NITI Ventures

PTFE O-Rings

PTFE is a high-performance sealing material used where O-rings must handle very aggressive chemicals, very low friction, and wide temperature ranges. It is not an elastomer like NBR or EPDM, so it behaves differently in sealing and has much lower elasticity and memory.

Typical temperature rangeAbout -200°C to +250°C typical, with broad temperature capability depending on seal design.

Other namesPTFE, Polytetrafluoroethylene

Hardness optionsPTFE is usually described as virgin PTFE, filled PTFE, or compound-specific PTFE grades rather than in Shore A hardness terms.

Compliance optionsDepending on compound, PTFE may be available with food-contact suitable grades, medical-related grades, chemical-service grades, and application-specific declarations.

Best used for

Highly aggressive chemicals
Acids and alkalis
Solvents
Very low friction applications
Broad temperature capability

Key advantages

Excellent chemical resistance
Very low coefficient of friction
Broad temperature capability
Outstanding weather and ozone resistance

Performs well in

Strong acids
Strong bases
Solvents
Aggressive industrial chemicals
Weather and ozone exposure
Applications requiring broad media resistance

Use with caution or avoid

Applications that depend on strong elastic recovery
Standard low-compression vacuum flange situations
High vacuum applications in some cases
High-temperature steam in many standard PTFE O-ring cases
Cases where rubber-like rebound is needed

Typical applications

Chemical processing equipment
Pharmaceutical equipment
Food processing equipment in suitable grades
Low-friction sealing systems
Specialty sealing where elastomers are not chemically suitable

Common industries

Chemical processing
Pharmaceuticals
Food and beverage
Aerospace
Oil and gas
Industrial process equipment

When to choose PTFE

Choose PTFE when you need extremely broad chemical resistance, very low friction, very wide temperature capability, or performance in media where common elastomers are not compatible.

When not to choose PTFE: Avoid or review carefully when your application depends heavily on elastic rebound, compression memory, or simple dynamic O-ring service without proper design support.

Selection guide

This is a practical selection guide. Final material choice should always be checked against actual fluid, temperature, pressure, movement, environment, and any approval requirement for the exact compound.

Other materials

Need help selecting the right material?

Tell us your fluid, temperature, pressure, size, and whether the seal is static or dynamic. We can help review the most suitable starting options before final size and compound selection.