Seal resistant to oil, chemicals & heat – comparison + selection

Short answer: For combinations of oil, chemicals and high temperatures, FKM is considered the most capable standard solution. For extremely aggressive media or very high temperatures, PTFE or high-performance materials such as FFKM take over.

Quick decision:

• Oil + high temperature → FKM or HNBR
• Aggressive chemicals → PTFE or FFKM
• Oil + standard conditions → NBR
• Water, steam, outdoor area → EPDM

Seals secure processes, protect systems and prevent media leakage. Depending on the application, different materials and manufacturing processes are used – from classic elastomers to precise cut pieces and special solutions.

For many applications, an individual matching of the seal to material, shape and load is worthwhile. Custom-made solutions offer significantly longer service lives than standard products. As soon as oil, aggressive chemicals and high temperatures come together, the requirements rise considerably. In such environments, it quickly becomes apparent which material works reliably in the long term and which fails early. The choice of the right sealing material directly influences operational safety, maintenance intervals and the service life of entire systems.

Requirements for seals with oil, chemicals and heat

In industrial applications with aggressive media and high temperatures, it becomes apparent that standard seals quickly reach their limits. Particularly combinations of chemical exposure and thermal influence lead to material changes that result in leaks in the long term.

Seals for such areas of application must be specifically designed for resistance. High-performance materials such as FKM, PTFE or FFKM are preferably used here, as they keep their properties stable even under extreme conditions.

In practice, several loads act on a seal at the same time. Oils and fuels change the material structure, chemicals specifically attack materials and high temperatures considerably accelerate ageing processes. This combination requires materials that keep their properties stable over a long period.

A suitable sealing material must therefore be resistant to media, retain its elasticity and also react dimensionally stable under thermal load. In addition, compression set, Shore hardness and ageing resistance play a central role.

Materials at a glance

NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber)

NBR is one of the classic materials in mechanical engineering. The material offers reliable resistance to oils and fuels and is suitable for many industrial standard applications.

Typical temperature range: approximately -30 °C to +100 °C

In hydraulic systems and oil-carrying systems, NBR shows stable performance and convinces through cost-effectiveness.

FKM (fluororubber, Viton)

FKM covers a broad spectrum of demanding requirements. The material offers very high resistance to oils, fuels and numerous chemicals and remains stable even at temperatures up to approximately +200 °C.

Typical temperature range: approximately -20 °C to +200 °C

FKM is suitable for applications with high requirements for temperature and media resistance.

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber)

EPDM shows high resistance to water, steam and many chemicals. The material is frequently used in applications with weather exposure or water.

Typical temperature range: approximately -40 °C to +150 °C

HNBR (hydrogenated NBR)

HNBR represents a further development of NBR and combines oil resistance with higher temperature stability.

Typical temperature range: approximately -30 °C to +150 °C

The material is suitable for applications in which NBR reaches its thermal limits.

FFKM (perfluororubber)

FFKM is one of the high-end materials in the sealing sector. The material offers maximum resistance to aggressive chemicals and extreme temperatures.

Typical temperature range: up to over +300 °C

Used above all in highly critical processes of the chemical and semiconductor industry.

Direct comparison of the most important materials

Material	Oil resistance	Chemical resistance	Temperature range	Typical application
NBR	high	medium	-30 to +100 °C	Hydraulics, mechanical engineering
HNBR	high	medium	-30 to +150 °C	Automotive, increased temperature
FKM	very high	very high	-20 to +200 °C	Chemicals, engines, industry
EPDM	low	high	-40 to +150 °C	Water, steam, outdoor area
FFKM	extremely high	extremely high	up to +300 °C	High-end chemicals, semiconductors

NBR vs FKM vs EPDM – when which material?

The selection results from the specific application:

• Oil + medium temperatures → NBR
• Oil + high temperatures → FKM or HNBR
• Chemicals + high temperatures → FKM
• Very aggressive chemicals → PTFE or FFKM
• Water and steam → EPDM

High-performance materials for extreme conditions

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

PTFE shows an exceptionally broad chemical resistance and remains stable even at temperatures up to approximately +260 °C. The material is suitable for aggressive media and applications with high thermal load.

Graphite and metal seals

Metallic and graphite-based seals are used at extreme temperatures and pressures. They offer maximum structural stability and are used in power plants, chemical plants and high-pressure systems.

Practical examples from industry

In a hydraulic press with constant contact with oil and moderate temperatures, NBR provides a cost-effective solution. If temperatures rise considerably, the material choice frequently switches to FKM in order to achieve longer service lives.

In chemical plants with aggressive media, the use of PTFE is frequently seen, as classic elastomers quickly reach their limits here. With simultaneously high temperatures and chemical exposure, FKM or FFKM is increasingly used.

In the engine sector, for example with seals in the oil circuit, FKM has become established as the standard, as both high temperatures and oil resistance are required here.

Typical areas of application

• Hydraulic systems and mechanical engineering with oil-containing media: use of NBR or FKM
• Chemical industry and aggressive process media: preferably FKM, PTFE or FFKM
• High-temperature applications in engines and thermal systems: FKM or HNBR
• Extreme temperature and pressure ranges: metallic or graphite-based seals
• Water, steam and outdoor applications: EPDM

Selection criteria for the right seal

In projects, it regularly becomes apparent that the greatest problems arise from seemingly small wrong decisions in material selection. Particularly in complex systems with changing temperatures and different media, unsuitable materials quickly lead to failures.

The selection is based on a combination of medium, temperature, pressure and mechanical load. In addition, service life requirements and maintenance cycles influence the decision.

In practice, it frequently becomes apparent that incorrectly selected materials become brittle, swell or lose their sealing effect after only a short time. Particularly with combinations of temperature and chemical exposure, damage frequently occurs that can be avoided by a more precise material selection.

Companies therefore increasingly rely on application-specific solutions instead of standard materials. The more precisely the requirements are defined, the more stable the entire process runs.

Note from practice: Seals should always be matched exactly to the application. Standard solutions frequently lead to increased wear and unplanned downtime.

Individual solutions: Depending on the application, seals can be manufactured as a cut piece or special shape and matched exactly to the medium, temperature and installation situation.

Mistakes in material selection

• Incorrect matching of the material to the medium used
• Insufficient consideration of the real temperature range
• Neglect of pressure conditions and dynamic loads
• Underestimation of ageing and long-term behaviour
• Missing assessment of combined loads from temperature and chemistry

In conclusion

For applications with oil, chemicals and heat, FKM is a material available that offers very broad coverage in many industrial scenarios. The combination of high media resistance and temperature stability makes FKM the preferred choice in practice for mechanical engineering, chemical plants and thermally loaded systems. As soon as the requirements rise further, for example through particularly aggressive chemicals or permanently high temperatures, the selection shifts towards PTFE or FFKM.

The specific application is always decisive. Medium, temperature profile, pressure and mechanical load act together on the seal. An isolated consideration of individual factors frequently leads to wrong decisions. Only the coordinated assessment of all influencing variables enables a reliable material selection and stable processes over long periods.

In practice, it becomes apparent that individually matched sealing solutions achieve significantly longer service lives than standard versions. Dimensionally accurate cut pieces, adapted material compounds and consideration of the real installation situation ensure reliable sealing and reduce maintenance effort as well as failure risks.

Frequently asked questions

Which seal is resistant to oil, chemicals and heat?

For many industrial applications, FKM is considered a particularly capable solution, as this material offers high resistance to oil, many chemicals and temperatures up to approximately 200 °C. For extremely aggressive media or very high temperatures, PTFE or FFKM are frequently used.

When is NBR suitable as a sealing material?

NBR is suitable above all for applications with oil, fuels and moderate temperatures. Typical areas of application are hydraulic systems, mechanical engineering and technical standard applications with a cost-effectiveness focus.

Which seal is suitable for aggressive chemicals?

For aggressive chemicals, PTFE or FFKM are frequently used. These materials offer very high chemical resistance and are suitable for particularly demanding processes in industry and plant engineering.

Which seal withstands high temperatures?

For high temperatures, depending on the application, FKM, HNBR, PTFE as well as metallic or graphite-based seals are suitable. The right choice additionally depends on the medium, pressure and mechanical load.

Is EPDM suitable for oil?

EPDM is suitable above all for water, steam and many chemical media. For oil-containing applications, this material is generally unsuitable, as it has low resistance to oil.

What is the difference between FKM and FFKM?

FKM is a very capable standard solution for many industrial applications with oil, chemicals and heat. FFKM is designed to an even higher standard and is used above all where extremely aggressive media, very high temperatures and maximum resistance are required.

Why is the right material selection for seals so important?

The material selection directly influences the service life, sealing effect and operational safety of a system. A precisely matched seal reduces wear, avoids downtime and ensures a more reliable process.

Our rubber sheets

For industry and trade, we offer a wide variety of rubber sheets.

SBR rubber sheet

Our high-quality SBR rubber sheet (styrene butadiene rubber) is the solution for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This rubber sheet is manufactured from first-class styrene butadiene rubber and is characterised by its outstanding physical properties.

EPDM rubber sheet

Discover the versatility and reliability of our EPDM rubber sheet, which is manufactured from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). This high-quality elastomer solution has been specially developed to meet the most demanding industrial and commercial applications.

NBR rubber sheet

The NBR rubber sheet is a high-quality industrial product that has been specially developed for applications where excellent resistance to oils, greases and various chemicals is required.

Viton rubber sheet

The Viton rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is used for a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured from fluororubber (FKM), it offers outstanding properties that make it the ideal choice for extreme conditions.

FKM rubber sheet

The FKM rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is ideally suited for use in demanding industrial applications. Made from fluororubber (FKM), it is characterised by a large number of outstanding properties that make it the optimum choice for extreme operating conditions.

Silicone rubber sheet

The silicone rubber sheet is a first-class technical product that has been specially developed for applications that place high demands on temperature resistance and flexibility.

PUR rubber sheet

The PUR rubber sheet, made from high-quality polyurethane, is a technically advanced product that has been developed for applications that place the highest demands on abrasion resistance and mechanical load capacity.

Neoprene rubber sheet

The neoprene rubber sheet, manufactured from high-quality chloroprene rubber (CR), is a versatile technical product that is ideally suited for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.