There is a huge variety of different O-ring seal materials in use today. So much so, in fact, that for the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on three of the “best”.
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Determining the “best” O-ring material is virtually impossible. It would be like picking the “best” footballer of all time. Can you really make a like-for-like comparison between a goalkeeper and a striker? No, because their roles are completely different. This is also true of different O-ring seal materials; they are designed to perform different functions. Allow TRP Polymer Solutions to talk you through three of the “best” O-ring materials for certain applications.
There is a huge variety of different O-ring seal materials in use today. So much so, in fact, that for the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on three of the “best” for high performance, all-round functionality and general-purpose reliability.
Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) is a high-performance O-ring material that offers exceptional chemical and thermal resistance. The carbon-fluorine bonds of FFKM – known to be the strongest single bond in organic chemistry – are what give FFKM its superlative chemical, thermal, and oxidation resistance.
TRP Polymer Solutions develops a wide range of impressive FFKM grades that are designed to withstand temperature extremes from as low as –55°C to as high as +330°C for use as high-temperature O-rings and low-temperature O-rings alike. This advanced O-ring material is suitable for use as seals for chemical processing, seals for the oil and gas sector, aerospace seals and motorsport O-rings. We can also formulate food-grade, FDA-approved FFKM O-rings specifically for use in the food and beverage sector as food-safe O-rings.
Silicone is a widely used O-ring material that has become somewhat of an industry standard. Silicone rubber compounds deliver very good resistance to acids, water, and ozone. They also offer effective resistance to heat and weathering. Although not renowned for their tensile strength or shear resistance, certain compound grades of silicone offer improved tear resistance compared to standard silicones.
Silicone O-rings can operate in a broad range of temperatures, from extremely low to reasonably high – typically from around –60°C to +250°C. Silicone compounds are very clean and do not impart any odour or taste, which makes them an ideal choice for food, beverage, and medical applications.
Nitrile is a popular O-ring material for a wide range of applications and industry environments. Their versatility and reliability have led to nitrile O-rings being widely regarded as an excellent choice for general-purpose applications. Nitrile O-rings are reasonably resistant to petroleum oils, crude oil, water, gasoline, propane, and some hydraulic fluids.
Durable and robust, nitrile O-rings also provide good abrasion and compression set resistance. Given their general-purpose credentials, nitrile O-rings offer an unremarkable operational temperature range of –25°C to +100°C and relatively poor ozone and steam resistance. However, as a reliable and cost-effective solution, nitrile O-rings are a good choice, particularly for oil-resistant automotive, marine, and aerospace applications.
So, what is the best material for an O-ring? The choice ultimately comes down to the conditions that your O-ring will be exposed to and choosing a material that will reliably be able to withstand these. The decision as to which O-ring material to choose isn’t always clear, which is why it’s best to speak to an experienced custom rubber manufacturer for tailored advice.
TRP Polymer Solutions can supply O-rings in all three of these polymers and many other polymeric materials, and can advise you on the most suitable material for your requirements. For further information on our materials, or to discuss your application in more detail, please contact us today on +44(0)1432 268899 or email sales@trp.co.uk.
6 Apr 2019 • 
4 min read
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