How to Select Sealing Ring Materials Resistant to Chemical Corrosion

If you need to deal with a strong acid environment, fluororubber (FKM) or perfluoroether rubber (FFKM) should be chosen as the priority; if you need to handle a strong alkali environment, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or perfluoroether rubber (FFKM) are better options; if you need to deal with high temperature, high pressure and strong corrosive media, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or perfluoroether rubber (FFKM) are more suitable; if you need to balance cost and performance, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or chloroprene rubber (CR) can be used as alternative solutions. The following is a detailed analysis:

I. Common Materials and Characteristics of Chemical-Resistant Sealing Rings

1. Fluororubber (FKM):

Advantages: Excellent oil resistance, wear resistance, and high-temperature resistance. It can maintain stable performance in various corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.

Disadvantages: Poor tolerance to strong alkalis and high cost.

Applicable environments: Strong acid environments, especially in cases with high-temperature requirements.

2. Perfluoroalkoxy rubber (FFKM):

Advantages: Extremely superior chemical corrosion resistance, able to resist all types of acids, alkalis, solvents, and other chemicals, and remain stable in high-temperature environments.

Disadvantages: Extremely high cost.

Applicable environments: Strong acid, strong alkali, high-temperature, and highly corrosive environments.

3. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE):

Advantages: Extremely high chemical stability and corrosion resistance, hardly reacting with any acids, alkalis, solvents. PTFE can also withstand extremely high temperatures.

Disadvantages: Poor elasticity, requiring the combination of other elastomers to achieve better sealing effects.

Applicable environments: Sealing requirements in high-temperature, high-pressure, and highly corrosive media.

4. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM):

Advantages: Excellent performance in strong alkaline environments, especially suitable for applications in contact with alkaline solutions. EPDM also has good tolerance in certain concentrations of acidic solutions.

Disadvantages: Poor resistance to mineral oils and organic solvents.

Applicable environments: Strong alkaline environments, suitable for medium-low concentration acidic environments.

5. Chloroprene rubber (CR):

Advantages: Possesses certain chemical tolerance, performing well in medium-strength acid and alkali solutions. Chloroprene rubber also shows excellent antioxidant and ozone resistance, and has a relatively lower price.

Disadvantages: Not suitable for strong acid or strong alkali environments.

Applicable environments: Mild corrosive environments, oxidizing gas environments.

II. Considerations for Selecting Chemical-Resistant Sealing Ring Materials

1. Chemical Corrosion: Determine the main types of chemicals (acids, alkalis, or solvents) in the environment and their concentrations to ensure the chemical tolerance of the selected material.

2. Temperature Range: Environmental temperature is a key factor, especially in high-temperature scenarios, where the thermal stability of the material is crucial.

3. Mechanical Stress: Mechanical stress (such as compression, shear) generated during equipment operation needs to be considered. Materials with sufficient elasticity and strength should be selected.

4. Cost Factors: In cost-sensitive applications, high-end materials such as FFKM can be used locally, while lower-cost materials such as EPDM can be chosen in more relaxed areas.

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