Kalrez® FFKM vs PTFE (Teflon) Seals and O-Rings
Kalrez® FFKM and PTFE (Teflon) are both widely used in demanding sealing applications involving aggressive chemicals, elevated temperatures, and harsh operating environments. While both materials offer exceptional chemical resistance, they differ significantly in flexibility, sealing behavior, mechanical properties, and application suitability. Kalrez® FFKM is a perfluoroelastomer designed to provide elastic sealing performance similar to traditional rubber O-rings, while PTFE is a rigid fluoropolymer commonly used in backup rings, spring energized seals, and machined sealing components.
Kalrez® FFKM O-rings, gaskets, and custom parts are often preferred where elasticity, compression recovery, and dynamic sealing are required. PTFE (Teflon) seals are commonly selected for extreme chemical exposure, low friction, and applications where rigid sealing materials are acceptable. Canyon Components supplies both Kalrez® FFKM and PTFE sealing solutions, including Canrez® perfluoroelastomer compounds that provide a competitively priced alternative with fast lead times and extremely high quality.
Common names include: Perfluoroelastomer, FFKM, PTFE seals, Teflon seals
Trade names include: Kalrez®, Canrez®, Chemraz®, Teflon®
Other FFKM Offerings - Canrez®
The Canrez® range of perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are at the leading edge of polymer technology. Proven in the field year after year, Canrez® materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts have been developed to offer superior sealing solutions with enhanced high temperature performance and fantastic chemical resistance at an extremely competitive price! Canrez materials are comparable, and sometimes superior to Kalrez®.
Learn more about CanRez™
Kalrez® FFKM Materials Available
This table shows many of our standard materials and links out to our O-ring store. Get in touch with us if you need a custom gasket, custom molded part, or non-standard geometry!
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Features of Kalrez® FFKM Compared to PTFE (Teflon)
- Kalrez® FFKM O-rings and gaskets provide elastic sealing force and compression recovery that PTFE materials cannot achieve without energizers or mechanical loading
- FFKM materials maintain flexibility and sealing integrity under thermal cycling and dynamic movement
- Kalrez® FFKM provides excellent chemical resistance across aggressive acids, solvents, fuels, and process chemicals
- PTFE (Teflon) offers extremely broad chemical resistance and very low surface friction
- PTFE materials provide lower friction and lower stick-slip behavior compared to elastomer O-rings
- Kalrez® FFKM seals are often easier to install and seal more effectively in standard O-ring gland designs
Limitations of Kalrez® FFKM Compared to PTFE (Teflon)
- Kalrez® FFKM materials generally have a higher cost than standard PTFE sealing materials
- PTFE (Teflon) lacks the elasticity of elastomer O-rings and may require spring energizers or special gland designs
- PTFE materials can experience creep and cold flow under load, especially in static sealing applications
- Kalrez® FFKM may have higher friction compared to PTFE in dynamic applications
- PTFE seals can be more difficult to install due to limited flexibility and deformation characteristics
- Over-specifying FFKM or PTFE in moderate environments can increase cost without added performance benefit
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
Industrial Usage of Kalrez® FFKM vs PTFE (Teflon) Seals and O-Rings
Kalrez® FFKM and PTFE (Teflon) sealing solutions are selected based on chemical exposure, temperature range, pressure, friction requirements, and sealing geometry. Choosing between these materials depends on whether the application requires elastic sealing behavior, low friction, extreme chemical resistance, or dimensional stability.
Canyon Components provides engineering support to assist with material selection, gland design, and sealing optimization. Our team can help evaluate whether Kalrez® FFKM, Canrez® FFKM, PTFE, or a hybrid sealing solution is best suited for your application. We also provide supporting documentation including Datasheets, TDS, Test Reports, MTR documentation, and MSDS or SDS resources to support qualification and performance validation.
Chemical Processing
Kalrez® FFKM and PTFE seals are used in systems handling aggressive acids, solvents, and corrosive chemicals
Semiconductor Manufacturing
FFKM materials are often selected for plasma resistance and elasticity, while PTFE is used for low friction and chemical inertness
Oil and Gas Industry
Kalrez® FFKM seals are commonly used for high pressure and high temperature sealing, while PTFE components are used in backup rings and specialty seal designs
Pharmaceutical and Food Processing
Both materials are used in sanitary applications depending on temperature, flexibility, and chemical resistance requirements
Vacuum and High Purity Systems
Kalrez® FFKM provides low outgassing elastic sealing, while PTFE offers strong chemical resistance and dimensional stability in vacuum environments
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
All Other FFKM Types Available
Canrez® FFKM O-Rings & Custom Parts
Canyon Components supplies Canrez® FFKM O-rings, equivalent to Kalrez®, Chemraz®, and Parker® O-rings, in AS568, JIS, and Metric sizes. These perfluoroelastomer O-rings provide exceptional chemical resistance, high-temperature stability, and long-term sealing performance for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing applications. Custom molded Canrez® parts available.
Kalrez® vs Canrez®: Comparing FFKM Sealing Solutions"
Compare Kalrez® vs Canrez® FFKM for O-rings, gaskets, and custom parts. Learn the differences in performance, availability, and cost to choose the best perfluoroelastomer for your application.
Kalrez FFKM O-Rings, Gaskets & Custom Parts
Canyon Components supplies genuine Kalrez® FFKM O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts with exceptional chemical resistance and high-temperature performance. Available in AS568, Metric, and custom sizes, with Canrez®, Chemraz®, and Parker® O-ring equivalents for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and chemical processing applications.
Parker Hannifin Parofluor FFKM O-Rings, Gaskets & Custom Parts
Canyon Components supplies genuine Parker Hannifin Parofluor FFKM materials for extreme chemical resistance and high temperature sealing. Compare Parofluor with Canrez® FFKM for O-rings, gaskets, and custom parts in demanding applications.
Chemraz FFKM O-Rings, Gaskets & Custom Parts
Canyon Components supplies Chemraz® FFKM O-rings engineered for the most demanding sealing applications. Known for extreme chemical resistance and high-temperature stability, Chemraz® O-rings provide reliable sealing in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and chemical processing environments. Alternatives include Kalrez®, Canrez®, and Parker® FFKM O-rings in AS568, Metric, and custom sizes.
Simriz® FFKM from Freudenberg: O-Rings, Gaskets, and Custom Parts
Canyon Components is a distributor of Simriz® FFKM O-rings designed for extreme chemical resistance and high temperature applications. Compare Simriz® with Canrez® FFKM for O-rings, gaskets, and custom parts in demanding sealing environments.
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