High-Temperature O-Rings
Manufacturers design high-temperature O-rings to endure the most demanding environments while retaining reliable sealing performance. These products are capable of withstanding temperatures of 302 °F (150 °C) or higher. Depending on the material they use, companies can meet a variety of other pressure and chemical resistance requirements, as well.
However, there are a limited number of materials that are truly suitable for these harsh conditions. Read on to learn more about high-temperature O-ring material options, common applications for these products, and how O-rings from Arizona Sealing Devices, Inc. can support your operations with secure sealing and leakage protection.
Materials for High-Temperature O-Rings
Every O-ring material has its own temperature limitations and beneficial properties. At Arizona Sealing Devices, we offer a full range of high-temperature O-rings designed to meet highly specialized applications.
Silicone
Silicone O-rings are non-toxic and highly resistant to weathering and UV radiation. Standard silicone can withstand temperatures of 450 °F (204 °C) or, with added high-temperature compounds, up to 500 °F (260 °C).
Typical silicone O-ring applications include:
- Food and beverage processing and production
- Healthcare devices, particularly those involving direct human contact
- High-temperature steam handling
- Sealing applications in marine or outdoor environments
- Thermal cycling processes
- Food and beverage processing and production
- High-temperature steam handling
- Thermal cycling processes
- Healthcare devices, particularly those involving direct human contact
- Sealing applications in marine or outdoor environments
Viton
Viton O-rings are suitable for temperatures as high as 400 °F (204 °C). This material is abundantly available, and it also costs less to produce O-rings from it compared to other high-temperature materials like FFKM. Additionally, Viton is highly resistant to acids as well as common solvents, fuels, and oils.
Some of the most common applications for Viton O-rings include:
- Automotive systems
- Equipment for processing chemicals
- Heavy equipment systems
- Drilling machinery for oil and gas projects
- Automotive systems
- Heavy equipment systems
- Equipment for processing chemicals
- Drilling machinery for oil and gas projects
Flexible graphite is typically found in such applications as:
- Nuclear energy systems
- Propulsion systems and engines for aerospace projects
- Residential, commercial, or industrial ovens
- Mechanical system vibration and thermal management applications
- Nuclear energy systems
- Residential, commercial, or industrial ovens
- Propulsion systems and engines for aerospace projects
- Mechanical system vibration and thermal management applications
Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
O-rings made from perfluoroelastomer, or FFKM, are considered to be among the best high-temp. O-rings available. This is due to the material’s exceptional performance in a wide temperature range as well as its compatibility with myriad chemicals. Standard FFKM materials can endure temperatures up to 550 °F (287 °C), or as high as 650 °F (343 °C) with high-temperature compounds.
Some of the most common applications for FFKM O-rings include:
- Aggressive solvent sealing
- Material processing and handling in the chemical industry
- Downhole investigations and drilling in the oil and gas sector
- Wet processing, chemical vapor deposition, etching, and related applications in the semiconductor industry
- Aggressive solvent sealing
- Downhole investigations and drilling in the oil and gas sector
- Material processing and handling in the chemical industry
- Wet processing, chemical vapor deposition, etching, and related applications in the semiconductor industry
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
PTFE O-rings can endure temperatures up to 450 °F (232 °C) or 500 °F (260 °C) with high-temperature compounds. They perform exceptionally well in both high- and low-temperature conditions, however, so they’re a great option for applications involving thermal cycling. PTFE also has a very low coefficient of friction, and since it’s chemically inert, the material is compatible with virtually any chemical.
Typical uses for PTFE O-rings include:
- Applications requiring low-friction movement
- Applications necessitating strict cleanliness, such as food and beverage processing or healthcare
- High-pressure applications as back-up rings
- Applications requiring low-friction movement
- High-pressure applications as back-up rings
- Applications necessitating strict cleanliness, such as food and beverage processing or healthcare
Six Critical Properties High-Temperature O-Rings Must Have
While each material offers unique performance characteristics, there are six essential properties that every high-temperature O-ring must have:
Flexible Material Construction
Resistance To High And Low Temperatures
Lasting, Durable Strength
Resistance To Water And Moisture
Low Coefficient Of Friction
Physical And Chemical Inertia
Common High-Temperature O-Ring Industries and Applications
High-temperature O-rings from Arizona Sealing Devices are applicable throughout some of the world's most challenging industries, enduring harsh conditions without losing their sealing ability.
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Aerospace
Aerospace
Learn MoreThe aerospace sector uses O-rings within planes’ engines, fuel systems, and a range of hydraulic systems. These applications involve extreme heat and high pressures, requiring components that can withstand such conditions without degrading or weakening. As aerospace O-rings can be the difference between a successful mission and catastrophic failure, these products must meet stringent quality and performance standards.
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Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Learn MoreO-rings within gaskets, seals, valves, and pumps prevent liquids or gases from leaking. Many mechanical engineering applications like these involve extremely hot and/or highly pressurized systems and moving parts, which require durable and long-lasting O-rings for dependable leak protection.
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Electronics and Semiconductors
Electronics and Semiconductors
Learn MoreHigh-temperature O-rings are applicable throughout many aspects of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. For example, they help create a vacuum-tight seal in vacuum chambers, separate the atmosphere outside from the internal heat in furnace tubing, and keep contamination from occurring in wafer processing machinery.
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Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas
Learn MoreDue to the expensive and dangerous nature of drilling operations, components and equipment like valves, downhole tooling, drill bits, drill strings, and wellheads must perform dependably. The right high-temperature O-ring can make all the difference in maintaining a reliable seal under harsh conditions and preventing leaking or malfunctioning equipment.
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Food and Beverage
Food and Beverage
Learn MoreIn the food and beverage market, high-temperature O-rings support safe operations and quality products. They prevent process gases from escaping processing machinery, helping to eliminate the risk of contamination. They’re also common to seals and valves within systems for this industry, where O-rings not only minimize leakages but aid systems in holding consistent pressure. In addition to resisting heat, O-rings for food and beverage applications must be non-toxic and compatible with products intended for human consumption.
Need High-Temperature O-Rings?
Contact Arizona Sealing Devices Today!
Standard O-rings have many uses, but applications involving extreme heat and pressure, highly corrosive chemicals, and other harsh conditions necessitate a more robust solution. For these tasks, a high-temperature O-ring manufactured from durable materials is critical for meeting your performance requirements.
As an ISO 9001:2015- and AS9120B-certified sealing solutions distributor, Arizona Sealing Devices offers an extensive selection of high-quality O-rings and service capabilities. Since 1989, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s most demanding industries to resolve their sealing challenges.
Our expert team has carefully researched each of our product offerings to ensure peak performance in an intended application for unsurpassed customer satisfaction. Whether you need O-rings, gaskets, caps, plugs, or kits, we can help you find the right product, design, material, and size for your needs. We also offer value-added services like custom packaging, assembly, kitting, and inventory management so that Arizona Sealing Devices can be your single-source service provider.
Contact us for assistance when searching for the right high-temperature O-ring for your application, or request a quote today on your ideal sealing product.
An ISO9001: 2015/AS9120B Certified Distributor
Our mission is to provide high quality components and a progressive approach to customer service that has led to a tremendous expansion in product offerings. Our qualified professionals at Arizona Sealing Devices, Inc. take the time to research the components we provide, as well as the applications we provide them for.