Thursday, January 11, 2018

FKM Fluoroelastomer / Viton O-Rings and Seals

O-Ring and Seals protection for harsh environments remains a continuing challenge in many industries. One of the best solutions for long-term efficiency and reliability is the use of fluorocarbon elastomers (FKMs).

In general, most fluorocarbon elastomers (FKMs) resist temperatures up to 204°C/400°F and remain flexible at lows of -26°C/-15°F.  Superior compression set and recovery, and high performance in contact with severe chemicals, are the hallmarks of fluoroelastomers.  They perform well in vacuum applications and have very good ozone , weather and aging resistance.  In addition, the durability of fluoroelastomer seals saves on downtime and replacement costs.

FKM O-Rings and Seals are frequently used in industrial, oil and gas, automotive, aerospace and defense, and medical and life sciences, among other industries, to seal against gasoline, butane, propane, natural gas, grease, hydraulic fluids, solvents, and mineral-based oils and acids.
Ideal for sealing in critical harsh environments, fluorocarbon elastomers are available in a wide selection of stock and custom formulations, with differences in fluid resistance based on the amount of fluorine added.  Some examples of these varieties of FKMs:
  • An economical FKM with typical chemical resistance and temperature range is available with a 75 durometer, tensile strength of 1000, 200% elongations at break, 100ppi tear strength, and compression set of 36%
  • Another 75-durometer FKM designed for high temperature, offers excellent resistance to acids, bases, sour gas and oil, high pressure steam and alcohols, and high pH corrosion inhibitors, as well as satisfactorily resisting ketones, esters and ethers, aromatic solvents and fuels.  Tensile strength of this formulation increases to 2600 and tear strength of 128ppi, with a slight drop in compression set of 31%.  While most fluorocarbon elastomers do not perform well in steam or hot water environments, a select group of custom compounds such as this are specifically designed for them
  • On the other hand, a low compression set FKM compound (7%) that is superior in resisting aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, animal and vegetable oils, chlorinated solvents, fuels, lubricants, ozone, petroleum oils, and weathering, is not recommended for use with acids, hot water or steam, esters, ethers, ketones, and certain amines
  • A premium-grade FKM seal that is heat-resistant to 500°F but has a lower compression set of 16% meets Mil-R-25897, ASTM D-2000, and AMS-7278D requirements
 Designing an FKM O-Rings and  Seals for the best combination of attributes for any demanding environment must include precise specifications for:
  • Temperature
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Mechanical Stresses
  • Compression Load
  • Aging
  • Ozone and Weathering
  • Flame Retardance
  • Gas Permeability
  • Fungus and Mold Resistance
  • Electrical Considerations
  • Other Environmental Conditions
  • Installation Considerations
While FKM fluorocarbon elastomers is a more expensive option, their use may actually save significantly on downtime and replacements, offering a savings of labor, parts and productivity costs over the life of the product.

For Further Details Email us :  orings-seals@fitco.co.in
www.fitco.co.in 

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