Many industries use oxygen. It’s one of the most reactive elements, which makes it useful in processes from steelmaking to paper production as well as healthcare and waste treatment. This reactivity, (a willingness to form chemical bonds with other elements,) also creates sealing problems. Here’s an overview of the challenges posed by oxygen and a discussion of the best gasket materials to use.
The Air We Breathe
Oxygen is one of the most plentiful elements and makes up some 20% of the air we breathe. It’s also locked into the oceans as water. At temperatures above -297°F (183°C) it’s a gas. Oxygen has a strong affinity for electrons, which is what lets it bond readily with many other chemicals. Rust and oxidation are the common results, although fire and explosions are always possible.
Oxygen Production
Oxygen is produced by cryogenic distillation or pressure swing adsorption (PSA). As the name implies, the cryogenic process entails cooling air until it becomes liquid, allowing the oxygen to boil off. This produces a very high purity gas.
PSA involves pushing air through aluminosilicate minerals. These take up the nitrogen, leaving just oxygen, but at a lower purity than the cryogenic process.
Keeping Oxygen Systems Clean
Given that oxygen is highly reactive, it’s essential that any surface it touches is clean. Some industries have special requirements for oxygen-clean surfaces. The standards applicable to your industry will specify the type and degree of cleaning needed.
Materials for Gaskets in Contact with Oxygen
Liquid oxygen can only be sealed by materials capable of withstanding very low temperatures. PTFE gaskets are a good choice as is FFKM (perfluoroelastomers) gasket material.
Good gasket materials for gaseous oxygen include neoprene, EPDM, silicone, butyl and Viton® (a DuPont brand name for FKM.) Rubber materials such as SBR and natural rubber should be avoided because of their tendency to react with oxygen.
Ask an Expert
Always consider temperature, pressure and the environment along with the media being sealed. For this reason, it’s prudent to consult with a materials specialist before ordering gaskets or gasket material.
