Material Guide

Chloroprene (CR)

-40°C to 121°C / -40°F to 250°F

  • Has exceptional ozone, weather, and good chemical resistance
  • Good mechanical properties are retained over a wide temperature range
  • Exhibits good resistance to refrigerants (R12)

Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)

-56°C to 204°C / -69°F to 400°F

  • Wide temperature range
  • Excellent resistance to hydrocarbon fuels, petroleum oils and silicone oils
  • Relatively low tear strength, abrasion resistance and tensile strength
  • Generally, not suited for dynamic applications

Ethylene Propylene (EPDM, EPR)

-54°C to 150°C / -65°F to 302°F

  • Excellent resistance to ozone, hot water, steam, and aging
  • Wide temperature range.
  • Commonly used with brake fluids and refrigerants
  • Poor resistance to petroleum fluids and mineral oils

Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR, HSN)

-40°C to 160°C / -40°F to 320°F

  • A Nitrile based compound with improved chemical resistance
  • Wider temperature range than standard Nitrile
  • High strength material that resists extrusion, abrasion, and wear
  • Water and steam resistance to +149°C/+300°F
  • H2S resistance up to 10%​
  • Commonly used with petroleum oils and CO2
  • Do not use w/chlorinated hydrocarbons, polar solvents, or strong acids
  • Low temperature compounds available down to -54°C/- 65°F

Fluorocarbon (FKM, FPM)

-26°C to 204°C / -15°F to 400°F

  • Excellent resistance to higher temperatures, petroleum oils, and gasoline
  • Wide range of chemical resistance
  • Very good ozone, weather, and aging resistance
  • Poor compatibility with H2S over 2%, amines, acetone, hot water and steam
  • Poor low temperature characteristics although some compounds are suitable to -40°C/-40°F

Nitrile (NBR)

-40°C to 120°C / -40°F to 248°F

  • Presently the most widely used elastomer in the seal industry
  • Provides an exceptional balance of good mechanical properties, wear properties and chemical resistance
  • Resistant to most mineral oils and greases
  • Do not use with glycol-based brake fluids and strong acids
  • Low temperature compounds to -54°C

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

-70°C to 260°C / -94°F to 500°F

  • High strength
  • Able to retain its mechanical properties at high temperatures
  • Commonly used for anti-extrusion purposes
  • Do not use with Hydrochloric, Nitric, or Sulphuric acids

Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)

-15°C to 250°C / 5°F to 482°F

  • Has the broadest chemical resistance of any elastomeric material
  • Combines the sealing integrity of elastomers with chemical resistance approaching that of PTFE
  • Not suitable with liquid sodium and potassium, fluorinated solvents, and refrigerants
  • Compounds available to+325°C/+617°F

Silicone (VMQ)

-65°C to 232°C / -85°F to 450°F

  • Excellent resistance to oxidation and ozone degradation
  • Wide temperature range
  • Most commonly used in static applications due to its poor tensile strength and wear resistance
  • Popular for food and medical applications

TFE/P

-9°C to 232°C / 16°F to 450°F

  • Good high temperature capability
  • Resistant to strong acids and bases, amines, solvents and hot water
  • AflasTM is found in numerous applications in the oilfield industry
  • Poor low temperature performance and low resilience

Polyurethane (AU, EU)

-54°C to 105°C / -65°F to 220°F

  • A thermoplastic elastomer with higher tensile strength, toughness, and wear resistance
  • A good combination of hardness and elasticity
  • Good low temperature flexibility
  • Can be used in high pressure hydraulic systems where parts are subject to wear

TPC- ET (Hytrel® -DowDuPont)

-54°C to 149°C / -65°F to 300°F

  • A thermoplastic elastomer able to handle high temperatures and hostile fluids
  • Has excellent strength and toughness properties
  • Demonstrates high resilience and flexibility which permits easier installation than PTFE materials
  • Not suitable with water and phosphate fluids above +80°C/+176°F

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

-200°C to 250°C / -328°F to 482°F

  • Has virtually universal chemical resistance
  • Very low coefficient of friction
  • Fillers such as bronze, moly, glass, and carbon are commonly added to alter mechanical properties

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