What Sets Them Apart
ENGINEERED FOR ENVIRONMENTS WHERE STANDARD SEALS FALL SHORT
Most O-rings do a perfectly good job - until the temperature spikes, the chemicals get aggressive or the cost of a seal failure becomes too high to accept. That is the moment when you need a high-performance O-ring.
High performance O-rings are made from advanced materials - FFKM, FKM, HNBR, FEPM and PTFE — that are specifically designed to handle conditions that standard rubber compounds cannot survive. They seal reliably across wide temperature ranges, resist harsh chemicals that would destroy ordinary elastomers and hold their shape and sealing force through long periods of continuous use.
MATERIAL PROFILE
FFKM O-Rings
Perfluoroelastomer
FFKM O-Rings — For the Toughest Conditions
FFKM stands for Perfluoroelastomer. It is the highest-performing O-ring material available — the one you choose when no other elastomer can cope with the environment.
FFKM O-rings are built with a fully fluorinated molecular structure. In simple terms, this means almost nothing can attack the material chemically. Strong acids, alkalis, amines, solvents, steam, ketones — FFKM handles them all without swelling, cracking or degrading. At the same time, it operates reliably from -40°C all the way up to +316°C, covering everything from cryogenic valve assemblies to refinery reactors running at full heat.
ISMAT's FFKM O-rings are manufactured under our Vertex F Series — a range of 11 different compounds, each fine-tuned for a specific set of demands.
Product Range: O-rings, Backup Seals, U-cup Seals, X-rings, Lip Seals, Wiper Seals, Packing Elements, Custom-Molded Components, Grommets and Bushes.
Vertex F Series — FFKM Compound Overview
| Trade Name | Hardness | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Details & Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex F 01ED | 90±5 | -10°C | 230°C | • Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C • Suitable for RGD applications |
| Vertex F 02 | 75±5 | -10°C | 230°C | Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C. |
| Vertex F 02LT | 75±5 | -40°C | 230°C | • Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C • Resistant to Extreme Low Temperature |
| Vertex F 03HT | 75±5 | -10°C | 315°C | • Excellent Resistance to acids, sour gases, and hydrocarbons etc. • Resistant to Very High Temperature |
| Vertex F 04HT | 90±5 | -10°C | 315°C | • Excellent Resistance to acids, sour gases, and hydrocarbons etc. • Resistant to Very High Temperature |
| Vertex F 05 | 80±5 | -10°C | 230°C | Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C. |
| Vertex F 06HT | 80±5 | -10°C | 315°C | • Excellent Resistance to acids, sour gases, and hydrocarbons etc. • Resistant to Very High Temperature |
| Vertex F 07LT | 90±5 | -40°C | 230°C | • Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C. • Resistant to Extreme Low Temperature RGD. |
| Vertex F 09M | 75±5 | -10°C | 270°C | Excellent Resistance to aggressive media such as hot amines > +70°C. |
| Vertex F 10M | 90±5 | -10°C | +250°C | Very good chemical compatibility |
| Vertex F 16 | 85±5 | -20°C | +300°C* | Higher resistance to wide range of fluids under pressure |
HNBR O-Rings — Strong, Oil-Resistant and Heat-Tolerant
HNBR stands for Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber. If you are already using standard NBR O-rings but finding they wear out too quickly, degrade in heat or struggle with aggressive fluids, HNBR is the natural next step - without jumping straight to the cost of FFKM.
The hydrogenation process used to make HNBR significantly improves on standard NBR. It removes the weak spots in the polymer chain that cause ageing, cracking and chemical breakdown. The result is a material with much better heat resistance, far greater mechanical strength and improved resistance to ozone and aggressive fluids — all while retaining the oil and fuel resistance that NBR is known for.
HNBR O-rings are widely used in oil and gas equipment, automotive powertrains, refrigeration compressors, hydraulic systems and anywhere that mechanical wear, heat and fluid exposure happen at the same time.
Product Range: O-rings, Backup Seals, U-cup Seals, X-rings, Lip Seals, Wiper Seals, Packing Elements, Custom-Molded Components, Grommets and Bushes.
MATERIAL PROFILE
HNBR O-Rings
Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
Vertex H Series — HNBR Compound Overview
| Trade Name | Hardness | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Details & Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex H 16GN | 70±5 | -20°C | 160°C | Good Resistance to Chemicals. |
| Vertex H 16LT | 75±5 | -20°C | 160°C | • Good Resistance to Chemicals. • Excellent Resistance at Low temperatures. |
| Vertex H 17 | 90±5 | -52°C | 160°C | • Extreme Low Temperature Resistant. • Certified to NORSOK M-710 RGD, NACE TM0192. |
| Vertex H 18 | 80±5 | -20°C | 160°C | • Good Resistance to Chemicals. |
| Vertex H 18LT | 85±5 | -52°C | 150°C | • Extreme Low Temperature Resistant. • Suitable for RGD applications. |
MATERIAL PROFILE
FKM O-Rings
Fluoroelastomer / Viton®
FKM O-Rings — The Most Widely Used High Performance Seal Material
FKM — also known as Fluoroelastomer or commercially as Viton® is the most commonly specified high performance O-ring material across global industry. And it has earned that position through consistent, proven performance across a huge range of applications.
FKM O-rings resist hydrocarbon fuels, mineral oils, synthetic lubricants, many acids and a wide range of industrial solvents. They operate reliably from -60°C up to +204°C in continuous service - covering the majority of demanding thermal and chemical duties in automotive, aerospace, oil and gas and chemical processing industries.
ISMAT's Vertex FC Series is one of the deepest FKM compound ranges available from a single manufacturer. With 15 distinct formulations, we match the compound to the specific duty — not the other way around.
Product Range: O-rings, Backup Seals, U-cup Seals, X-rings, Lip Seals, Wiper Seals, Packing Elements, Custom-Molded Components, Grommets and Bushes.
Vertex FC Series — FKM Compound Overview
| Trade Name | Hardness | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Details & Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex FC 09 | 75±5 | -30°C | 204°C | • Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons. • Excellent Low Temperature Resistant |
| Vertex FC 10 | 90±5 | -30°C | 204°C | • Low Temperature RGD Resistant • Certified to NOROSK M-710, API 6A, NACE TM0187, NACE TM0192 |
| Vertex FC 11 | 90±5 | -20°C | 204°C | • 90±5 Sh-A Durometer. • Temp. Range: -20°C to +204°C • Certified to NORSOK M-710 RGD, API 6A, NACE TM0187, TM0192 |
| Vertex FC 13 | 90±5 | -20°C | 204°C | • Chemical resistance better than VITON B • Suitable for RGD applications |
| Vertex FC 14 | 75±5 | -5°C | 230°C | • Chemically resistant better than VITON B |
| Vertex FC 15 | 90±5 | -46°C | 204°C | • Extreme Low Temperature RGD Resistant • Certified to NORSOK M-710, API 6A, NACE TM0187, NACE TM0192 |
| Vertex FC 15A | 75±5 | -46°C | 204°C | • Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons • Extreme Low Temperature Resistant |
| Vertex FC 16 | 75±5 | -20°C | 204°C | • Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons • Resistant to Gamma Radiation of 5 Mrad |
| Vertex FC 16A | 70±5 | -20°C | 204°C | Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons |
| Vertex FC 18 | 90±5 | -20°C | 204°C | • Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons • RGD Resistant (NORSOK M-710 Certified) |
| Vertex FC 21 | 90±5 | -18°C | +204°C | Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons. |
| Vertex FC 22BN | 70±5 | -20°C | 204°C | • FDA Compliant. Tested as per US FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 |
| Vertex FC 24ULT | 90±5 | -60°C | 204°C | • Resistant to Hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons • Suitable for RGD applications |
| Vertex FC 33 | 90±5 | -25°C | 204°C | • Suitable for RGD applications • Balanced Low Temperature and Chemical Resistant |
| Vertex FC 39 | 80±5 | -5°C | +230°C | Exclusively Designed for High Temperature & Oil Resistance |
FEPM O-Rings — The Right Choice When FKM Falls Short
FEPM stands for Tetrafluoroethylene Propylene — a fluoroelastomer also known commercially as AFLAS®. It solves a very specific problem that FKM cannot: resistance to amines and strong bases.
Standard FKM is an excellent material in most aggressive environments, but it has a known weakness — it degrades in contact with amines, strong alkalis and certain polar media. These are exactly the chemicals that show up in amine gas treating plants, well-stimulation fluids and some high-temperature steam systems.
FEPM O-rings fill that gap. They resist amines, steam, engine oils, water-based drilling fluids, ozone and high-pH chemical environments — and they do it at temperatures and in service conditions where FKM would fail.
Product Range: O-rings, Backup Seals, U-cup Seals, X-rings, Lip Seals, Wiper Seals, Packing Elements, Custom-Molded Components, Grommets and Bushes.
MATERIAL PROFILE
FEPM O-Rings
TFE/Propylene — AFLAS®
Vertex A Series — FEPM Compound Overview
| Trade Name | Hardness | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Details & Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex A 01 | 90±5 | -3 | 230 | Amine, Base & Steam Resistant |
| Vertex A 02 | 70±5 | -3 | 230 | Amine, Base & Steam Resistant |
| Vertex A 03 | 80±5 | -3 | 230 | Amine, Base & Steam Resistant. |
MATERIAL PROFILE
PTFE O-Rings
Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE O-Rings — When Chemical Inertness and Low Friction Matter Most
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is different from the elastomers covered above. It is not a rubber — it is a semi-rigid engineering thermoplastic and that distinction is exactly what makes it valuable in certain sealing situations.
PTFE is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with almost anything — strong acids, oxidising agents, solvents, hydrocarbons and many other media that would rapidly attack any rubber compound. It also carries the lowest friction coefficient of any sealing material in common industrial use, which matters significantly in dynamic applications where wear and lubrication are ongoing concerns.
For these reasons, PTFE O-rings are the preferred choice when the process fluid is too aggressive for any elastomer, when the seal must run dry or with minimal lubrication, when trace contamination from seal material cannot be tolerated — as in pharmaceutical, food processing or semiconductor manufacturing — or when the application must comply with FDA 21 CFR or USP Class VI standards.
Product Range: Backup Rings, Valve Seat Seals, Stem Seals, Envelope Gaskets and Valve Sleeves
NOT EVERY APPLICATION NEEDS THE HIGHEST-TIER MATERIAL
Knowing when a standard elastomer is the right is just as important as knowing when to upgrade. A well-chosen NBR or EPDM O-ring, correctly dimensioned and properly installed, will outlast a premium FFKM seal that was specified for the wrong application.
ISMAT's Cerulean elastomeric range covers NBR, EPDM, Chloroprene, Silicone and SBR across a wide range of hardnesses, sizes and specialty grades — including low-temperature variants and compounds matched to specific fluid environments. Where the operating conditions fall comfortably within the standard elastomeric envelope, these materials offer excellent reliability at a practical cost.
Our engineering team helps customers make that material call without any push toward unnecessary upgrades. If a standard NBR grade does the job well, that is what we recommend. If the application genuinely demands FFKM, we explain exactly why — and we supply both.
Explore Our Full O-Ring Range →Cerulean Elastomeric Range
Standard & Specialty Grades
NBR (Nitrile)
General purpose, oil & fuel resistant, up to 100°C
EPDM
Weather, ozone & steam resistant, outdoor & brake systems
Silicone Rubber
Wide temperature range, stable, food-grade applications
Chloroprene (CR)
-40°C to +121°C, good ozone & aging resistance
SBR (Styrene Butadiene)
Water & aqueous media, hydraulic brake fluid
Back-Up Rings — Protecting Your O-Ring Under High Pressure
Under high pressure, O-rings can get pushed into the small clearance gap between hardware surfaces - a failure mode known as extrusion. Once it begins, the seal is lost.
Back-up rings solve this problem. They sit beside the O-ring in the groove and block that gap, giving the O-ring the mechanical support it needs to hold at pressures it couldn't handle on its own. If your system runs above 1,500 PSI or experiences pressure spikes, specifying back-up rings is the right call — not a precaution, just good engineering.
Industries We Serve
ENGINEERED FOR THE INDUSTRIES THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL
High performance O-rings from ISMAT are specified in some of the most demanding industrial processes across the globe. Each industry below brings its own combination of pressures, temperatures and fluid environments and our material range is designed to address them all.
Oil & Gas
Downhole tools, wellhead equipment, sour gas service and subsea completions
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Chemical Processing
Reactors, pumps, valves and piping in aggressive acid and solvent environments
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Aerospace
Hydraulic systems, fuel management and cryogenic service in aircraft and spacecraft
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Energy
Power generation, semiconductor manufacturing, geothermal and hydrogen systems
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Automotive
Fuel injection, transmission systems, turbochargers and EV battery coolant sealing
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Food & Beverage
FDA-compliant sealing for processing equipment, CIP systems and filling machinery
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Mining
High-pressure hydraulics, abrasive slurry equipment and earth-moving machinery seals
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Agriculture
Irrigation systems, spraying equipment and hydraulic machinery in demanding field conditions
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The Right Material Starts with the Right Knowledge
Our engineering team publishes detailed technical content on the materials, applications and failure modes that matter most to our customers.
Oil & Gas | Seal Failure
Compliance | Standards
FFKM | Sour Gas
Get In Touch
Get the Right O-Ring for Your Application
If you are not sure which material is right for your duty or if you are dealing with a seal failure you cannot explain - our engineering team is here to help. We regularly work with procurement engineers, maintenance teams and design departments to identify root causes of seal failure and recommend a better solution.
Share your operating parameters - media, temperature, pressure, groove dimensions and any certifications required and we will come back with a material recommendation backed by test data.