Beverage and Brewery Gasket Material Guide
Buna - Nitrile - NBR
Nitrile is probably the most common rubber sealing material used. Mostly because of cost, but also because of its resistance to lubricants and greases. Nitrile generally holds up well to mineral oil-based lubricants and greases, hydraulic fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, silicone oils and hot water to 175°F (80°C). Nitrile is not particularly effective with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, fuels with high aromatic content, ozone and aging.
Nitrile is probably the most common rubber sealing material used. Mostly because of cost, but also because of its resistance to lubricants and greases. Nitrile generally holds up well to mineral oil-based lubricants and greases, hydraulic fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, silicone oils and hot water to 175°F (80°C). Nitrile is not particularly effective with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, fuels with high aromatic content, ozone and aging.
EPDM - Ethylene-Propylene
EPDM is an excellent choice for hot water (300°F / 100°C) and steam (350°F / 175°C) applications. It also exhibits good resistance to detergents, potassium hydroxide solutions (potash), sodium hydroxide (lye), silicone oil and greases, polar solvents and diluted acids. The wide range of compatibility makes EPDM a great choice for almost any sealing application; however it does not stand up well to mineral oil products.
EPDM is an excellent choice for hot water (300°F / 100°C) and steam (350°F / 175°C) applications. It also exhibits good resistance to detergents, potassium hydroxide solutions (potash), sodium hydroxide (lye), silicone oil and greases, polar solvents and diluted acids. The wide range of compatibility makes EPDM a great choice for almost any sealing application; however it does not stand up well to mineral oil products.
Silicone - VMQ
Silicone rubber is best suited in applications that require a wide temperature range (-65°F / -55°C - 390°F / 200°C), without the need for tear and abrasion resistance. However, the materials used to make silicone are generally harmless to ingest, so the typical silicone compound is inherently FDA compliant. Silicone does not hold up well to fuels, aromatic mineral oils, steam, silicone oil, acids or alkalis.
Silicone rubber is best suited in applications that require a wide temperature range (-65°F / -55°C - 390°F / 200°C), without the need for tear and abrasion resistance. However, the materials used to make silicone are generally harmless to ingest, so the typical silicone compound is inherently FDA compliant. Silicone does not hold up well to fuels, aromatic mineral oils, steam, silicone oil, acids or alkalis.
Viton® - FKM
FKM is well known for its high chemical and fuel resistance. It holds up well in mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It also has excellent high temperature properties (390°F / 200°C) but is not recommended for hot water or steam applications. FKM also does not withstand polar solvents, glycol-based brake fluids or low molecular weight organic acids (formic. acetic, propionic, lactic, n-butyric and isobutyric).
FKM is well known for its high chemical and fuel resistance. It holds up well in mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It also has excellent high temperature properties (390°F / 200°C) but is not recommended for hot water or steam applications. FKM also does not withstand polar solvents, glycol-based brake fluids or low molecular weight organic acids (formic. acetic, propionic, lactic, n-butyric and isobutyric).
Teflon® - PTFE
PTFE is resistance to many chemicals and a wide temperature range. Durometer is typically higher so a harder material to seal. Often suitable for rotating applications. Typical Temp Range -250ºF to 450ºF.
PTFE is resistance to many chemicals and a wide temperature range. Durometer is typically higher so a harder material to seal. Often suitable for rotating applications. Typical Temp Range -250ºF to 450ºF.
Rubber Chemical Compatibility Reference
Brewery Gaskets partners with Marco Rubber & Plastics to offer compatibility information for the most common sealing material families. Use the link below to view chemical compatibility for thousands of chemicals such as cleaning agents, caustics, and more. Please Contact Us with any questions or for more information.
Rubber Chemical Compatibility Guide (link will open in a new window)
Note: The information presented here is a general guide and represents typical values that can vary with grade, application, and environment. It is intended for reference purposes only. No representations, guarantees, or warranties of any kind are made regarding its accuracy or suitability for any particular purpose. Users are advised to conduct their own evaluations for their intended application.
Viton® is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company
Teflon® is a registered trademark of the Chemours Company