Which O-Ring Works Best For Your Industry?

Nitrile 

Nitrile (Buna-N) has great resistance to petroleum and oil products, superior compression set, tear, and abrasion resistance. However, it does not wear very well in sunlight or ozone. Nitrile isn’t known to have the greatest chemical resistance but is known to have excellent petroleum and oil resistance. Because of Nitrile’s many good qualities, it has been deemed a general-purpose elastomer and has become one of the most widely used O-Ring materials. Nitrile is used in many industries such as:

• Hydraulic Systems
• Oil, Gas, Petroleum
• Water Systems
• Automotive
• Military
• General Use

Ethylene Propylene

Ehtylene Propylene is a great material to be used in many different fields, especially when it comes to commercial aircraft. It offers great ozone, water, steam, acid, and base resistance. However, it lacks in petroleum sealing. Temperature ranges -65ºF to 300ºF. Ethylene Propylene carries a special resistance to Skydrol® fluids which are commonly used in commercial aircraft hydraulic systems. Ethylene Propylene offers great resistance for ozone, water, steam, acids, and alkalies. This material is not great with petroleum sealing, however, they are wonderful in these industries:

• Pharmaceutical
• Medical
• Food Grade

Urethane (Polyurethane) 

Urethane overall is a great material that has a lot of resistive properties such as hydraulic fluids, oil, grease, chemicals, ozone, and oxygen. Meanwhile, it can endure high pressures and is resistant to cracking and cuts. Urethane is resistant to weathering, ozone, and oxygen. This material also has good resistance to oil and petroleum products and hydrocarbon fuels. This material is frequently used in:

• Firearms
• Fluid Transfer Systems
• Hydraulics
• Pneumatic Systems
• Cylinders
• Valve Systems

Elastomers can serve a variety of uses in an unlimited amount of industries. From aerospace, fluid supplies, food and dairy, industrial hydraulics, marine, medical, oil, gas, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor, there are a vast number of industries to be served. However, if not stored properly, any elastomer will fail with ease. Check out our Knowledge Base blog to see how to properly store elastomers to ensure their longevity. With custom sizes, a variety of materials, and great customer service, let APG be your fluid sealing and conveyance provider.   Contact Us or look at our Knowledge Base for up to date articles of our elastomers.