Choosing the right o-ring material for industrial equipment

May 01, 2025

Understanding the role of temperature in industrial o-ring material selection

There are hundreds of industrial o-ring materials available for industrial use, but not every type is right forFigure 1: There are hundreds of industrial o-ring materials available for industrial use, but not every type is right for every situation. Source: Arizona Sealing Devices every situation. OEMs can ensure better performance and lower the risk of sealing failure by carefully selecting an o-ring material based on their specific sealing requirements. For example, Buna-N is a popular option for applications requiring reliable sealing in temperatures ranging from -31° F to 248° F, while operating environments with temperatures as low as -103° F will benefit more from silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) o-rings. Use this guide to help choose the right material for industrial equipment seals based on chemical, temperature and mechanical compatibility.

Evaluating chemical compatibility

Chemical resistance is a key factor to consider when choosing an o-ring’s materials. Without the right materials, water, solvents and acidic or alkaline chemicals can each cause chemical degradation and o-ring failure. The following o-ring materials exhibit varying degrees of resistance to aggressive substances:

Aflas is commonly used to make chemical-resistant o-rings due to its temperature and chemical resistance. Common applications for these seals include the aerospace industry, the oil industry and general purpose use cases.
Buna/nitrile resists abrasion and corrosion damage and has high tensile strength, making them common materials for o-rings.
Butyl can be reliably used in vacuum seals thanks to its low permeability and ability to resist gas leakage.
Ethylene propylene is similar to butyl but offers superior resistance to chemical and ozone damage.
Fluorocarbon (Viton) offers excellent temperature and chemical resistance. These seals can be used in engines, fuel-handling systems and other high-temperature, high-exposure applications.
Fluorosilicone remains stable at a wide range of temperatures and resists chemical damage from fuels. Possible applications include aerospace fueling and static sealing.
Hydrogenated nitrile resists damage from oil and corrosion and is stronger than conventional nitrile.
Kalrez resists volatile chemical damage, making it an excellent choice for chemical processing, painting tools and oil and gas applications.
Neoprene is strong, chemically resistant and resistant to temperature damage. It is most commonly used in refrigerator sealing.
PTFE offers good general temperature and chemical resistance. However, it requires extra care during installation as it does not have elastic memory at room temperature.
Polyurethane (cast) is suitable for high-wear applications due to its high abrasion resistance.
Polyurethane (millable) is similar to cast polyurethane but with a slightly lower tensile strength.
Silicone rubber offers excellent temperature resistance and is available in multiple different quality grades, including medical grades. It is also useful for static sealing in extreme temperature environments.

Use resources like material datasheets to carefully select the right industrial o-ring material based on system requirements or reach out to a preferred o-ring manufacturing team for assistance.

Assessing mechanical durability

Industrial o-rings must be able to handle high mechanical stress. Dynamic applications such as rotating shafts and hydraulic systems can benefit from using elastic and highly abrasion-resistant o-ring materials like polyurethane. Static seals, which don’t experience dynamic movement, can be made from silicone or other soft materials. In highly pressurized systems with heavy compression forces, materials like fluorocarbon (FKM) and hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR) can be used to create durable o-rings.

By balancing the mechanical properties of materials with application-specific needs, OEMs can ensure long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance costs.

Practical tips for o-ring selection for industrial equipment

These quick tips can help users zero in on the right materials for their industrial equipment:

Take note of different environmental factors that can impact an o-ring’s performance, including temperature, pressure and chemical exposure.
Once a material’s durability and chemical compatibility are factored in, consider the price. Higher-quality o-rings from more expensive materials may have a higher initial cost, but they can result in long-term savings when they do not need to be frequently replaced.
Select the right o-ring size to prevent over-compression and stretching, both of which can compromise sealing effectiveness.

Partner with Arizona Sealing for reliable o-ring solutions today

Taking the time to choose the right industrial o-ring materials for an application can result in better sealing performance and lower maintenance costs. Arizona Sealing Devices helps OEMs and other companies understand which materials are the best fit for their systems, and they manufacture specialty o-rings for a wide range of industries and applications. They back their ISO-certified solutions with deep expertise to ensure that their customers receive durable and efficient sealing components that comply with stringent standards.

Contact Arizona Sealing Devices today to discuss what materials are best for an application, or request a quote for pricing details.