There are still some professionals who ask us if we work with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) O-rings; an option that we discard in any case. Find out why O-rings made from FFPM are, without a doubt, our recommended option.
The speed with which the industry is advancing leaves a trail that is very difficult to follow. In order not to be left behind, all the agents involved in the process industry must respond in unison to the rhythms of an ever-changing market. It is in this reality of transformations and increasingly demanding needs that the materials used to build industrial parts and machinery must be even more resistant.
As a result, many companies have to offer new and more productive industrial solutions. This is where changes in production conditions come into play, which normally entail:
From the information presented in Tables 1 and 2 we draw the following conclusions:
- Higher temperatures.
- Increased pressures.
- More complex and long-lasting processes.
- Increased average time between maintenance checks.
If we focus on industries whose processes are directly linked to the use of aggressive chemicals, the above conditions become even more problematic. That is why we have decided to write this article; many users are still convinced that the PTFE O-rings are the perfect solution for high chemical aggressiveness services.O-rings: FFPM vs PTFE
Before we begin our reflection, we must ask ourselves what we are going to demand from an O-ring seal to make a good seal. Among other properties, probably the most important one, is that it must have a high elasticity. That is to say, that the O-ring immediately recovers its original shape when the load that deforms it ceases, so that, when this load is applied again, the O-ring is watertight again. That said, we share with you the following tables:
From the information presented in Tables 1 and 2 we draw the following conclusions:
- PTFE is a thermoplastic and, as such, its elasticity is very low compared to that of a rubber.
- Although both fluorinated materials have excellent chemical and high temperature resistance (PTFE up to +260 ºC / FFPM up to +327 ºC), the inherent elasticity of the FFPM elastomer make it the ideal choice as an O-ring material for process fluid sealing.
Now that we have reviewed why FFPM formulations are the most suitable for effective and durable sealing in the most demanding chemical resistance environments, let's see in which applications they are widely recommended:- In the chemical and process industry.
- In the pharmaceutical industry (biomedicine and life sciences).
- In the food industry.
- In R&D areas (semiconductors, biotechnology, aerospace, and others)
For more information about FFPM O-rings, do not hesitate to contact with our technical team of experts in the field that will be able to guide you in whatever you need.