Viton™ O-Rings
Rubber O-rings are the most common sealing product in the world, and Viton™ is the most common rubber used for critical sealing applications.
An O-ring is a toroidal seal with a circular cross section. Used effectively, an O-ring can seal practically all fluids, both liquid and gas. Some plasmas too!
Viton™ is an organic fluorocarbon elastomer designated FKM by ASTM International. All FKM elastomers are built on a polymer chain of vinylidene C=CH2 with fluorine CF2=CH2.
Characteristics of Viton™
Advantages:
- Typical service temperature range is -4°F to +400°F (-20°C to +200°C), with special formulations ranging from -40°F to 500°F (-40°C to +260°C).
- Excellent resistance to oil, gasoline, hydraulic fluids, and hydrocarbon solvents (benzene, kerosene, toluene, xylene, etc.).
- Very good impermeability to gases and vapor.
- Very good resistance to weather, oxygen, ozone, and sunlight.
- Good flame retardance.
Limitations:
- Intermediate resistance to tear and cut growth.
- Very little resistance to oxygenated solvents (alcohols, ethers, esters, and ketones).
Examples of FKM elastomers:
Viton A-401C – general purpose bisphenol-cured FKM elastomer.
Viton B-600 – higher fluorine content that Viton A-401C.
Viton GF-600S – peroxide-cured FKM elastomer with higher fluorine content that Viton B-600.
Viton FGLT-600S – peroxide-cured FKM elastomer with low temperature sealing capability.
Viton Extreme ETP-600S – highest content of fluorine.