Fluoroelastomer Specialists
Selecting the right FKM grade while designing or creating a new specification is very important to ensure you get the right seals every time. A brief survey of FKM grades and their physical properties reveals various strengths for various applications.
If you are not from the polymer background, it is likely that you associate FKM with the name “Viton.” Viton is the DuPont brand name for its range Of Fluoroelastomers. However, there are other leading companies in the world which also manufacture FKM under their own brand names, namely Dyneon by 3M, Dai-El by Daikin, and Tecnoflori by Solvay Solexis.
Though not widely known, there are various types of Fluoroelastomers, and physical properties like compression set, fluid resistance, low-temperature resistance, etc. can vary significantly based on the choice of FKM grade and formulation.
Fluoroelastomers are divided into broad categories based on several factors. Typically, the monomer composition, cure mechanism, and curative level divide the classes. From these classes, generalizations usually can be drawn on the mechanical/physical properties, fluid and heat resistance, and processing characteristics of any given KFM.
Read more: Fluoroelastomer (FKM) for Valve Seals
