Materials

Material overview for seals & elastomer products

A wide variety of materials are used in sealing technology. Depending on the application, they must fulfil temperature, chemical and weathering resistance, mechanical load capacity and approvals for specific industries.

Here you will find detailed information on the most important elastomers, thermoplastics and foams.

TPE (thermoplastic elastomers)

Properties:

• Combination of rubber-like and thermoplastic properties
  High elasticity, flexible and easily mouldable
  Good resistance to weathering, UV radiation and ozone
  Temperature range: approx. -40°C to +120°C

Applications:

• Seals for windows, doors, vehicle construction
  Handles, soft components in multi-component parts
  Alternative to classic elastomers for recyclable products

Approvals for use:

• FDA (food contact)
  KTW / W270 (drinking water applications)

Recycling:

• Excellent recyclability, as thermoplastic mouldable

TPV (thermoplastic vulcanisates)

Properties:

• Mixture of TPE and vulcanised elastomer
  Higher temperature resistance than TPE
  Resistant to chemicals and UV
  Temperature range: approx. -50°C to +150°C

Applications:

• Automotive industry (seals, hoses)
  Construction industry (window seals, profiles)

Approvals for use:

• FDA, KTW, NSF

Recycling:

• Recyclable through re-melting

VMQ (silicone rubber)

Properties:

• Very high temperature resistance (-60°C to +230°C, special types up to 300°C)
• Resistant to UV, ozone and weathering
• High flexibility at low temperatures
• Good chemical resistance, but not resistant to oils/fuels

Applications:

• Medical technology, food industry, automotive industry
• High-temperature seals, cable sheathing

Authorisations:

• FDA, BfR, KTW, NSF, USP Class VI

Recycling:

• Limited recyclability, mechanical reprocessing possible

LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber)

Properties:

• Same advantages as VMQ, but more precise processing thanks to injection moulding
• Excellent biocompatibility
• Temperature range: -60°C to +230°C

Applications:

• Medical technology (catheters, tubes)
  Food industry, electronics, automotive

Approvals:

• FDA, USP Class VI, BfR, KTW

Recycling:

• Mechanically difficult, thermal recycling possible

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber)

Properties:

• Excellent resistance to ozone, UV and weathering
• High flexibility even at low temperatures (-50°C to +150°C)
• Good chemical resistance, but not resistant to oils/fuels

Applications:

• Seals for windows, doors, facades
• Water and sewage systems

Approvals for:

• FDA, KTW, WRAS, NSF

Recycling:

• Mechanical recycling possible, limited thermal utilisation

NBR (nitrile rubber) & HNBR (hydrogenated NBR)

Properties:

• Very good resistance to oil, grease and fuel
• Temperature range: -30°C to +120°C (HNBR up to +150°C)
• NBR less weather-resistant, HNBR improved through hydrogenation

Applications:

• Fuel lines, O-rings, hydraulic seals

Approvals for use:

• FDA (special types)

Recycling:

• Mechanically limited possible

FKM (fluoroelastomer, Viton®) & FFKM (perfluoroelastomer)

Properties:

• Excellent temperature and chemical resistance
• FKM up to +250°C, FFKM up to +320°C
• Very resistant to oils, fuels and acids

Applications:

• Chemical industry, high-temperature seals

Approvals:

• FDA, USP Class VI (certain types only)

Recycling:

• Very difficult, thermal utilisation preferred

CR (chloroprene rubber, Neoprene®)

Properties:

• Good oil and weather resistance
• Mechanically robust, temperature range: -40°C to +120°C

Applications:

• Hoses, rubber seals

Recycling:

• Mechanical recycling possible

EPDM, NBR, Silicone, CR

Properties:

• Closed-cell or open-pore structures
• High elasticity and damping
• Temperature ranges depending on the base material

Applications:

• Shock protection, sound and thermal insulation

Approvals:

• FDA (only for specific silicone foam rubber types)

Recycling:

• Partial mechanical reprocessing possible

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, Teflon®)

Properties:

• Extremely resistant to chemicals, temperature resistant up to +260°C
• Very low friction, non-stick

Applications:

• High-performance seals in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries

Approvals:

• FDA, USP Class VI, KTW

Recycling:

• Mechanically recyclable

Recyclability strongly depends on the material:

• Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE, TPV, PVC) → Highly recyclable
• Silicones & elastomers (EPDM, NBR, FKM) → More difficult to recycle, thermal recovery
• PTFE → Mechanical recycling possible

Environmentally friendly materials and resource-efficient production are essential for modern sealing technology.