Viton / FKM | O-Ring (2024)

FAQs

Is Viton better than FKM? ›

Since Viton® performs better than hydrocarbon rubbers in fluid resistance, blends of other rubbers with Viton® typically perform significantly poorer than 100% FKM. Blends of Viton® with hydrocarbon rubbers do not perform “almost like FKM” or anything close to it.

Important Limitations

While Viton® is resistant to a long list of chemicals, it is not recommended for exposure to: Ketones. Amines. Low molecular weight esters and ethers.

On the downside, FKM is known to swell in fluorinated solvents and cannot be used with molten or gaseous alkali metals. FKM rubber is a premium product, due to its chemical makeup and subsequent chemical resistance.

Fluoro-Elastomer is usually referred to as FKM FPM or as VITON™ after the popular brand which produces it. You may see this rubber listed in different places with these different names, but they are all one and the same. Originally developed by Du Pont, it is produced by a number of companies around the world.

Cold—Viton is generally serviceable in dynamic applications down to –18 to –23°C (0 to –10°F), although special formulations permit its use in static applications down to –54°C (–65°F). Also, Viton has proven to be satisfactory for static seals used under conditions approaching absolute zero.

Buna is effective to 250°F. However, it can effectively seal mechanical objects at low temperatures to –22°F. Viton seals are rendered ineffective at temperatures below 5°F, with the material becoming hard and inflexible.

The shelf life for seals made of nitrile, neoprene, butyl, viton, SBR, silicone, ethylene propylene, acrylate, and urethane can be extended to 32 years minimum for most sealing applications.

Well, Viton™ is frequently used in appliance processing, automotive and chemical industries. We also supply Viton™ products to aerospace companies, oil and gas exploration industries and petroleum refining and transportation businesses.

Closure of raw material production facilities: The recent closures of an LG Chem NBR plant in South Korea and the forced closure of a 3M plant in Europe responsible for producing vital ingredients used in FKM are adding to the rubber supply chain woes.

What material is equivalent to FKM? ›

Fluoroelastomer, FKM, FPM, and Viton® are all different names for the same synthetic rubber material family. There are even more names for this material than we have listed here, these are simply the most common names.

FKM compounds typically range from 55 to 90 durometer. Typical uses for FKM in the aeronautical industry include O-rings, gaskets, shafts, fuel hoses, joints, and other electrical connector components that are subjected to intense temperatures and pressure changes during flights.

Crucial Differences

Viton® standard compounds can withstand temperatures up to 446℉, while Buna o-rings can only handle up to 257℉. Conversely, when it comes to low temperature applications, Buna outperforms Viton®—withstanding temperatures down to -40℉ while standard Viton® can only handle down to -13℉.

Cold—Viton™ low temperature performance is dependent on type, with serviceability as low as –31 °C (–24 °F) in dynamic seals and –45 °C (–49 °F) in static seals using Viton™ GLT-S.

Viton shines when it comes to chemical and heat resistance. It's also got a good mechanical strength. But, it's not as flexible as Silicone, especially at lower temperatures, and it can be more expensive.

Viton and Buna seals have several very crucial differences that make them especially well-suited to certain applications. While both Viton and Buna seals both serve as great sealing options at moderate temperatures, Viton is far superior to Buna for high temperature applications.