FPM RUBBER

FPM RUBBER (Viton®, Fluorel®,Tecnoflon®) or fluorinated rubbers

General characteristics

Fluorinated elastomers are non-flammable and have a good resistance to high temperatures, ozone, oxygen, mineral oils, synthetic hydraulic fluids, fuels, aromatic compounds, many solvents and organic chemical agents. If the compounds are correctly formulated, they are resistant to water, steam, and a series of acids. The HIGH price and elasticity at low temperatures, which is not always satisfactory, are the disadvantages of this type of rubber.

Here below we report some indicative values that can be obtained by using the different compound recipes:

  • Hardness: from 65 to 90 Shore A;
  • Flame resistance: excellent;
  • Impact resistance: very limited from 5 to 8%;
  • Elongation to breakage: from 100 to 300%;
  • Heat resistance: Excellent up to 200°C and for brief times even at higher temperatures;
  • Resistance to low temperatures: FPM vulcanizates can generally be dynamically stressed down to -20°C;
  • Resistance to ozone, aging and weather: excellent;
  • Resistance to irradiation: contrary to expectations, lower than conventional elastomers, for example SBR, EMPD and NBR.

Chemical resistance:

Good resistance to:

  • Mineral oils and greases;
  • Flame retardant hydraulic fluids of the HFD group;
  • Silicone oils and greases;
  • Vegetable and animal oils and greases;
  • Aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, butane, propane, methane, etc.);
  • Aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene and toluene);
  • Chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g. trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride);
  • Fuels containing methanol (particular compounds).

Not resistant to:

  • Polar solvents such as acetone, ethylene acetate, diethyl ether and dioxane;
  • Shirolo 500;
  • Glycol-based brake fluids;
  • Ammonia gas, amines and alkalis;
  • Superheated steam (breaks down the elastomer);
  • Low molecular weight organic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid;
  • Chlorosulfonic acid.

Fields of application

Fluorinated rubbers are mainly used for the production of gaskets, molded articles and tubes that must be stressed up to 200°C and that come into contact with lubricants, flame retardant hydraulic fluids and aggressive chemical agents. Used in sectors such as plants and special mechanics.

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