Methylene Chloride Resistant O-Rings
Compatibility ratings for 7 O-ring materials in Methylene Chloride service
Methylene Chloride (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 | C | fair — conditional use, verify with testing |
| 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 | D | not recommended — rapid degradation expected |
Why These Ratings
- NBR (D) — documented weaknesses include “Chlorinated hydrocarbons.”
- EPDM (D) — documented weaknesses include “Chlorinated solvents.”
- VMQ (D) — documented weaknesses include “Chlorinated solvents.”
- PTFE (A) — documented strengths include “Aromatic and chlorinated solvents.”
- FFKM (A) — documented strengths include “Aromatic and chlorinated solvents.”
- HNBR (D) — documented weaknesses include “Chlorinated hydrocarbons.”
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
- FKM O-rings (C)
Avoid
- NBR (D)
- EPDM (D)
- VMQ (D)
- HNBR (D)
Related Chemicals (Solvents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methylene Chloride compatible with FKM (Viton) O-rings?
FKM is rated C for Methylene Chloride: fair — conditional use, verify with testing. Ratings are general guidelines; concentration, temperature and exposure time all affect real-world compatibility, so validate critical applications with ASTM D471 immersion testing.
Is Methylene Chloride compatible with NBR (nitrile) O-rings?
NBR is rated D for Methylene Chloride: 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 Methylene Chloride?
PTFE is rated A for Methylene Chloride: 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 Methylene Chloride?
PTFE, FFKM are rated A (excellent) for Methylene Chloride 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 Methylene Chloride?
EPDM is rated D for Methylene Chloride: not recommended — rapid degradation expected. Always confirm the specific fluid concentration and temperature before specifying EPDM for this service.
Need O-Rings for Methylene Chloride Service?
Send us your fluid, concentration and temperature — our engineers will confirm the right compound. MOQ 1 piece.