Archive: Sep 2025

Choosing High Temperature Seals

High Temperature Seals

Seals are an integral component for many industries including aerospace, marine, and automotive. In each of these industries, high temperature is often a key factor. Since high temperature dramatically impacts seal integrity, performance, and life, choosing the right material and design will directly impact whether the seal will endure and perform as required, or will break down and fail. As seals in high temperature applications are constantly pushed to their limits, several key factors must be considered.

 

What are High Temperature Seals?

High-temperature seals are specialized sealing solutions used to prevent leakage, contain pressure and avoid contamination. Standard high temperature seals are designed to withstand extreme heat conditions, typically ranging from 200°F to 450°F. These seals are commonly used in pumps, compressors, and agitators handling hot fluids, steam, or aggressive chemicals.

APU Seal. RCF Technologies

Selecting the Right High Temperature Seals

High-temperature environments place extraordinary stress on seals, making the selection of the proper seal essential for both performance and lasting durability. Some of the key issues that must be addressed are thermal expansion, seal design and, of course, temperature range.

High Temp engine seal made of orange rishon matrial by rcf technologies

 

Why are Rishon® High Temperature Seals Different?

Seals made by RCF Technologies are made utilizing Rishon® Material. Rishon, an extremely thermally stable material, is a composite comprised of our proprietary silicone and fiberglass. Rishon High Temperature seals function like other seals, but have a longer life, are more robust, and have an operating temperature range of -170°F to 850°F continuous, far exceeded the temperature range of other “high temperature” seals. Rishon seals can also take excursions down to cryogenic temperatures and all the way up to temperatures exceeding 1832°F (1000°C).

High Temp Seal made of orange Rishon material by RCF Technologies

Avoiding Compression Set

Compression set occurs when a seal becomes permanently deformation after prolonged compression and heat exposure. High temperature seals are particularly susceptible to compression set for obvious reasons. Rishon seals have never taken a set in service, even at 850°F, which is why they offer a longer life than standard seals. Standard seals require 18 – 20% squeeze to energize. Rishon seals energize at approximately 6% squeeze, therefore, there is never enough compression to cause these seals to take a set, resulting in longer life and more reliable performance.

High Temp Bulb Seal made of orange Rishon material by RCF Technologies

RCF Technologies – The High Temperature Sealing Experts

Extreme temperatures are tough on seals, but RCF has solutions. With 50 years of experience, our knowledge of both rubber and fabric allows RCF engineers to design parts utilizing the unique properties of Rishon Material resulting in creative solutions not achievable with other elastomeric materials.

For more information about RCF High Temperature Seals, visit www.rcftechnologies.com.