FFKM Seals Can Outperform Metal O-rings At High Pressures & Temperatures

The deformation of metal O-ring seals can occur where process operating conditions reach temperatures up to 300°C, with liquid pressures also as high as 100 bar. This form of seal failure can result in leaks, causing safety concerns while also necessitating clean-up operations and the interruption or total suspension of production line activities.

However, costly breakdowns can be reduced or even virtually eliminated by utilising the DuPont™ Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) O-ring seals. In examples where these high performance products have replaced the OEM fitted metal seals, uninterrupted production periods in excess of 10 years have been experienced without any lost production processes due to seal failures.

Scheduled maintenance periods can also be safely extended leading to manpower savings coupled with increased production outputs.
The Kalrez® O-ring seals are available in the UK from authorised distributor Dichtomatik Ltd.

Finished O-rings, custom shapes, sheet and cords are manufactured exclusively by DuPont™ from raw material right through to the finished products, and  Kalrez® is now the choice of elastomer for the most demanding sealing applications.

Kalrez® is recognised as the market leading perfluoroelastomer which is resistant to over 1800 different chemicals while offering the high temperature stability of PTFE (327°C). The advanced properties of the product help maintain seal integrity with increased production safety, while also helping to minimise manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Typical worldwide markets that can benefit from the proven advantages offered by Kalrez® products include aggressive chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical production activities, oil and gas recovery, petroleum applications, power generation together with semiconductor wafer processing involving a wide range of industrial and electronic grade chemicals.

Subsequent removal or in-situ repairs of affected equipment such as gear pumps, centrifuges, reactors and quick-release couplings can be expensive, particularly if the MTBF times are of short duration, leading to high unscheduled costing levels together with production shut-downs and process liquid losses. Labour costs alone covering major component strip-downs or complete unit replacements can be very substantial.