Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Resistant O-Rings
Compatibility ratings for 7 O-ring materials in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) service
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) (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 | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
| FKM | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
| EPDM | B | good — suitable for most applications |
| VMQ | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
| PTFE | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| FFKM | A | excellent — recommended for continuous service |
| HNBR | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
Why These Ratings
- NBR (D) — documented weaknesses include “Polar solvents (ketones, esters).”
- FKM (D) — documented weaknesses include “Polar solvents (ketones, esters).”
- PTFE (A) — documented strengths include “Virtually all chemicals.”
- FFKM (A) — documented strengths include “Ketones and esters.”
- HNBR (D) — documented weaknesses include “Polar solvents (ketones, esters).”
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
- PTFE O-rings (A)
- FFKM O-rings (A)
Use With Caution
- EPDM O-rings (B)
Avoid
- NBR (D)
- FKM (D)
- VMQ (D)
- HNBR (D)
Related Chemicals (Solvents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) compatible with FKM (Viton) O-rings?
FKM is rated D for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): not recommended — rapid degradation expected. Ratings are general guidelines; concentration, temperature and exposure time all affect real-world compatibility, so validate critical applications with ASTM D471 immersion testing.
Is Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) compatible with NBR (nitrile) O-rings?
NBR is rated D for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): not recommended — rapid degradation expected. 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 Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)?
PTFE is rated A for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): 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 Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)?
PTFE, FFKM are rated A (excellent) for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) 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 Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)?
EPDM is rated B for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK): good — suitable for most applications. Always confirm the specific fluid concentration and temperature before specifying EPDM for this service.
Need O-Rings for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Service?
Send us your fluid, concentration and temperature — our engineers will confirm the right compound. MOQ 1 piece.