PTFE O-Ring

There are many things that you may have read about PTFE o-rings in terms of its use within application conditions that are highly corrosive, have high levels of friction or temperature and other elastomers don’t cut the mustard. However, we have put together some information relating to PTFE o-rings and how you might actually be better off using FEP or PFA instead.

Within the industry there is often a misconception from clients when it comes to requesting PTFE o-rings. Quite often, we have received requests for the product, as the client needs an o-ring that offers resistance to temperatures, is chemically inert, but also contains compression attributes. In these cases it is actually an FEP or PFA encapsulated o-ring that is the correct solution, rather than a PTFE o-ring.

So, why is it that FEP and PFA are the perfect alternative in these cases?

FEP, PFA and PTFE can all be described as a fluoropolymer. The difference is that PTFE products are not melt-processable. They are made through a sintered powder process into solid rods that are then turned into 0-rings and other products. This means that a PTFE encapsulated o-ring doesn’t actually exist.

Although FEP and PFA are both fluoropolymer they are melt-processable and that is the key difference with PTFE. It allows for encapsulated o-ring manufacturers to develop the product using FEP or PFA as a cover for the o-rings, surrounding the Viton or silicon core.

You do receive an o-ring that is heavily resistant to temperature and corrosive chemicals when purchasing a PTFE solid o-ring, but with an FEP or PFA encapsulated o-ring you have a product that possesses both of those attributes, but also offers compression characteristics due to the elastomeric core.

Encapsulated PTFE O-Rings by NES

We provide FEP and PFA encapsulated o-rings that are the perfect alternative should you have been here looking for PTFE o-rings. As you can see from above, there are a few good reasons why you might want to choose an FEP or PFA encapsulated o-ring, without being taken in by the industry bias surrounding PTFE o-rings. Contact our team for more information and we’ll be able to offer expert advice and guidance, helping you to choose the correct product for your specific applications and use.