Chemical resistance refers to the ability of a substance to maintain its integrity during chemical exposure for a specific period of time. Therefore, a product that is chemically resistant is able to protect itself against a chemical attack or solvent reaction without resulting in degradation or corrosion. The greater the chemical resistance, the lower the chance of corrosion.
If the right material isn’t used for your seal, it can result in cracking, swelling, softening, or premature wear, impacting the effectiveness and serviceability of the seal. This is especially problematic in applications involving harsh fluids, which can degrade seals by breaking down the chemical bonds. Because of this, applications involving chemicals, acids, solvents, buffers, and/or gas require chemical resistant seals made to withstand harsh operating conditions.
What Material is Best for Chemical Resistance?
Chemical resistance and chemical compatibility are critical factors in selecting the right material for your rubber moldings – and not all materials are created equal! For instance, fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM) has excellent chemical resistance whereas thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) has poor chemical resistance. Our material selection guide compares the advantages and disadvantages of different elastomers to find the best solution for your chemical resistant rubber moldings.
In general, elastomers have elastic properties that make them highly durable and able to withstand fluid exposure. We work with a range of elastomeric materials and blends, and many of those elastomers provide good to excellent chemical resistance to meet a wide variety of sealing needs. Some of these materials include:
- Chloroprene (Neoprene®)
- EPDM
- Fluorocarbon
- Fluorosilicone
- High strength rubber
- Nitrile (Buna N)
- Phenyl silicone
- SBR
- Silicone
Our experts can assist you with selecting a material based on your seal design and intended application.
Why Choose Our Chemical Resistant Seals?
We manufacture chemical resistant rubber moldings based on your design and material needs. Our seals are widely used in oil and gas, chemical processing, automotive, and other industries to prevent leaks and equipment failure in:
- Valves
- Pipes
- Pumps
- Mixers or agitators
Precision and repeatability are essential, which is why we make quality control a top priority. We make all seals in-house to ensure the tight tolerances and accurate profiles you require. We also hold several quality certifications and work with you to make sure your elastomeric products meet industry standards and specifications.
Request a quote to learn more about our molding capabilities and value-added services, or to discuss your industrial sealing needs.