{"id":1135,"date":"2026-10-22T09:50:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marcorubber.com\/blog\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:48:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:48:03","slug":"the-complete-guide-to-elastomer-seal-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marcorubber.com\/blog\/?p=1135","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to Elastomer Seal Materials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Elastomer Seal Materials Determine Seal Life <\/strong><\/h2>\n

A seal rarely fails because of its size. Instead, it usually fails because the material was wrong for
\nthe job. Chemicals swell it, steam hardens it, or plasma erodes it. As a result, choosing the right elastomer seal materials is the most important step in seal design.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide helps engineers and procurement teams make that choice with confidence. First, we cover the core polymer families. Next, we lay out the decision criteria that matter most. Finally, we give industry-specific recommendations for pharmaceutical, food, semiconductor, oil and gas, chemical processing,
\naerospace, and industrial equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the guide, we link to Marco Sealing Solutions<\/span><\/a> products, datasheets, and reference tools. That way, you can move from research to a quote in a few clicks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Core Families of Elastomer Seal Materials <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most industrial seals come from about ten polymer families. Each family has a clear sweet spot. However, individual compounds within a family can perform very differently. For that reason, always check the compound datasheet, not just the family name.<\/span><\/p>\n

The table below summarizes typical dry-air temperature ranges from Marco’s <\/span>O-Ring Material Quick Reference Guide<\/span><\/a>. Actual limits depend on media, pressure, and hardware.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Material<\/th>\nTypical Range (\u00b0F)<\/th>\nBest At<\/th>\nAvoid<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Buna-N (NBR)<\/a><\/td>\n-31 to 250 (specialty -70 to 275)<\/td>\nPetroleum oils, fuels, water<\/td>\nKetones, brake fluid, ozone, strong acids, UV exposure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HNBR<\/a><\/td>\n-30 to 325 (specialty -50 to 350)<\/td>\nHot oils, sour crude, abrasion<\/td>\nKetones, strong oxidizers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPDM<\/a><\/td>\n-65 to 300<\/td>\nHot water, steam, brake fluid, ketones<\/td>\nPetroleum oils and fuels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Viton\u00ae (FKM)<\/a><\/td>\n-15 to 437 (specialty -54 to 437)<\/td>\nFuels, oils, most acids, vacuum<\/td>\nKetones, amines, Skydrol, hot water (standard grades)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aflas\u00ae (FEPM)<\/a><\/td>\n25 to 450 (specialty 5 to 482)<\/td>\nAmines, bases, steam, sour oilfield fluids<\/td>\nKetones, Skydrol, low-molecular esters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silicone (VMQ)<\/a><\/td>\n-65 to 400 (specialty -100 to 500)<\/td>\nDry heat, wide temperature swings, non-toxic uses<\/td>\nAbrasion, ketones, acids, silicone oils<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)<\/a><\/td>\n-80 to 350<\/td>\nJet fuel and low temperature<\/td>\nAbrasion, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neoprene (CR)<\/a><\/td>\n-35 to 250<\/td>\nRefrigerants, ammonia<\/td>\nGasoline, ketones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polyurethane<\/a><\/td>\n-30 to 180 (specialty -65 to 300)<\/td>\nWear and extrusion in hydraulics<\/td>\nWater, acids, hot service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FFKM perfluoroelastomer<\/a><\/td>\n5 to 550 (specialty -50 to 650)<\/td>\nNearly universal chemical resistance, highest heat<\/td>\nMolten alkali metals, some fluorinated fluids<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In addition, two plastic options fill important gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n