Sealing requirements in low-temperature environments mainly include the following aspects:

• Elasticity Retention at Low Temperatures

  Perfluoroelastomer O-rings need to maintain good elasticity to ensure reliable sealing performance in low-temperature conditions. In cold environments, materials may harden or become brittle, leading to reduced elasticity and subsequent degradation of sealing performance. Therefore, perfluoroelastomer O-rings must exhibit high elasticity retention to adapt to deformation and twisting in low-temperature settings.

• Chemical Resistance at Low Temperatures

  In low-temperature environments, the corrosivity of certain chemicals may increase, placing higher demands on the material of sealing components. Perfluoroelastomers, the main component of these O-rings, possess excellent chemical resistance and can operate long-term in various highly corrosive media. Thus, they have the potential to maintain good chemical resistance even at low temperatures.

• Sealing Performance at Low Temperatures

  In low-temperature environments, gases or liquids may exhibit increased viscosity, and thermal expansion or contraction may occur. Perfluoroelastomer O-rings must therefore have enhanced compression and deformation capabilities to ensure effective sealing. As a result, they need to feature properties that adapt to low-temperature-induced deformation.

Experimental evidence confirms that perfluoroelastomer O-rings can meet low-temperature sealing requirements under certain conditions. Research and experimental data supporting this view demonstrate their feasibility for low-temperature applications:

1. Studies indicate that perfluoroelastomer O-rings maintain excellent chemical resistance and heat resistance within the temperature range of -50°C to 232°C.
2. A study on the performance of perfluoroelastomer O-rings in low-temperature environments found that while the material’s hardness and tensile strength decrease, it retains good plasticity and toughness, along with satisfactory low-temperature elasticity. Optimizing its structure and composition can further improve low-temperature sealing performance. Researchers have enhanced such performance by adding specific fillers and modifying the crosslinking structure of perfluoroelastomers.
3. In low-temperature environments, perfluoroelastomer O-rings retain material elasticity as a prerequisite for effective sealing.
4. In practical applications, perfluoroelastomer O-rings have been used for low-temperature sealing needs, such as in low-temperature oil and gas transmission pipelines, cryogenic reactors, and sealing components for deep-cooling equipment. These applications further validate their feasibility in low-temperature environments.