Oct. 13, 2023
In oil and gas applications, sealing devices are critical to prevent unwanted dirt, water, dust or other debris from contaminating products. When it comes to finding the right seal for these applications, material selection is key. Every rubber material has unique benefits that must align with the requirements in oil applications, such as chemical compatibility, temperature and pressure ranges.
Apple Rubber recommends the following rubber materials for oil applications. For more information about each material, visit our Material Selection Guide.
Nitrile is the sealing industries most economical and widely used material. It’s most commonly used in a wide range of oil applications, as well as automotive, marine, aircraft fuel and military applications. The most notable benefits of Nitrile for oil seals include:
Resistance to petroleum-based oil and fuel, silicone greases, hydraulic fluid and water
Low compression set
High tensile strength
Excellent abrasion resistance
Standard temperatures range from -40°F to 257°F
Viton® is a synthetic rubber typically used in o-rings, gaskets, lip seals and other molded sealing devices for oil applications. High fluorine grades of Viton® offer excellent resistance to swell in high octane and oxygenated fuel blends, making it the ideal sealing material for ethanol/methanol blended gasoline. Other important benefits of Viton® include:
Standard temperatures range from -13°F to 446°F
High temperature resistance
Chemical resistance to transmission fluid, gasoline and petroleum oils
Silicone offers one of the widest working temperature ranges of all elastomers. Silicone is most known for its flexibility and low compression set characteristics, making it an optimal choice for o-rings and other molded seals. The most important benefits of silicone in oil applications include:
Standard temperatures range from -85°F to 400°F
Phenyl (PVMQ) based silicones can perform to -148°F
Resistant to ozone, sun and weather conditions
Flexibility allows Silicone to be a great option for electrical insulation
Fluorosilicone combines the temperature stability of silicone with resistance to fuels, oils and solvents. Fluorosilicone is most often used in aerospace fuel applications and automotive fuel emission control, however it is becoming increasingly popular in a wider range of oil applications. Some of the unique characteristics of fluorosilicone include:
Standard temperatures range from 75°F to 400°F.
Excellent high temperature resistance
Offers good compression set properties
Withstands exposure to sun, air and ozone
Resistant to chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons
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The Best Sealing Materials for Oil Applications
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There are many different materials used to manufacture oil seals. For more details about size, type, material, and application specific Rotary & Oil Seals, please check out our Oil Seals Catalog.
We manufacture Rotary Shaft Seals, Fabric reinforced oil seals, Heavy-duty oil seals, as well as high pressure oil seals to meet industry demand from across different sectors specific applications.
Choosing and using the proper sealing devices within oil and gas applications can be vital when preventing dirt, dust, water, and other debris from potentially getting inside and contaminating products.
Of course, all rubber materials and seals will provide a range of benefits; however, you will need to consider chemical compatibility, sufficient temperature ranges, pressure ranges, and more.
At specialistsealingproducts.co.uk, we have a range of o rings and gaskets available to suit various applications across a multitude of sectors. We work with clients to understand all needs and requirements, providing further information where required.
Below, you will find a range of o ring materials outlining the properties and benefits so you can make an informed decision for your application.
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Oil seals applications
Oil seals can also be known as rotary shafts seals, shaft seals, lip seals, elastomeric seals, and more.
Ultimately, oil seals are devices that help to exclude dust and dirt, etc., while at all times retaining the lubricant in the piece of equipment.
Oil seal materials
Nitrile (also known as Buna N)
The most common and economical material within the sealing industry, Nitrile, is used in many oil applications, the automotive sector for aircraft fuel applications, military and marine applications, and more.
The main benefits of Nitrile when opting for use as an oil seal includes:
It is petroleum-based oil and fuel resistant
Resistant to silicone greases, water, and hydraulic fluid
It offers a low compression set
Has a high tensile strength
Abrasion-resistant
Can sustain temperature ranges from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 257 degrees Fahrenheit.
Viton (Fluorocarbon)
A synthetic rubber used in gaskets, o rings, lip seals, and other moulded devices, Viton offers sealing properties for a range of oil-based applications. Viton with high fluorine grades will also produce excellent resistance to swell, especially in oxygenated fuel and high-octane blends.
In these instances, Viton can be the perfect sealing material for methanol/ethanol-blended gasoline.
The benefits of Viton include:
Can sustain a temperature range from -13 degrees Fahrenheit to 446 degrees Fahrenheit
It is resistant to high temperatures
Resistant to various chemicals such as transmission fluid, petroleum oils, and gasoline
It can be modified for applications with large chemical exposure and hard vacuums.
Silicone
Out of all of the elastomers, silicone offers you the widest range of working temperature ranges. Renowned for its flexibility and low compression set capabilities, silicone is the optimal choice for o rings and other moulded seals.
The benefits of silicone include:
It offers a temperature range from -85 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
It is ozone, weather, and sun resistant
Phenyl based silicones can perform to -148 degrees Fahrenheit
It is completely flexible (making it great for electrical insulation).
Fluorosilicone
An oil seal type that is resistant to oils, fuels, and solvents, fluorosilicone also offers temperature stability. Primarily found in aerospace fuel applications and automotive fuel emission control, this o ring material is fast becoming popular in more and more oil-based applications across a wide spectrum of industries.
Benefits include:
A temperature range from 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
It is resistant to high temperatures
It has good compression set properties
It can withstand exposure to ozone, air, and sun
It is chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbon resistant.
Atlas
Aflas is created from fluoroelastomers (FKM), providing the following benefits:
Temperature range from -10 degrees Celsius to 205 degrees Celsius
Resistant to steam, petroleum oils, amine corrosion inhibitors, and hydrogen sulphide.
Carboxylate Nitrile
These oil seals are created from a low-temperature tolerant compound. Benefits include:
Temperature range from -55 degrees Celsius to 135 degrees Celsius
Resistant to abrasion, water, and petroleum oils
Low temperature tolerant.
Propylene (fluorinated ethylene)
This tough, chemically inert polymer has a wide working scope as well as:
A temperature range of -55 degrees Celsius to 205 degrees Celsius
Resistant to the majority of chemicals
Ideal for static and slow intermittent dynamic applications.
Hydrogenated Nitrile/Highly saturated Nitrile
This is often the material of choice for the oil industry due to the extensive temperature range the material can sustain. Benefits include:
Temperature range from -30 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius
Petroleum oil and sour gas resistant
Resistant to H25 and CO2.
Polyacrylate
Offering a much more superior temperature resistance, polyacrylate seals are perfect for applications such as high surface speed oil. Benefits include:
Temperature range from -20 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius
Resistant to petroleum oils and Freon.
Polyurethane
Typically used in hydraulic high-stress applications where compounds under high pressure are exposed to wear, the benefits of polyurethane seals include:
Temperature range between -15 degrees Celsius to 185 degrees Celsius
Abrasion-resistant
Offers a high degree of strength
Petroleum oils and hydraulic oil resistance.
Perfluoroelastomer FFKM
An elastomer that has the broadest resistance to chemicals, elasticity, and a roust sealing strength, FFKM benefits also include:
Temperature range of -50 degrees Celsius to 327 degrees Celsius
Resistant to the vast majority of chemicals.
To find the right o ring and gasket for your oil-based application, look no further than the o ring suppliers, Specialist Sealing Products. On hand to provide you with the best information, call a member of our team today on 01535 274 776.
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FOUNDED IN 1993
China SBT Oil Seal is an international company integrating design, research and development, production and processing.
No. 68, Hua'an Street, Renze District, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, China
+86 188 0309 4557
Won many honorary certificates through a number of patented inventions
