicone rubber is generally non-reactive, stable, and resistant to extreme environments and temperatures from -50°C to +232°C while still maintaining its useful properties. Silicone compounds are very clean and are used in many food and medical applications.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
Fluorosilicone elastomers combine the good high and low temperature properties of silicone with basic fuel and oil resistance. The primary uses of fluorosilicone materials are in fuel systems at temperatures up to +177°C and in applications where the dry-heat resistance of silicone is required but the material may be exposed to petroleum oils and/or hydrocarbon fuels. Fluorosilicone has limitations at higher temperatures due to degradation of certain fluids, producing acids which attack the fluorosilicone elastomer.
Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPDM)
EPDM has a temperature range of -50°C to +120°/150°C, depending on the curing system. It has great resistance to heat, water and steam, alkali, mild acidic and oxygenated solvents, ozone, and sunlight. Also resistant to alcohols, glycol engine coolants and SKY-DROL (phosphate ester hydraulic fluid).
Neoprene (CR)
It is moderately resistant to both petroleum oils and weather (ozone, UV, oxygen). Neoprene is classified as a general purpose elastomer which has relatively low compression set, good resilience and abrasion, and is flex cracking resistant with a temperature range of -30°F to 212°F. It is used extensively for sealing refrigeration fluids due to its excellence resistance to Freon® and ammonia.
Urethane (AU, EU)
Outstanding wear and tear resistance, with very low compression set, ensuring maximum service life due to exceptional material strengths with a temperature range of -65°F to +212°F.
Teflon® (PTFE)
100% virgin PTFE which has the lowest coefficient of friction (against polished steel) of any known solid material. PTFE is very non-reactive, its melting point is 327 °C, but its properties degrade above 260 °C.
Tetrafluoroethylene-Propylene (AFLAS®)
This material is a copolymer of TFE and Polypropylene. Aflas® has chemical resistance is excellent across a wide range of aggressive media. Temperature ranges of -4°C to 232°C and certain compounds -9°C to 232°C.
ePTFE
Expanded PTFE's resistance to chemicals and abrasion, combined with its ability to withstand high and low temperature extremes from -268oC to 315o C, makes it highly effective in the transport and sealing of industrial fluids and cryogenic applications.
Teflon Encapsulated
A Teflon Encapsulated O-ring consists of a seamless TEFLON jacket over an elastomer core. This combination of a chemically resistant polymer jacket over a low-compression set elastomer provides unique properties for a wide range of demanding applications and a temperature range of -75° F to +400° F.
Vespel®
This high performance polyimide is mostly used in aerospace, semiconductor and transportation technology with a temperature range from 23°C to 288°C with endurance up to 482°C for limited periods. It combines heat resistance, lubricity, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and creep resistance, to be used in hostile and extreme environmental conditions. Unlike most plastics, it does not produce significant outgassing even at high temperatures, which makes it useful for lightweight heat shields and crucible support. It also performs well in vacuum applications, down to extremely low cryogenic temperatures.
Conductive Elastomers
Electrically Conductive Elastomer materials are ideal for customer applications requiring both excellent EMI shielding and environmental sealing across a wide temperature range of -55°C to 160°C. Conductive Elastomer compounds are available in standard and custom configurations including extruded, molded, sheet stock, die cut gaskets and O-rings.
DuPont™ Zalak®
Used in the Semiconductor and Photovoltaic Industries, this high performance material is a beige, translucent product that has been specially formulated for use in physically dominant/less chemically aggressive plasma environments, where greater mechanical strength is required. Zalak® is well-suited for static and low stress/low sealing force applications. A maximum continuous service temperature of 200 °C is suggested.