Chemical Resistant O Ring Seals for Agricultural Harvesting Robots

In agricultural harvesting robots, the end effector frequently operates in
direct contact with pesticides, fruit and vegetable juices, and various
cleaning agents. These media often contain strong acids, strong alkalis,
organic solvents, and multiple organic acids, all of which can significantly
accelerate the degradation, swelling, or failure of conventional rubber
materials.

Selecting an O‑ring material with excellent chemical inertness is therefore
essential to ensure long‑term sealing reliability.

Below is an overview of several suitable materials and their performance
characteristics for this application.

Fluorocarbon Rubber (FKM)

Key Characteristics:

Excellent resistance to most pesticide solvents, especially oil‑based
formulations

Strong compatibility with organic acids found in fruit and vegetable juices

Good high‑temperature resistance

Stable performance in dynamic sealing applications such as joints, pistons,
and actuators

Industry Assessment:

FKM is the mainstream choice for agricultural machinery requiring
chemical‑resistant sealing. It offers a balanced combination of
performance, durability, and cost, making it ideal for most harvesting robot
end effectors.

Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)

Key Characteristics:

Near‑universal chemical compatibility, including strong acids, strong
oxidizers, and aggressive organic solvents

Extremely long service life under harsh chemical and thermal conditions

Significantly superior chemical resistance compared to standard FKM

Industry Assessment:

FFKM is a premium sealing material designed for extreme environments. It is
suitable for high‑precision harvesting systems, continuous‑operation
equipment, or applications where downtime costs are high.

Its main limitation is cost, which is substantially higher than other
elastomers.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Key Characteristics:

Exceptional chemical inertness; compatible with nearly all pesticides,
acids, alkalis, and solvents

Completely resistant to fruit and vegetable juice corrosion

Limitations:

High rigidity and lack of elasticity make it unsuitable as a standalone
O‑ring

Commonly used as gaskets, valve seats, or PTFE‑encapsulated O‑rings

Susceptible to cold flow under high pressure; requires structural
compensation such as backup rings, shoulders, or limiters

Industry Assessment:

PTFE is appropriate for applications requiring maximum chemical stability,
provided the sealing structure can accommodate a non‑elastic material.

Recommended Selection Strategy

General agricultural harvesting robots:

✔ Use FKM O‑rings for reliable, cost‑effective chemical resistance.

High‑corrosion or high‑value equipment:

✔ Use FFKM O‑rings to achieve maximum sealing reliability and extended
service life.

Special structures or extreme chemical environments:

✔ Consider PTFE‑encapsulated O‑rings, combined with appropriate
structural design.

For systems exposed to unique pesticide formulations or alternating chemical
media, conducting material compatibility verification or developing
customized sealing solutions is recommended to ensure long‑term operational
stability and reduced maintenance costs.

Minimum Order: 10000 pieces

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