O-Rings: Chemical Compatibility
O-rings are used in many Quantachrome instruments as gas and vacuum-tight seals. O-rings are available in a variety of
elastomeric materials and these differ in their compatibilities with different gases and vapors. Listed below are the
O-ring materials we most commonly employ and their relative ratings[1] for use with some common fluids.
| Fluid Name |
Formula |
Buna-N |
EPDM |
Viton |
| Acetone |
C3H6O |
N | S |
N |
| Acetylene |
C2H2 |
S | S |
S |
| Ammonia (dry) |
NH3 | S |
S |
N |
| Argon |
Ar | S | S | S |
| Benzene |
C6H6 |
N |
N |
S |
| Butane |
C4H10 |
S |
N |
S |
| Carbon dioxide |
CO2 |
S |
S |
S |
| Carbon monoxide |
CO |
S |
S |
S |
| Cyclohexane |
C6H12 |
S |
N |
S |
| Ethane |
C2H6 |
S |
N |
S |
| Ethanol |
C2H5OH |
Ss |
S |
S |
| Helium |
He |
S |
S |
S |
| Hexane |
C6H14 |
S |
N |
S |
| Hydrogen |
H2 |
S |
S |
S |
| Isopropanol |
C3H7OH |
S |
S |
S |
| Krypton |
Kr |
S |
S |
S |
| Methane |
CH4 |
S |
N |
S |
| Nitric oxide |
NO |
N |
N |
N |
| Nitrogen |
N2 |
S |
S |
S |
| Nitrogen dioxide | NO2 (N2O4) |
N |
N |
N |
| Nitrous oxide | N2O |
S |
S |
S |
| Pyridine | C5H5N |
N |
S |
N |
| Sulfur dioxide (dry) | SO2 |
N |
S |
Ss |
| Sulfur hexafluoride | SF6 |
S |
S |
S |
| Xylene | C8H10 |
N |
N |
S |
| Water | H2O |
S |
S |
S |
S = suitable, Ss = suitable for short exposure (<48 hours)
N = not suitable, do not use.
Fluids which are deemed compatible, at least for short periods, with all elastomers listed are highlighted in
bold.
[1] This information has been compiled from the following sources: Cole-Parmer and Parker Seal Group
(O-ring Division). This information refers to chemical compatibility only and does not imply suitability for use according
to any other criteria.
If you do not see the fluid-elastomer pair of interest, please visit one of the following sites to determine suitability:
www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/chemcomp.asp
www.parker.com/o-ring/fcg/fcg.asp (InternetExplorer only)
If you are unsure regarding what O-rings are used in your particular Quantachrome instrument or whether a fluid not
listed here can be reasonably employed, please contact Quantachrome by filling out this contact form, emailing qc.support@quantachrome.com or calling our toll-free number 1-800-989-2476.
Always involve your health and safety management when using compressed gases, refer to the appropriate MSDS available from your gas
supplier (not Quantachrome) and observe all safety precautions printed in the instrument operator's manual.
Quantachrome makes no express or implied warranties or guarantees regarding the information above. Quantachrome cannot be responsible for conditions of use of any gases
and shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss resulting from the use of any of the listed materials above.
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