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Materials Summary Guide

Material Summary Guide


Please select a material

 

 ACETAL  ( POM )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont™ - Delrin®, Quadrant - Ertacetal®, BASF - Ultraform®

Temp. Range: 

-40 ºC to +100 ºC
 -40 ºF to +212 ºF

Description: 

Acetal, or polyacetal, is a widely used material for anti-extrusion rings, bearings and structural components. It has better capability, lower water absorption and wider temperature capabilities than polyamide (Nylon).
  • Acetal is available with a wide range of fillers
  • Strength may be improved by many types of filler from glass to stainless steel
  • Lubrication may be improved by the addition of PTFE, MoS2, or carbon
  • The incorporation of fillers will have significant effects on the mechanical properties

Suitable with: 

Air, mineral oils & fuels

Not suitable with: 

Wide range of chemicals

 

 AFLAS® - TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE PROPYLENE  ( FEPM , TFE/P )
 

Trade names: 

Asahi Glass Co. - Aflas®, DuPont™ - Viton® (BRE)

Temp. Range: 

-9 ºC to +232 ºC
 16 ºF to +450 ºF

Description: 

This elastomer is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and propylene. The fluorine contributes to the good fluid resistance and temperature capability, but the ethylene base causes higher swell in hydrocarbon liquids than experienced with fluorocarbons.
  • Aflas™ is found in numerous applications in the oilfield industry
  • Aflas has poor low temperature performance and low resilience

Suitable with: 

Water, steam, methanol, amines, phosphate esters, brake fluids, ethylene glycol, acids (H2S upto 10%), mineral-based lubricating and hydraulic oils, some synthetic lubricants, air, ozone

Not suitable with: 

Lighter aromatic hydrocarbon liquids (gasolines), solvents such as benzene, ethers and ketones, chlorinated solvents and hydrocarbons, refrigerants, kerosene

 

 CARBOXYLATED NITRILE  ( CBX , XNBR )
 

Trade names: 

Temp. Range: 

-20°C to + 135°C
 -4°F to + 275°F

Description: 

The addition of carboxylic acid groups to the NBR polymer backbone produces a polymer with increased strength, which provides a material with improved tensile and wear properties plus good abrasion resistance. The negative effects include reduction in compression set and water resistance, resilience and some low temperature properties.
  • Lower solvent swell
  • Excellent chemical resistance to petroleum oils and fluids
  • Commonly used in dynamic applications

Suitable with: 

Aliphatic hydrocarbons (propane, butane, petroleum oil,mineral oils and grease, diesel fuels, fuel oils), LPG, water and glycol-based and (HFA, HFB and HFC) hydraulic fluids, vegetable oils

Not suitable with: 

Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, high octane gasoline, etc.), chlorinated hydrocarbons, polar solvents, glycol-based brake fluids, ozone and weather aging, stong acids, hot water, ozone, water, atmospheric aging

 

 CHLOROPRENE  ( CR )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont Performance Elastomers - Neoprene, Lanxess AG - Baypren®

Temp. Range: 

-40°C to +121°C
 -40°F to +250°F

Description: 

Chloroprene (from DuPont™) was the first synthetic elastomer material developed commercially. It exhibits generally good ozone, aging and chemical resistance. It also has good mechanical properties which it retains reasonably over a wide temperature range.
  • It is commonly found as a seal material in compressed air systems and is one of the few elastomers with good resistance to R12
  • Today there are at least nine different manufacturers of polychloroprene

Suitable with: 

Paraffinic mineral oils, silicone oils, water, refrigerants, ammonia, weather, ozone

Not suitable with: 

Aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, polar solvents, toluene

 

 ETHYLENE PROPYLENE  ( EPM , EPDM )
 

Trade names: 

Dow - Nordel™, ExxonMobil - Vistalon™, Uniroyal - ROYALENE

Temp. Range: 

-54°C to +150°C
 -65°F to +302°F

Description: 

There are two different types of EP rubber: EPM and EPDM.

EPM - Copolymer of ethylene and propylene
EPDM - Terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene

Ethylene propylene based materials are resistant to some fluids that cause problems with most other elastomers. The major limitation is the complete lack of resistance to hydrocarbon liquids. Therefore, they should be handled with some care in a work shop environment.
  • Useful when sealing phosphate-ester hydraulic fluids and glycol based brake fluids
  • The major limitation to performance in high temperature applications is the air aging resistance
  • EPM's are generally cured with organic peroxides
  • EPDM's are either cured with conventional sulfur cure systems or organic peroxides

Suitable with: 

Water, steam, phosphate ester (HFD-R and Skydrol), silicone oil and grease, polar solvents, glycol-based brake fluids, some acids and alkalis, ozone, air ageing

Not suitable with: 

Mineral oil products (oils, greases and fuels), air ageing and ozone at high temperatures

 

 FLUOROCARBON  ( ETP , TBR )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont Performance Elastomers - Viton® Extreme™

Temp. Range: 

-20°C to +204°C
 -4°F to +400°F

Description: 

Viton® Extreme™ is a fluorocarbon compound that exhibits significantly improved performance over regular Viton® Fluorocarbons are a high temperature oil resistant elastomer capable of providing a very wide chemical compatibility range. There are several different fluorocarbon compounds available. The basis of the different compounds is the incorporation of fluorine into the polymer chain. As you increase the fluorine concentration within the polymer, the greater the chemical resistance of the compound.
  • TBR - Totally Base Resistant compound that provides improved performance over other TFE/Propylene polymers
  • ETP - Provides the excellent thermal resistance of Viton along with significantly advanced chemical resistance

Suitable with: 

Mineral oils and greases, HFD, silicone oils and greases, vegetable oil and grease, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, gasoline, ozone, weather, ageing

Not suitable with: 

Glycol-based brake fluids, steam and hot water above 100 ºC, Skydrol, polar solvents, ammonia, methanol, amines, alkalis, organic acids

 

 FLUOROCARBON   ( FKM )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont Performance Elastomers - Viton® DuPont™

Temp. Range: 

-26°C to +204°C (Low Temp. available to -40 ºC)
 -15°F to +400°F (Low Temp. available to -40 ºF)

Description: 

Fluorocarbons are a high temperature oil resistant elastomer capable of providing a very wide chemical compatibility range. There are several different fluorocarbon compounds available. The basis of the different compounds is the incorporation of fluorine into the polymer chain. As you increase the fluorine concentration within the polymer, the greater the chemical resistance of the compound. Fluorocarbons were originally developed as a dipolymer of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and vinylidene fluoride (VDF). These comprise the Viton® A and GA polymers from DuPont Performance Elastomers.
  • Hi-Tech's main compound is A-401C from Dupont, it is 66% fluorinated and bisphenol cured. It has good hydrocarbon and compression set resistance
  • Terpolymers were developed by adding tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) to the HFP-VDF co-polymer which results in 68% fluorine content. These are the Viton® B grade. They provide improved fluid resistance but inferior compression set and low temperature performance
  • Viton® GF compounds are also available and contain approximately 69-70% fluorine
  • Viton® GLT provides the same excellent resistance to heat and fluids that is typical of the Viton® A grade but also exhibits significantly improved low temperature flexibility
  • Viton® GFLT is similiar to Viton® GLT but in addition provides improved chemical resistance
  • Generally an increase in fluorine content provides improved fluid resistance but has been associated with a reduction of the physical properties

Suitable with: 

Mineral oils and greases, HFD, silicone oils and greases, vegetable oil and grease, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, gasoline, ozone, weather, ageing

Not suitable with: 

Glycol-based brake fluids, steam and hot water above 100 ºC, Skydrol, polar solvents, ammonia, methanol, amines, alkalis, organic acids

 

 FLUOROSILICONE  ( FVMQ , FMQ )
 

Trade names: 

Dow Corning - Silastic® LS/FSR, GE Silicones - Silplus®

Temp. Range: 

-56 ºC to +204 ºC
 -69 ºF to +400 ºF

Description: 

Fluorosilicone has fluorine added into the polymer chain in order to provide improved chemical resistance over silicone. Flurosilicone also has similiar mechanical properties to silicone.
  • Generally low tear strength, abrasion resistance and tensile strength
  • Generally not suited for dynamic applications

Suitable with: 

Mineral oils and greases, silicone oils, synthetic lubricants, ATF, brake fluids, water, alcohol

Not suitable with: 

Aromatic solvents, amines, phophate esters (Skydrol), concentrated acids

 

 HIGHLY SATURATED NITRILE   ( HSN , HNBR )
 

Trade names: 

Zeon - Zetpol®, Lanxess - Therban®

Temp. Range: 

-40°C to +160°C
 -40°F to +320°F

Description: 

Highly saturated nitrile (also known as hydrogenated nitrile) is the result of the nitirile polymer being subjected to the hydrogenation process which has the effect of improving the resistance of the polymer chain to chemical attack. HNBR has a wider temperature range than standard nitrile and good mechanical properties. However, it will cost more than standard nitrile.
  • High strength material that resists extrusion, abrasion and wear
  • Popular for seal applications in the oil and gas industry, chemical industry, diesel engines and similiar high reliability aggressive environments
  • Has good ozone resistance which makes it compaitible with high temperature, high pressure compressed air systems
  • Low temperature compounds are available down to -54 ºC / -65 ºF

Suitable with: 

H2S (upto 10%), mineral oils and greases, LPG, fuel oils, water and steam resistance up to 149 ºC, dilute acids, glycol-based hydraulic fluids, vegetable oils, ozone, ageing, weathering

Not suitable with: 

Glycol-based brake fluids, polar solvents, strong acids

 

 HYTREL® - THERMOPLASTIC POLYESTER ELASTOMER  ( TCP - ET )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont™ - Hytrel®, SKF Group - Fluorotrel®

Temp. Range: 

-54 ºC to +149 ºC
 -65 ºF to +300 ºF

Description: 

Hytrel (TPC-ET) is a thermoplastic elastomer material which has excellent strength and toughness properties. TPC-ET can be made as a very flexible or relatively hard material depending on the grade. TPC-ET is similiar to urethane.
  • Demonstrates high resilience and flexiblity which permits easier installation than PTFE materials

Suitable with: 

Mineral oils and greases, hydrocarbon fuels, water-based hydraulic fluids HFA and HFB, environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids, glycol, dilute acids and bases

Not suitable with: 

Water and phosphate ester fluids above 80 ºC

 

 KALREZ® - PERFLUOROELASTOMER  ( FFKM )
 

Trade names: 

DuPont Performance Elastomers - Kalrez®, Solvay Solexis - Tecnoflon® PFR, Precix - PO3

Temp. Range: 

-15 ºC to +310 ºC
 +5 ºF to +590 ºF

Description: 

Perfluoroelastomers are a development of fluoroelastomers where the polymer chain is fully fluorinated so no hydrogen is present. Due to the raw materials for the production of these compounds being very expensive the materials remain as high cost specialist compounds.
  • FFKM's have the broadest chemcial resistance of any elastomeric material and very high temperature capability
  • FFKM's combine the sealing integrity of elastomers with chemical resistance approaching that of PTFE
  • FFKM's can suffer considerable loss of mechanical properties at high temperatures such as compression set
  • FFKM's are the most expensive elastomers
  • Kalrez 4079 - A low compression set 75 durometer compound with excellent chemical resistance, good mechanical properties and outstanding hot air aging properties
  • Kalrez Spectrum 6380 - An 80 durometer compound specifically developed for chemical processes involving hot, aggressive amines; in addition it has excellent overall chemical resistance
  • Kalrez Spectrum 7090 - A 90 durometer compound that is specifically targeted for use in applications requiring high hardness/higher modulus properties. This compound has excellent mechanical properties including compression set resistance and explosive decompression resistance
  • Compounds available to+325°C/+617°F

Suitable with: 

Most Media

Not suitable with: 

Liquid sodium and potassium, fluorinated solvents and refrigerants, some chlorine compounds, steam over 150 ºC depending on grade

 

 NITRILE  ( NBR )

 

Trade names: 

Lanxess - Perbunan®/Krynac®, CK Witco Corp. (Mexico) - Paracril, Zeon Chemicals (U.S.) - Nipol®/Nyson

Temp. Range: 

-40 ºC to +120 ºC (Low Temp. - LTN available to -54 ºC)
 -40 ºF to +248 ºF (Low Temp. - LTN available to -65 ºF)

Description: 

The acrylonitrile content of nitrile sealing compounds varies between 18% and 50%. The higher the acrylonitrile content, the better the resistance to oils & fuels. At the same time, elasticity and compression set properties are adversely affected. So a compromise is often made and a medium acrylonitrile content selected.
  • Presently the most widely used elastomer in the seal industry
  • Provides an exceptional balance of good mechanical properties, wear properties and reasonable resilience

Suitable with: 

Aliphatic hydrocarbons (propane, butane, petroleum oil,mineral oils and grease, diesel fuels, fuel oils), vegetable oils, LPG, fire resistant hydraulic fluids, water, dilute acids

Not suitable with: 

Aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, glycol brake fluids, stong acids (H2S), polar solvents, ketones, phosphate esters, ozone, weather, atmospheric ageing

 

 NYLON - POLYAMIDE  ( PA )
 

Trade names: 

Dupont™ - Nylon, Quadrant - Nylatron®

Temp. Range: 

-30 ºC to +93 ºC
 -22 Fº to +200 ºF

Description: 

Nylon was the first synthetic material to be developed (1938).
  • Nylon, from Dupont, is a tough and abrasion resistant material which makes it useful for wear resistance in dry applications
  • Polyamide may be reinforced by fillers such as glass to provide higher strengh or could be filled with MoS2 to provide improved lubrication
  • A major limitation of polyamide is its high water absorption which leads to swelling of the material
  • Major applications are wear rings, bushings and anti-extrusion rings

Suitable with: 

Air, mineral oils and greases

Not suitable with: 

Water or high relative humidity, solvents, acids

 

 POLYAMIDE-IMIDE   ( PAI )
 

Trade names: 

Solvay - Torlon®

Temp. Range: 

-200 ºC to 260 ºC
 -328 ºF to 500 ºF

Description: 

Polyamide-imide materials provide the overall highest performance capability of any melt processable thermoplastic.
  • Torlon® offers good resistance to elevated temperatures as well as broad chemical resistance
  • Capable of performing under severe stress conditions at continuous temperatures up to 260°C
  • Has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high creep resistance which contributes to dimensional stability
  • Machined Torlon parts provide greater compressive strength and higher impact resistance than most other engineering plastics

Suitable with: 

Hydrocarbon oils, fuels and solvents including aromatics, some acids including sulphuric, chlorinated organics, some alcohols, ethylene glycol

Not suitable with: 

Hot water or humid conditions, methanol, caustic fluids

 

 POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE  ( PBI )
 

Trade names: 

Quadrant - Celazole® PBI

Temp. Range: 

Up to 343 ºC
 Up to 650 ºF

Description: 

Celazole® (PBI) is the highest performance engineering thermoplastic available today.
  • It offers the highest heat resistance and mechanical property retention over 204 ºC (400 ºF) of any unfilled plastic
  • It offers the highest heat deflection temperature 427 ºC (800 ºF), with a continous service capability of 399 ºC (750 ºF) in inert environments, or 343 ºC (650 ºF) in air with short term exposure potential to 538 ºC (1000 ºF)
  • It has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and highest compressive strength of all unfilled plastics
  • Good in environments where better wear resistance and load carrying capabilities are required
  • Acts as an excellent thermal insulator

Suitable with: 

Not suitable with: 


 

 POLYETHERETHERKETONE  ( PEEK )
 

Trade names: 

Victrex® - Victrex® PEEK™, Quadrant - Ketron®

Temp. Range: 

-70 ºC to +260 ºC
 -94 ºF to +500 ºF

Description: 

PEEK compounds have a temperature range similiar to that of PTFE but they have a much higher strength and also retain their mechanical properties to high temperatures. PEEK has good hydrolysis resistance and its chemical resistance is close to that of PTFE.
  • PEEK is extensively used as a backup ring material for high pressure, high temperature applications dues to its hardness
  • A wide variety of grades are available including glass-filled PEEK

Suitable with: 

Most Media

Not suitable with: 

Some acids including hydrochloric, nitric and sulphuric, some phenols and sulphur compounds

 

 POLYETHYLENE  ( UHMW-PE )
 

Trade names: 

Quadrant - Tivar®

Temp. Range: 

-250 ºC to + 80 ºC
 -418 ºF to +176 ºF

Description: 

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene has extreme wear resistance and has been found to give superior performance to PTFE in water applications. It has also been found to give good service in cryogenic seals.
  • Commonly used as wear rings, valve seats and in high speed sealing applications
  • Good impact resistance
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • A low coefficient of friction
  • A non-sticking and self-lubricating material with excellent mechanical properties

Suitable with: 

Water, aqueous solutions, aromatic hydrocarbons

Not suitable with: 

Strong acids and alkalis, esters, chlorine, chlorinated hydrocarbons, refrigerants, amines

 

 POLYETHYLENE ( Low Density - LDPE )
 

Trade names: 

Temp. Range: 

-70 ºC to 80 ºC
 -94 ºF to +176 ºF

Description: 

Created through the high pressure polymerization of thylene, its low density is due to the presence of a small amount of branching in the molecular chain. This creates a virtually unbreakable product with extreme flexibility. Low density polyethelene varies in colour from translucent to opaque, and is suited for a wide range of molded applications.
  • The material of choice for laboratory dispensers and wash bottles due to its excellent flexibility and non breakable properties
  • Used extensively in film applications for packaging as bags, bottles, lids and caps
  • Also used as an extrusion coating, sheathing for cables and in extrusion and injection molding

Suitable with: 

Acids, Alcohols, Bases, and Esters, Aldehydes, Ketones, and Vegetable oils

Not suitable with: 

Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Mineral Oils, Oxidizing Agents, Halogenated Hydrocarbons.

 

 POLYPHENYLENE SULPHIDE  ( PPS )
 

Trade names: 

Chevron Phillips - Ryton®, Quadrant - Techtron®, Ticona Polymers - Fortron®

Temp. Range: 

Upto 220 ºC
 Upto 428 ºF

Description: 

PPS is a high temperature, high strength plastic with good chemical resistance. Although temperature and fluid resistance is not as comprehensive as PTFE it has higher strength and is a useful economic alternative.
  • It is used for backup rings and also as a V-ring material in oilfield applications
  • Used as a high temperature structural plastic for automotive components
  • Some 50 % of production is for automotive components including brake, coolant and fuel systems and in the power train and transmission
  • Used for components such as plastic pistons, valve bodies and the housing of integral seals and gaskets
  • Fluid resistance can be limited by the filler so it is important to assess individual grades for actual compatibility

Suitable with: 

Water, mineral and synthetic oils, automotive coolants and brake fluids, non-oxidizing aqueous acids, non-oxidizing organics, bases and salts, refrigerants at low temperature

Not suitable with: 

Oxidizing chemicals, strong acids, chlorine, chlorinated solvents, refrigerants at elevated temperature

 

 POLYURETHANE  ( AU , EU )
 

Trade names: 

SKF Group - Lubrithane®

Temp. Range: 

-54 ºC to +105 ºC
 -65 ºF to + 221 ºF

Description: 

Polyurethane is a thermoplastic elastomer and its tensile strength and wear resistance is typically 2-3 times higher than comparable elastomers such as nitirle. Polyurethane materials also have good resilience.
  • Polyurethane will maintain effective dynamic sealing at high pressures for extended periods
  • Widely used for both hydaulic and pneumatic reciprocating seals
  • The potential for plastic flow at high temperatures means polyurethane is not suitable for use as a typical rotary seal as the high underlip temperature will cause plastic flow
  • As polyurethane is a thermoplastic material it will only have elastomeric properties within a limited temperature range
  • At low temperatures it will have limited flexibility while at high temperatures it will be subject to plastic flow
  • Polyurethane suffers from hydrolysis in hot water and this can limit potential applications
  • There are two types of polyurethane, one based on polyester (AU) and the other on polyether (EU)
  • Polyester (AU) based materials provide the best oil and fuel resistance, wear and dynamic properties and have a longer shelf life (Approx 30 Yrs.)
  • Polyether (EU) based materials provide better hydrolysis resistance and are a little more flexible; they have a shorter shelf life (Approx. 7-10 Yrs.)
  • Polyester (AU) and Polyether (EU) urethanes are either used individually or in combination to optimize seal properties
  • The polyseal has a polyester (AU) base

Suitable with: 

Most petroleum based fluids, water up to 65 ºC (149 ºF)

Not suitable with: 

Phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, solvents, alcohol, brake fluids, hot water, steam, alkalis, acids

 

 SILICONE  ( VMQ )
 

Trade names: 

Dow Corning - Silastic®, GE Silicones - Silopren® and Silplus®, Wacker - Elastosil®

Temp. Range: 

-65°C to +232°C
 -85°F to +450°F

Description: 

Silicone elastmers possess a wide temperature range. Their major problem is the relatively poor tensile strength and tear resistance which in turn makes them susceptible to wear and also more prone to damage on assembly.
  • Excellent resistance to oxidation and ozone degradation
  • Most commonly used in static applications
  • Popular for food and medical applications

Suitable with: 

Mineral oils, vegetable oils, brake fluids, water, ozone, ageing, weather

Not suitable with: 

Aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents, water and steam (>120ºC), acids, alkalis

 

 TEFLON® - POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE  ( PTFE )

 

Trade names: 

DuPont™ - Teflon®

Temp. Range: 

-200°C to +250°C
 -328°F to +482°F

Description: 

PTFE and its derivatives [ETFE, FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene-Propylene), PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy)] are perhaps the most widely used plastics in sealing technology. In unfilled (virgin) form it is relatively soft and will conform to the surface texture to provide a low leakage seal.
  • PTFE has virtually universal chemical resistance
  • Very low coefficient of friction with excellent dry running properties
  • Low water absorption
  • Low dielectric constant and dissipation factor
  • It is found in both dynamic and static seals
  • Fillers can be incorporated to provide improved compression strength, heat, wear, creep and extrusion resistance
  • The different types of PTFE available are Virgin, Bronze, Glass, Moly-Glass and Carbon Graphite filled --these fillers are added to alter PTFE's sealing properties
  • NOTE: With filled PTFE the fluid resistance will be dictated by the filler material

Suitable with: 

Most Media

Not suitable with: 

Molten alkali metals, fluorine and other halogens, strong oxidizing agents