White lye is another name for white liquor and is composed primarily of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. It is commonly used in the papermaking process and for wastewater treatment.
When rubber is exposed to white lye, the rubber can become brittle and crack due to a decrease in strength and durability. This is because the alkaline solution in the white lye can break down the rubber molecules, leading to a decrease in the rubber's physical properties. Additionally, the high alkalinity of the white lye can cause swelling and softening of the rubber, leading to an increased risk of failure.
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 WHITE LYE. 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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