Brewery Gasket Material Guide
Buna - Nitrile - NBR
Nitrile is one of the most common rubber sealing material used. Largely due to lower cost and resistance to many lubricants and greases. Nitrile generally holds up well to mineral oil-based lubricants and greases, hydraulic fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, silicone oils and hot water up to 175°F. Nitrile is not particularly effective with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, fuels with high aromatic content, ozone and aging.
Nitrile is one of the most common rubber sealing material used. Largely due to lower cost and resistance to many lubricants and greases. Nitrile generally holds up well to mineral oil-based lubricants and greases, hydraulic fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, silicone oils and hot water up to 175°F. 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) and steam (350°F) 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) and steam (350°F) 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 ideal for applications requiring a wide temperature range (-65°F to 390°F), especially where tear or abrasion resistance is not critical. Silicone materials are typically food-safe, but they do not hold up well to fuels, aromatic mineral oils, steam, silicone oil, acids, or alkalis
Silicone rubber is ideal for applications requiring a wide temperature range (-65°F to 390°F), especially where tear or abrasion resistance is not critical. Silicone materials are typically food-safe, but they do 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) 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) 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. Its higher durometer can make it 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. Its higher durometer can make it a harder material to seal. Often suitable for rotating applications. Typical Temp Range -250ºF to 450ºF.
Specialty Compounds
Metal Detectable Gaskets
Metal detectable tri clamp gaskets are made with elastomers that contain metal particles, allowing fragments to be identified by inline detection systems. They're ideal for reducing the risk of contamination in food and beverage processing. These gaskets provide the same reliable seal as standard Tri Clamp gaskets and are often used as an added safeguard during production. We offer metal detectable options in both PTFE and Buna.
Metal detectable tri clamp gaskets are made with elastomers that contain metal particles, allowing fragments to be identified by inline detection systems. They're ideal for reducing the risk of contamination in food and beverage processing. These gaskets provide the same reliable seal as standard Tri Clamp gaskets and are often used as an added safeguard during production. We offer metal detectable options in both PTFE and Buna.
Platinum Cured Silicone
Platinum-cured silicone gaskets are a top choice for both product transfer and clean-in-place (CIP) cycles, thanks to their high purity, flexibility, and resistance to heat and cleaning chemicals. Unlike regular silicone, they offer a cleaner, more stable material that holds up better to repeated use and sterilization, making them ideal for demanding sanitary applications.
Platinum-cured silicone gaskets are a top choice for both product transfer and clean-in-place (CIP) cycles, thanks to their high purity, flexibility, and resistance to heat and cleaning chemicals. Unlike regular silicone, they offer a cleaner, more stable material that holds up better to repeated use and sterilization, making them ideal for demanding sanitary applications.
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