Choosing the right sealing material for solenoid valves- Staiger chemical compatibility tool
Why is sealing material important in solenoid valve?
The sealing material is one of the most important components of a solenoid valve since it is in close contact with the media and decides whether the valve remains leak-tight throughout its life. Even if the valve body, actuation, and sizing are correct, an improper sealing material can soon cause leakage, performance loss, or failure.
Sealing materials must be resistant to chemical exposure, pressure fluctuations, temperature changes, and frequent switching cycles. If the material is incompatible with the operating medium, it may expand, harden, crack, or lose elasticity. This can result in internal leakage, media contamination, higher wear, and lower system reliability.
Sealing materials also affect response behavior, service life, and system safety. Even small leaks in precision applications might lead to unsteady flow control or improper dosage. In safety-critical or regulated contexts, sealing failure may compromise the entire system. As a result, choosing the correct sealing material is more than just a material choice; it is a functional decision that defines the solenoid valve's long-term performance and reliability.
Common solenoid valve sealing materials
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
Often used in steam, water, and air applications. EPDM is not appropriate for oils or hydrocarbons, although it has good flexibility and temperature resistance.
FKM (Fluorocarbon / Viton®)
It is commonly used for a variety of industrial gases, oxygen, oils, fuels, and solvents. FKM is a popular all-round sealing substance because it offers outstanding chemical resistance and functions effectively at greater temperatures.
FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer)
It is utilized in essential or chemically harsh applications. FFKM is usually chosen for high-purity, analytical, and medical systems because it provides a broad spectrum of chemical resistance.
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
It is appropriate for aggressive or high-purity media because it is low-friction and chemically inert. PTFE is frequently utilized in situations where chemical resistance is more crucial than flexibility because it has less elasticity than elastomers.
NBR (nitrile rubber)
NBR works well with oils, greases, fuels, and oil-based compressed air. It has high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, making it ideal for industrial and hydraulic applications. However, its resistance to heat, ozone, and harsh chemicals is limited.
Staiger Chemical Compatibility Tool – an easy way to select the right sealing
To support correct sealing material selection, Staiger provides a dedicated Chemical Compatibility Tool on its website. The tool helps engineers and designers quickly evaluate how different sealing materials behave when exposed to specific operating media.It is based on laboratory testing and application experience and serves as a practical guideline during valve and sealing selection.
Step-by-step guide to using the staiger chemical compatibility tool
1. Navigate to the Shop section and open the filter options on the valve or micro valve product pages.
2. Click on the Icon seen in the photo
3. Use the search field to enter or select your operating medium (for example air, oxygen, ethanol, solvents, acids).
4. Review the compatibility table showing how different sealing materials (such as EPDM, NBR, FKM, FFKM, PTFE) react with the selected medium.
5. Interpret the ratings:
- A – No to slight material change
- B – Slight to moderate change
- C – Moderate to severe change
- D – Not recommended
- – No data available
6. Shortlist sealing materials rated A (and B where acceptable) and avoid materials marked D for long-term, reliable operation.
7. For applications involving high temperatures, concentrations, pressures, or safety relevance, validate the selection through testing or technical consultation.
Use the Staiger Chemical Compatibility Tool to check sealing suitability for your media
Contact our technical team for support with critical or application-specific requirements.