O-rings are one of the most common mechanical seals you will find. Like any other mechanical seal, these rings are used to protect against leaks and to seal passages. According to Monroe Engineering, some types of O-rings can seal up to 5,000 PSI. There are several types of O-rings, and they even come in different materials. One of the most commonly used materials is polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. Let’s take a look at the advantages of PTFE o-rings.
Corrosion Resistance
One of the most significant advantages of a PTFE o ring is that the material used to make the ring is impervious to the majority of industrial chemicals. This makes the rings perfect for media that’s not compatible with rubber compounds and caustic or corrosive chemicals. This means if you have a problem with rubber compounds being attacked, you can solve the problem by switching to the corrosion-resistant PTFE o rings.
Long Shelf Life
If you are dealing with applications that require long-life or extended service intervals, it might be advisable to use a PTFE o-ring, especially if the environments in question are corrosive. While you can get away with using certain elastomers, they are only ideal for short-term or intermittent exposure. Using them for a long time will eventually lead to degradation, which can result in problems years down the road. On the other hand, PTFE’s resistance properties can withstand long periods of use.
Can Handle a Wide Temperature Range
This is another advantage of PTFE o-rings. They have an impressive temperature range of -325°F to 500°F. This is well beyond the majority of most elastomers. This makes them perfect for applications in high-temperature situations and in cryogenics. For instance, you can use them in combustion processes and in ovens where it would be impossible to use any other elastomers.
Other rubber compounds have a tendency to harden in extremely low-temperature conditions. The process of hardening will get to an extent where there are no longer any elastomeric properties in the material. This will make it impossible for the materials to keep serving as seals. On the other hand, PTFE will retain its pliability and flexibility even in extremely cold conditions.
These are some of the benefits of a PTFE o ring. Apart from the benefits listed above, the materials used have an unlimited shelf life and are not easily degraded by UV light.