Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a colorless, flammable liquid that is used in the production of formaldehyde, acetic acid, and other industrial chemicals. It is also used as an automotive fuel and a solvent in the production of paints, varnishes, and inks.
When rubber is exposed to methanol, it can cause swelling, softening, and discoloration. Additionally, prolonged exposure to methanol can cause rubber to become brittle and to lose its strength and elasticity. The presence of air or water vapor can also accelerate the degradation of rubber when exposed to this chemical. In some cases, the rubber can become so brittle that it is no longer usable.
Fluorosilicone o-rings are a hybrid of silicone and FKM resulting in great jet fuel resistance with high and low temperature performance. Also widely used in semiconductor Ashing equipment with strong resistance to oxygen plasma, FVMQ fluorosilicone o-rings also feature excellent flexibility, compression resistance, aging and sunlight resistance, and overall wide range of basic chemical resistance.
View some of our other material compatibility ratings with METHANOL. 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.
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