Steam, also known as water vapor, is a gas composed of water molecules and is commonly used in many industrial settings such as heating, cooling, and power generation. It is also used in cooking, cleaning, and humidification.
When rubber is exposed to steam, it can be subject to swelling, softening, hardening, cracking, and embrittlement. Swelling occurs when rubber absorbs steam and its volume increases, resulting in a soft and spongy material. Hardening occurs when the steam causes polymers in the rubber to cross-link, creating a harder and more rigid material. Cracking occurs when the rubber is exposed to steam for a prolonged period of time, causing the rubber to become brittle. Lastly, embrittlement occurs when the rubber is exposed to steam at very high temperatures, causing the rubber to lose its elasticity and become brittle.
EPDM o-rings, or ethylene propylene o-rings, are a family of synthetic elastomers with lower cost steam and chemical resistance, particularly for applications involving solvents, acids and other mild chemicals. Marco Rubber has the world’s largest inventory network of EPDM o-rings and made on demand custom manufacturing often without tooling fees, so the EPDM o-rings you need are always available. Whether it’s for water systems, braking systems, medical, pharmaceutical, food or dairy use, you can count on Marco Rubber to deliver your o-rings fast and efficiently.
View some of our other material compatibility ratings with STEAM < 149°C/300°F. 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