Most seal failures come from wrong material selection. For seal rings, gaskets, O-rings & industrial seals, check 3 conditions:
- Medium: mineral oil, water, brake fluid, acid/alkali. Wrong material swells or cracks (for rubber parts, moulded rubber parts, car rubber gaskets).
- Temperature: continuous working temp, not peak heat. Overheating reduces lifespan of rubber seals for fittings, rubber hoses, bellows.
- Seal type: dynamic seals need wear resistance; static seals depend on compression recovery.
Нитрильный каучук (NBR)：Standard for hydraulic/lubrication systems, -30~100℃, good mineral oil resistance. Widely used for rubber products, industry rubber. Weak against ozone, aromatics and ketones.
EPDM Rubber：Great for hot water, steam, DOT3/DOT4 brake fluid, excellent weather resistance.
Critical: Incompatible with mineral oil, leads to severe swelling.
Фторэластомер (FKM)：High temperature & chemical resistance up to 200℃+, ideal for engines, pumps and oilfield equipment. Higher cost; poor low-temp performance, not compatible with ketones/esters.
VMQ (Silicone)：Wide temp range -60~200℃, FDA grades available. Used for silicone gaskets, silicone foam seals. Low tensile strength, unsuitable for dynamic sealing; swells in mineral oil.
HNBR：Modified NBR. Oil resistant, continuous temp up to 150℃, better wear & ozone resistance. Mid-cost option for automotive & oilfield moulded rubber items.
PTFE:Not an elastomer. Outstanding chemical resistance, wide temperature range and low friction. Lacks elasticity; used for spring energized seals or coating over rubber substrates.
NBR for mineral oil; FKM/HNBR for high-temp harsh conditions; EPDM for water, steam & outdoor service; VMQ for food-grade static sealing; PTFE for heavy corrosion. These elastomers are key materials in rubber processing and caoutchouc industry, used to produce rubber buffers, rubber metal buffer, elastic bands and rubber moulded items. Select proper synthetic rubbers or silicone rubbers by checking medium, temperature and seal type.
