We make getting O-Rings easy. Use this quick chart to pick a material that stays flexible and seals reliably across your operating temperature range. Values below are typical service ranges for quality compounds; specific grades may extend these limits. Always consider your fluid/media, pressure, and duty cycle.
Rubber O-Ring Temperature Ranges
| Base Compound | Typical Range (°F) | Typical Range (°C) | Where It Shines (Examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aflas® (FEPM) | +15 to +450 | −10 to +235 | Steam, amines/bases, sour gas, hot water; oil & gas / chemical process. |
| Buna-N / NBR (Nitrile) | −40 to +250 | −40 to +121 | General purpose oils, fuels, hydraulics. Great value. |
| EPDM | −65 to +300 | −54 to +149 | Hot water/steam, brake fluid, chloramines. Not for petroleum oils. |
| FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer) — Simriz® Compounds | 484: +4 to +446 485: +20 to +446 486: +25 to +446 498: +23 to +617 | 484: −16 to +230 485: −7 to +230 486: −4 to +230 498: −5 to +325 | Extreme chemicals & heat; aerospace/semiconductor/chemical process. |
| Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) | −76 to +392 | −60 to +200 | Wide low-temp range with fuel/aviation fluids (lower strength than FKM). |
| HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile) | −25 to +300 | −32 to +149 | Hot oil, automotive, industrial seals; tougher & hotter than NBR. |
| Neoprene® (CR) | −40 to +225 | −40 to +107 | Refrigerants (legacy), weathering, moderate oils. |
| PTFE (Teflon®) | −100 to +500 | −73 to +260 | Broad chem resistance & high heat; use where elastomer swell is a risk. |
| Polyurethane Cast TODI (Disogrin® 6865) | −115 to +250 | −81 to +121 | High pressure, abrasion; hydraulics & pneumatics (great extrusion resistance). |
| Polyurethane EU (polyether TPU) | ≈ −30 to +180 | ≈ −34 to +82 | Economical wear resistance; temperature capability depends on grade. |
| Silicone (VMQ) | −80 to +400 | −62 to +204 | Excellent low-temp flexibility; many FDA/USP options. |
| Viton® / FKM | −20 to +400 | −29 to +204 | Hot oils, fuels, solvents. Low-temp FKM “GLT/GBT” grades reach −40 °F. |
How to use this chart (customer tips)
- Pick for your coldest start and hottest steady-state. Elastomers harden near the low limit and take set near the high limit. Build margin.
- Match the media. Temperature is only half the story — confirm chemical compatibility (we can help).
- Dynamic vs. static. Dynamic seals often need more margin (and sometimes a harder durometer or back-up rings).
- Need proof? Ask us for CofCs and Olypsys® scan reports with actual measured dimensions for your lot.
Trademarks: Aflas®—AGC; Viton®—Chemours; Teflon®—Chemours; Simriz®—Freudenberg.