POTASSIUM CARBONATE Resistant O-Rings and Seals

Potassium carbonate, also known as potash, is a white powdery material with a slightly salty taste. It is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers. In the food industry, it is used as a food additive for flavor enhancement and as a preservative.

When exposed to potassium carbonate, rubber materials may experience a variety of failures such as swelling, cracking, and loss of elasticity. Natural rubber, EPDM, and neoprene rubbers are particularly susceptible to the effects of the chemical and may experience significant degradation in a short time. On the other hand, nitrile, silicone, and fluoroelastomer rubbers may be more resistant to the chemical and remain unaffected. The severity of the failure also depends on the type of rubber, the concentration of the chemical, and the length of exposure.