Temperature
Material Color
Polyurethane
Also referred to as: Natural Milky White
Urethane, HPU, PUR or Honey Colored)
Nitrile Rubber
Also referred to as:
NBR, Buna-N, Buna
Highly Saturated
Nitrile Rubber
Also referred to as:
HNBR, Hydrogenated Nitrile,
Hydrogenated NBR, Hydrogenated
Buna-N
Fluoroelastomer -
Viton®
Also referred to as:
VIT, Viton®, FKM, Fluorocarbon
EPDM Rubber
Also referred to as:
EPD, EPR, EP, Ethylene
Propylene
Silicone Rubber
Also referred to as:
SIL, Silicone, Silastic
Information
Limits
Use in: Hydraulic cylinders as rod seals and piston seals. This
material is most commonly used as hydraulic u-cups, rod
wipers and packings.
-22 to 230oF Description: This is a high performance material with
Red improved resistance to hot water (up to 200°F) make s it ideally
(Also could be suited for mining applications where water based hydraulic
fluids are used. Can be used for pressures to 6000 psi. It is
excellent in oil based hydraulic fluids. Great abrasion
-30 to 110oC resistance. Resistant to most oils, fuels, gases. Can be used
successfully as a drive belt of various shapes.
Characteristics: Plastic-like. Shiny surface finish. Difficult to
stretch.
Use in: Pneumatic seals, O-Rings, oil seal lips, gaskets,
washer and low pressure hydraulic seals. Can be used with a
back-up ring in higher pressure applications. This is the most
popular o-ring material.
-22 to 210oF
Description: General purpose elastomer for use as seal
energizer or low pressure applications such as hydraulics and
Black pneumatics. Resistant to oils, hydraulic fluids, water fuels,
gases. Not suited for use in brake fluids. Good abrasion
-30 to 100oC resistance. Good resistance to compression set. High tensile
strength.
Characteristics: Rubber-like elastomer. Dull, matte finish.
Some NBR o-rings have a very shiny surface.
Use in: Seal and gasket application requiring additional
resistance to chemicals and slightly higher temperatures than
can be handled with NBR. O-Rings, washers, rod and piston
-13 to 302oF seals, back-up rings, gaskets.
Description: HNBR is achieved by hydrogenated NBR.
Black Greatly improved wear and extrusion resistance over standard
NBR. Good chemical compatibility and can be used with oils
-25 to 150oC which have aggressive additives. Has an extended high
temperature range.
Characteristics: Rubber-like elastomer. Dull finish.
Use in: Tough sealing applications requiring extreme chemical
resistance. O-Rings. Hydraulic seals. Pneumatic seals.
Description: An excellent elastomer for use in high
o temperature applications. Also exhibits excellent chemical
-4 to 392 F resistance for use in harsh environments such as phosphate
Brown esters. Widely used in applications dealing with extreme
(Also could be temperature and/or extreme chemicals. It is suitable to use
Black, Green - with all chemicals (exception - Skydrol, certain esters and
molded o-rings)
-20 to 200oC ethers) makes it a popular elastomer in chemical processing,
paper / pulp mills, various chemical, acid and solvent
applications.
Characteristics: Rubber-like elastomer. Noticeably heavier
than NBR. Dull, non-glossy finish. Smells like cinnamon.
Use in: Sealing lips of special oil seals, u-cups, wiper rings, o-
rings, gaskets, washers, rollers.
o
-49 to 300 F
Description: For use in high temperature water, steam and
brake fluids. This elastomer must not come in contact with
Black mineral oils or grease. It is used in applications that deal with
acids, weak alkalis. EPD is sometimes and acceptable FDA
-45 to 150oC material.
Characteristics: Rubber-like elastomer. Strong rubber smell.
Use in: O-rings, special low pressure seals, gaskets.
Blue
sometimes white Description: An excellent material generally used for static
-75 to 392oF seals with excellent low and high temperature stability and
good resistance to aging. Generally not suited for dynamic
applications due to poor tensile strength and abrasion
resistance. Does exhibit excellent resistance to extreme
temperature and is an acceptable FDA material. Typical use
Orange -60 to 200oC for silicone in dry heat applications and food processing
applications.
Characteristics: Very springy like rubber-type material.

Material
Virgin PTFE
Also referred to as:
Teflon®, Virgin Teflon®, PTFE,
TFE, TFV, Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE/Glass
Also referred to as:
TFG, Glass-filled Teflon®, Glass-
filled PTFE
PTFE/Bronze
Also referred to as:
TFB, Bronze-filled Teflon® or
Bronze-filled PTFE
PTFE/Nickel
Also referred to as:
TFN, Nickel-filled Teflon®, Nickel-
filled PTFE
Polyoxymethylene -
Delrin®
Also referred to as:
POM
Aluminum
Also referred to as:
ALU, Aluminum alloy
*Aluminum Temperature note: when used as a component of an oil seal it is limited to the highest temperature of the rubber used
along with the aluminum to make a complete oil seal)
Temperature
Color Information
Limits
Use in: Packings, gaskets, seals, washers, spacers,
insulators, wheels, rollers, bearings, guide rings.
Description: An extremely low friction material which remains
-328 to 500oF stable at both low and high temperatures. The chemical
resistance of this material is outstanding. Can be used in
White applications with extreme temperatures, extreme pressures
and extreme chemicals. Since Teflon® TFV has a tendency to
-200 to 260oC cold flow and has no memory. It can be filled or mixed with
glass, bronze, and nickel to enhance its properties.
Characteristics: Semi-rigid plastic material. Most of the time it
is finished by machining.
Use in: Wear parts requiring low friction and good wear
o resistance and high pressure resistance.
-328 to 500 F
Off-White Description: Similar to TFV or Virgin PTFE with significantly
(Appears to have improved wear resistance and heat transfer due to glass filler.
small fibers Excellent for dynamic applications and for higher pressures.
contained.)
-200 to 260oC Characteristics: Semi-rigid plastic material. Most of the time it
is finished by machining.
Use in: Wear parts in hydraulic cylinders requiring load
o bearing along with low friction guiding parts, sealing rings.
Metallic -328 to 500 F
Tan or Description: Similar to PTFE / Glass but with superior wear
and extrusion resistance due to bronze filler. Excellent for
Light dynamic applications and pressures to 6000 psi.
Brown -200 to 260oC Characteristics: Semi-rigid plastic material. Most of the time it
is finished by machining.
Use in: Wear parts in hydraulic cylinders requiring load
bearing along with low friction guiding parts, sealing rings.
-328 to 500oF
Metallic Description: Similar to PTFE / Glass or PTFE / Bronze but
with superior chemical, wear and extrusion resistance due to
Grey or Nickel filler. Excellent for dynamic applications and pressures
Light Grey to 6000 psi.
-200 to 260oC
Characteristics: Semi-rigid plastic material. Most of the time it
is finished by machining.
Use in: Wear rings, guide rings, piston and rod bearing rings,
White bushings, spacers, washers.
-58 to 210oF Description: A high strength engineering plastic suitable for
bearings, bushings and guide bands. Physical properties
achieved are almost like cold-rolled steel. Low moisture
Black absorption. Excellent as a hydraulic component in water based
-50 to 110oC fluids.
Characteristics: Rigid plastic. Most of the time it is finished by
machining.
Use in: Crush washers. High temperature spacers and rings.
Used for the outer casing and the inner retainer ring on rubber
lipped oil seals requiring a metal component to hold the seal in
a housing. For seals in gear boxes, power transmission
equipment, shaft housings, chemical equipment, vehicle parts
-58 to and shaft components.
Silver
1000oF*
Metallic Description: Alloy 6061 Aluminum is an extremely versatile
alloy which combines good formability, high corrosion
Very shiny when resistance, and medium strength. Yield strength is 40 ksi.
machined Hardness is 95 Brinell. Melting range is 1080° to 1 205°F. Can
-50 to 500oC* be used as oil seal insert or casing up to 15 PSI. For higher
pressure rotary shaft seals, ask your EPM Seal Specialist.
Characteristics: Soft, multi-functional metal. Finished by
machining.