Extend Service Life of ISO-KF Seals in High Temperature Applications

You can extend service life of ISO-KF seals in high temperature applications by switching from generic fluoroelastomers (FKM) such as Viton, to perfluoroelastomers (FFKM), and by ensuring the seal is properly sized.

ISO-KF (or ISO-QF or ISO-NW) type flange seals provide an economical, convenient and simplified means of constructing vacuum systems. However, despite the efficiency offered by these flanges, you may face premature seal failure and unscheduled equipment downtime when standard AS-568A o-rings are specified for locations which will be exposed to >/= 150°C and/or harsh process effluent, particularly in heated forelines and exhaust lines.

NW Series perfluoroelastomer seals (o-rings) from DuPont Performance Elastomers increase seal life and reduce downtime over standard ISO-KF seals in high-temperature applications because:

1. The various NW size cross-sections are optimized to provide the best sealing performance with the lowest amount of mechanical stress, thus avoiding premature breakdown.
2. Certain Kalrez® FFKM materials can operate continuously up to 325°C, as opposed to the practical limit of 150°C (short term max 200°C) for standard FKM materials.
3. Kalrez® FFKM material significantly out-performs FKM material, providing much stronger resistance to both chemical and physical plasma attack.

Resources:
Application Note: Kalrez® NW Series 0-Rings

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