Email LinkFLUOROCARBON ELASTOMERS
Fluorocarbon compounds offer a remarkable blend of heat and fluids resistance.
Also referred to as fluoroelastomers, fluorocarbon compounds are thermoset
elastomers containing fluorine. Fluorocarbons make excellent general-purpose
seals thanks to their exceptional resistance to chemicals, oils, and
temperature extremes (-15° F to +400° F). Specialty compounds
can further extend the low temperature limit down to -22° F for dynamic
seals and -40° F in static applications. Fluorocarbons typically
have good compression set performance, low gas permeability, and resistance
to ozone and sunlight. Over the last five decades, this remarkable combination
of properties has prompted the use of fluorocarbon seals in a variety
of demanding sectors. Though they were initially formulated for use in
aerospace applications, fluorocarbons are now widely used in the automotive,
appliance, fluid power, and chemical processing industries.
The original commercial fluorocarbon, Viton® A, is the general-purpose
type and is still the most widely used. It is a copolymer of vinylidene
fluoride (VF2) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP). Generally composed of 66%
fluorine, Viton A compounds offer excellent resistance against many automotive
and aviation fuels, as well as both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon
process fluids and chemicals. Viton A compounds are also resistant to
engine lubricating oils, aqueous fluids, steam, and mineral acids.
Viton B fluorocarbons are terpolymers combining tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)
with VF2 and HFP. Depending on the exact formulation, the TFE partially
replaces either the VF2 (which raises the fluorine level to approximately
68%) or the HFP (keeping the fluorine level steady at 66%). Viton B compounds
offer better fluids resistance than the Viton A copolymers.
Viton GF fluorocarbons are tetrapolymers composed of TFE, VF2, HFP, and small amounts of a cure site monomer (Csm). Presence of the cure site monomer allows peroxide curing of the compound, which is normally 70% fluorine. As the most fluid resistant of the FKM types, Viton GF compounds offer improved resistance to water, steam, and acids.
Viton GFLT fluorocarbons are similar to Viton GF, except that perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE) is used in place of HFP. The "LT" in Viton GFLT stands for "low temperature." The combination of VF2, PMVE, TFE, and a cure site monomer is designed to retain both the superior chemical resistance and high heat resistance of the G-series fluorocarbons. In addition, Viton GFLT compounds (typically 67% fluorine) offer the lowest swell and the best low temperature properties of the types discussed here. Viton GFLT can seal in a static situation down to approximately -40° F. A brittle point of -50° F can be achieved through careful compounding.
There are other fluorocarbon formulations in use, but hopefully this gave you a useful overview of some of the most common compounds. Please feel free to call us if you’d like to find out more about the benefits of fluorocarbon elastomers.
Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont Dow Elastomers.
