How to choose the right rubber material to make seals
Choosing the right rubber material for seals requires consideration of several key factors:
Conditions of use: Consider the objects that the seal will come into contact with, including liquids, gases, solids, and various chemicals. At the same time, the temperature and pressure ranges need to be considered, as well as whether the seal is static or dynamic.
Design Requirements: Consider the combination, possible chemical reactions, service life, and possible causes of failure. At the same time, the lubricity and assembly of the components need to be considered, as well as the tolerance requirements.
Inspection Requirements: Define the inspection criteria, determine the need for sample confirmation, set the acceptance criteria, and set the main sealing surfaces.
Material specification: Decide on the selection of material specifications, such as ASTM in the United States, DIN in Germany, JIS in Japan, GB in China, etc., and discuss with suppliers to define the selection of rubber materials.
Cost considerations: choose suitable rubber compounds, and avoid using high-cost and impractical rubber compounds.
The following are the characteristics and uses of some common rubber materials for reference:
Nitrile rubber (NBR): It has good oil and abrasion resistance, and is suitable for seals in hydraulic systems and automobile engines. However, it is less resistant to ozone and strong oxidants.
Fluoroelastomer (FKM): It has excellent high-temperature resistance and chemical stability, and can withstand a wide range of chemicals, making it suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure working environments.
Acrylic rubber (ACM): It has good oil and heat resistance, and is commonly used in the seals and transmission systems of automobile engines.
Neoprene (CR): Seals with excellent weather and aging resistance, suitable for outdoor environments and UV exposure.
Silicone rubber (VMQ): With a wide temperature range, it retains good elasticity and softness from very low to high temperatures, and is suitable for seals in the food industry, medical devices, and electronic devices.
When selecting a rubber material, a combination of working environment, performance requirements, cost and budget, and ease of installation should be considered to ensure that the most suitable seal material is selected.
