THE ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES OF RUBBER
Fluorelastomere, FKM/FPM, also known as Viton Elastomer by DuPont
The rubber: |
The following elastomere types can be discerned: Copolymere (2 monomers, 65% - 66% fluorine), Terpolymere (3 monomeres, 65% - 71% fluorine) and Tetrapolymere (4 monomeres, 67% - 69% fluorine) types. Also bisphenol vulcanised types and peroxide vulcanised types can be discerned. The fluorine content and the different monomer types including the different kinds of vulcanisation, lead to different properties as well as chemical and high and low temperature resistancy’s. |
Resistance and properties: |
This elastomere is very resistant to many chemicals and performs well at high temperatures. It also has a good oil and high energy radiation resistancy. FKM/FPM has a high density and a high price per kilogram. The lowest possible Shore hardness is 50 – 60 Shore A. It also has an excellent resistancy to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and petroleum based fluids. |
Downsides: | FKM/FPM has a poor low temperature resistancy (TR 10 minus 16 – 18 degrees Celsius). The more expensive types have a better performance, but the TR 10 is limited to minus 32 degrees Celsius. FKM has a poor resistancy to esters (phosphate ester hydraulic fluids of for instance aeroplanes), ketones and amines. |
Applications: | FKM/FPM is widely used in hydraulic equipment, ship building applications, etc. |