Ammonia gas, cold (also known as anhydrous ammonia) is a colorless, odorless gas that is commonly used in industrial refrigeration processes. It is also used in the production of fertilizers and other agricultural products.
When rubber is exposed to ammonia gas, cold it can cause swelling, cracking, and other forms of physical damage. This is due to the ammonia's ability to break down the chemical bonds between the rubber molecules, causing the rubber to become brittle and lose its flexibility. Additionally, the cold temperature of the ammonia can cause corrosion and oxidation of the rubber, leading to further degradation of the material.
Buna-N o-rings also referred to as NBR o-rings and Nitrile o-rings are the most widely used o-ring material in the word because of low cost, good mechanical performance with resistance to water, most basic oils, lubricants and some fuels, many pneumatic, hydraulic systems, and the default choice for basic applications. Buna-N o-rings are not recommended for exposure to sunlight, UV light, ozone and general outdoor weathering or hash chemicals, acids, keytones and many others.
View some of our other material compatibility ratings with AMMONIA GAS, COLD. If you don't see what you're looking for or need more guidance, our team of experienced sealing design engineers can help select the best sealing products and material for your specific application.
View Full Chemical Compatibility Guide