In modern industrial sealing systems, plastics are increasingly used to manufacture sealing structure components due to their lightweight properties, chemical resistance, and machinability. Choosing the right plastic material can significantly improve sealing performance, extend service life, and reduce maintenance costs.

In this article, DXTSEALS analyzes the performance differences of common engineering plastics in sealing applications and provides practical selection guidelines.

🔍 Common Plastic Materials in Sealing Components

1. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

• Advantages: Excellent chemical resistance, low friction coefficient, wide temperature range (-200°C to +260°C).

• Limitations: Low mechanical strength, requires fillers for high-pressure environments.

• Applications: Chemical pumps, valve seats, rotary seals in corrosive media.

2. PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)

• Advantages: High mechanical strength, excellent wear resistance, good thermal stability (up to 250°C), strong chemical resistance.

• Limitations: Higher cost compared to other plastics.

• Applications: High-pressure hydraulic seals, aerospace sealing rings, precision wear components.

3. POM (Polyoxymethylene, Acetal)

• Advantages: High stiffness, low moisture absorption, good wear resistance.

• Limitations: Poor resistance to strong acids and oxidizing agents.

• Applications: Guide rings, backup rings, and sealing supports in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

4. Nylon (PA)

• Advantages: Good wear resistance, high impact strength, lightweight.

• Limitations: Absorbs moisture, which may affect dimensional stability.

• Applications: Bearing cages, support rings, low-cost seal carriers.

5. UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)

• Advantages: Outstanding abrasion resistance, low friction, good impact strength.

• Limitations: Lower temperature resistance compared to PTFE and PEEK.

• Applications: Wear plates, sliding elements, seals in abrasive environments.

📊 Performance Comparison Table

🛠 Material Selection Guidelines for Sealing Components

1. Consider the Working Medium

   • Use PTFE or PEEK for aggressive chemicals.

   • Avoid nylon in environments with high moisture absorption risk.

2. Evaluate Temperature and Pressure

   • For high-pressure and high-temperature systems, PEEK is the preferred choice.

   • For cryogenic applications, PTFE performs best.

3. Analyze Wear and Friction Requirements

   • For sliding or dynamic sealing, UHMWPE and filled PTFE offer excellent wear resistance.

   • For structural rigidity, POM or PEEK is more suitable.

4. Balance Cost and Performance

   • If budget is limited, POM and nylon offer a cost-effective option for moderate conditions.

   • For critical aerospace or chemical sealing, invest in PEEK.

💡 Conclusion

Plastic sealing components are widely used in hydraulic systems, chemical processing, automotive, and aerospace industries. Each plastic has unique performance characteristics, and selecting the right material depends on balancing chemical resistance, mechanical strength, temperature tolerance, and budget.

At DXTSEALS, we provide custom-engineered sealing components in PTFE, PEEK, POM, and other high-performance plastics. Our technical team can recommend the optimal material based on your operating environment, lifespan requirements, and cost targets.

📩 Contact DXTSEALS for professional advice and tailored sealing solutions.