Heptane Resistant O-Rings
Compatibility ratings for 7 O-ring materials in Heptane service
Heptane (Solvents) compatibility with the seven most common O-ring elastomers, rated on the standard A/B/C/D scale: A = excellent, B = good, C = fair, D = not recommended. This data also appears in our interactive chemical compatibility chart and is available machine-readable at /api/chemicals.json.
| Material | Rating | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| NBR | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| FKM | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| EPDM | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
| VMQ | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
| PTFE | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| FFKM | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| HNBR | B | good — suitable for most applications |
Why These Ratings
- NBR (A) — documented strengths include “Aliphatic hydrocarbons.”
- FKM (A) — documented strengths include “Aromatic hydrocarbons.”
- EPDM (D) — documented weaknesses include “Hydrocarbon fuels.”
- VMQ (D) — documented weaknesses include “Aromatic hydrocarbons.”
- PTFE (A) — documented strengths include “Virtually all chemicals.”
- FFKM (A) — documented strengths include “Virtually all chemicals except molten alkali metals.”
SolventsService: Concentration & Temperature Notes
Match solvent polarity to polymer polarity. Ketones and esters (polar) destroy NBR and FKM but suit EPDM; aromatic and chlorinated solvents (non-polar) do the reverse. Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane and heptane are the mildest — NBR rates B to A. Solvent swell is largely concentration-independent, but temperature accelerates both fluid uptake and plasticizer extraction.
Recommended
- NBR O-rings (A)
- FKM O-rings (A)
- PTFE O-rings (A)
- FFKM O-rings (A)
Use With Caution
- HNBR O-rings (B)
Avoid
- EPDM (D)
- VMQ (D)
Related Chemicals (Solvents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heptane compatible with FKM (Viton) O-rings?
FKM is rated A for Heptane: excellent — recommended for continuous service. Ratings are general guidelines; concentration, temperature and exposure time all affect real-world compatibility, so validate critical applications with ASTM D471 immersion testing.
Is Heptane compatible with NBR (nitrile) O-rings?
NBR is rated A for Heptane: excellent — recommended for continuous service. NBR is the lowest-cost elastomer, so when it earns an A or B rating it is usually the economical default; when it rates C or D, do not substitute it for a higher-rated material to save cost.
Can I use PTFE O-rings with Heptane?
PTFE is rated A for Heptane: excellent — recommended for continuous service. Remember that PTFE has no elastic memory — in demanding service it needs spring energization or an elastomer core (FEP/PFA encapsulation) to maintain sealing force.
What is the best O-ring material for Heptane?
NBR, FKM, PTFE, FFKM are rated A (excellent) for Heptane in our compatibility data and are the recommended starting point for material selection. Final selection should also account for operating temperature, pressure and whether the seal is static or dynamic.
Can I use EPDM O-rings with Heptane?
EPDM is rated D for Heptane: not recommended — rapid degradation expected. Always confirm the specific fluid concentration and temperature before specifying EPDM for this service.
Need O-Rings for Heptane Service?
Send us your fluid, concentration and temperature — our engineers will confirm the right compound. MOQ 1 piece.