HOW IT’S MADE: Teflon® Encapsulated O-Rings
Teflon® encapsulated O-rings, also known as FEP/PFA encapsulated O-rings. They combine the resilience and compression set resistance of an elastomer with the chemical resistance of Teflon®. Known generically as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or its copolymers like fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).
At M-Cor, the process of How It’s Made: Teflon® encapsulated O-rings includes the following steps:
- Elastomeric Core Selection: We begin by selecting an elastomer core, typically made from silicone, FKM Viton, or EPDM. Our guide helps you specify the right material for your application.
- Teflon® Encapsulation: Next, we encapsulate the elastomer in Teflon® FEP or PFA, using one of two methods:
- Extrusion: We extrude Teflon® into a tube, then cut it to the correct length. The tube is sealed around the elastomer core, creating a seamless and leak-free encapsulation that fully encloses the core.
- Molding: For certain applications, we mold Teflon® directly around the elastomer core, producing a highly durable encapsulation in one step.
- Curing: We then cure the Teflon® encapsulated O-ring at elevated temperatures, ensuring proper bonding and durability.
- Finishing: After curing, we perform finishing processes to smooth the encapsulated O-ring, removing any burrs or protrusions that could affect sealing performance.
- Inspection and Testing: Finally, we inspect each Teflon® encapsulated O-ring thoroughly for defects and test it to ensure it meets all customer specifications.
M-Cor Inc.’s Teflon® Encapsulated O-rings excel in applications where standard O-rings would fail, such as in environments with aggressive chemicals, extreme temperatures, or where purity is essential—like in chemical processing, food, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.
Trust M-Cor Inc., a leader in manufacturing Teflon® encapsulated O-rings for over 35 years.