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Oil Seal Material Chart

Material Chart for Oil Seals

Oil Seals are also known as a Rotary Shaft Seal, shaft seal, lip seal, elastomeric lip seal or any variation of these. It is a simple device for excluding dust, dirt, water or any other contaminant whilst retaining lubricant in rotary shaft equipment. Generally, it has been developed as a means of protecting the bearings of rotating shafts.

Below is the chart for Oil Seal Materials selection:

Aflas® (TFE/P)

Temperature range: between -10°C and +205°C (intermittent/compound specific between -20°C and +250°C)

Applications: Aflas® are created from an exceptional Fluoroelastomer (FKM), which is resistant to steam, petroleum oils, amine corrosion inhibitors, and hydrogen sulphide.

Resistant to: Steam, Petroleum Oils, H2S

Carboxylated Nitrile (XNBR)

Temperature range: between -55°C and +135°C

Applications: Carboxylated Nitrile (XNBR) oil seals are created from a low-temperature tolerant compound, also has an excellent abrasion resistance.

Resistant to: Water, Petroleum Oils

Viton® (Fluoropolymer FKM)

Temperature range: between -20°C and +205°C or between -45°C and +230°C (intermittent/compound-specific)

Applications: FKM Fluorocarbon oil seals distinguish a great resistance to solvents and petroleum oils. They are, therefore, great for high-temperature installations and have present low compression set attributes. Additionally, they are adapted for use with large chemical exposure and hard vacuum applications.

Resistant to: Transmission Fluids, Gasoline, Petroleum Oils

Fluorinated Ethylene – Propylene (FEP)

Temperature range: between -55°C and +205°C (dependant on core material)

Applications: FEP oil seals are an excellent option for static and slow intermittent dynamic applications. FEP is interfered by a poor memory at low temperatures. FEP is, however, very tough, a chemically inert polymer that has a spectacular working scope.

Resistant to: Majority of chemicals

Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)

Temperature range: between -60°C and +180°C (intermittent/compound specific up to +200°C)

Applications: Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) oil seals incorporate a good low and high-temperature persistence of Silicone (VMQ) and Fluorocarbon’s resistance to solvents, oil, and fuel. It also presents great resistance to gasoline and petroleum oils.

Resistant to: Gasoline, Petroleum Oils

Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR) or Highly Saturated Nitrile (HSN)

Temperature range: between -30°C and +170°C (intermittent/compound specific up to +190°C)

Applications: Oil seals produced from Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR) present superior sour gas and petroleum oils resistance. Due to an extensive temperature range of Highly Saturated Nitrile, it happens to be most preferable material in Oil Industries.

Resistant to: H2S, CO2, Petroleum Oils

Nitrile (NBR) Buna-N & Low-Temp

Temperature range: Buna-N between -40°C and +135°C (intermittent up to +150°C); Low-Temp between -65°C and +120°C

Applications: Nitrile (NBR) is currently the most extensively used elastomer in the Fluid Seal Industry. Furthermore, Nitrile oil seals incorporate exquisite reluctance to hydraulic oils, water, silicone greases, petroleum-based oils and fluids, and alcohols. Nitrile presents great stability of working attributes such as high tensile strength, high abrasion resistance, and low compression set combined with low cost.

Resistant to: Water, Petroleum Oils & Fluids, Hydraulic Oils

Polyacrylate (ACM)

Temperature range: between -20°C and +150°C

Applications: Polyacrylate oil seals have superior high-temperature resistance than that of Nitrile. Therefore, they are ideal for high surface speed oil applications.

Resistant to: Freon, Petroleum Oils

Polyurethane (AU)

Temperature range: between -15°C and +85°C (intermittent/compound specific between -50°C and +100°C)

Applications: Polyurethane oil seals are used in high-stress hydraulic applications, in which highly pressured compounds are exposed to wear. Polyurethane, however,  presents a great high abrasion resistance qualities and high tensile strength.

Resistant to: Hydraulic Oils, Petroleum Oils

Silicone (VMQ)

Temperature range: between -60°C and 250°C (special grades up to +300°C)

Applications: Silicone (VMQ) oil seals present a high lubricant absorbency. It minimizes wear and friction in certain applications.

Resistant to: Number of Acids, Petroleum Oils

Simriz® (Perfluoroelastomer FFKM)

Temperature range: between -50°C and +327°C (intermittent up to +350°C; compound specific)

Applications: Simriz® oil seals are created of an elastomer, which has the widest chemical resistance our of all elastomer materials. They incorporate all the elasticity and sealing strength of an elastomer and chemical resistance similar to that of FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene).

Resistant to: Majority of chemicals

The above information had been derived from numerous sources and the ratings are therefore intended as a guide only. Users must test under their own operating conditions to determine the suitability of any compound in a particular application and temperature.

M Barnwell Services is the UK’s largest independent stockist, manufacturer, and distributor of fluid sealing products and services. For more information about Barnwell O Rings click here, or to download a brochure click here.
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E & OE. M Barnwell Services endeavours to make sure all the content is correct. Information has been gained from manufacturing partners.