Fluoroelastomer (FKM) vs Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
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Fluorinated, carbon-based synthetic rubber materials, known as fluoroelastomer or FKM, emerged as a popular choice for high-performance seals in the late 1950s. Those materials can withstand temperatures greater than 200°C and are still used to manufacture O-rings, seals and gaskets for automotive, aerospace, energy and other industries.
In the 1970s, DuPont™ introduced Kalrez®, a perfluoroelastomer or FFKM compound, as the gold standard elastomer for high-performance seals in aggressive media environments. FFKM has since been enhanced for even greater performance and is more widely available.
FFKM has a fluorinated backbone and higher fluorine content than the FKM compound, which allows for greater material elasticity. It also has a higher temperature rating of up to 325°C. FFKM has a nearly universal chemical compatibility, making it an ideal choice for challenging applications.
Due to its superior inert properties, FFKM resists volume swell when exposed to more than 1,800 chemicals, solvents and plasmas. FFKM can also withstand the harshest conditions, including those found in medical applications where aggressive agents and steam are used for sterilization and semiconductor manufacturing where oxygen plasma is present.
Because of those advantages, FFKM parts are a viable choice for chemical processing, aerospace, oil and gas exploration, paint and ink production, water and irrigation, life science, medical, and food manufacturing and processing applications.
Humphrey Products has offered FKM as a temperature and chemical compatibility sealing option on their industrial and specialty valves for many years.
Today, Humphrey offers an FFKM diaphragm option for our 350 Series 2-port and 370 Series 3-port iDP aggressive media solenoid valves. We’ve paired the FFKM diaphragm option with our inert Radel® body material to ensure our iDP valves can safely control the most difficult liquid and gas media, including reagents, chemicals, cleaners, and even steam.
Trust the long-term, proven performance of FFKM parts to reduce the frequency of seal changes, lower inspection and repair costs, improve equipment uptime and increase productivity and yield.
For more information, contact Humphrey Products online or call 1.800.477.8707.
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FFKM or Perflouroelastomer is the best choice for extremely challenging sealing applications. It contains higher amounts of Flourine than standard FKM. It has an exceptional level of resistance to almost all chemicals and holds up to a temperature range of -40°C to +330°C. FFKM is, therefore, the perfect long-lasting rubber material for applications with repeated and longer contact with hydrocarbons, highly corrosive liquids and a competitively higher range of temperatures.
Read below to understand how FFKM rubber seals benefit industries with the most challenging application needs.
FFKM provides resistant to nearly all kinds of chemicals along with standard FKMs’ elasticity. When used in a chemical processing application, it enhances the performance of the process by reducing its downtime and regular maintenance expenditure.
FFKMs’ versatile properties make it durable and reliable along with a strong resistant to near-universal chemicals. It has proven to be an excellent sealing solution for valves and pumps belonging to all industries with chemical processes.
FFKM rubber seals are ideal for safe railways, roadways and maritime chemical transportation. Its 72.5% fluorine content makes it the highest fluorinated elastomer and enhances its level of resistance to chemicals. It is the most preferred rubber seal for resisting the broadest range of chemical from a multitude of industries.
FFKMs’ terrifically wide temperature working range has made it a priority in the Oil and Gas industry. Similar to the chemical processes, the oil and gas industry demands high-quality resistance for their high temperature and demanding applications.
Unlike most polymers, FFKM offers valuable resistance to temperatures as high as +330°C and as low as -40°C. It has a higher level of resistance to different oils and gases. What’s more, it has a superior compression level at higher temperatures.
FFKMs’ application extends to sour gas resistance. It is also formulated to provide stronger resistance to Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD). It paves the way for safer operation of processes in harsh environments from the oil and gas industry.
FFKM rubber is the only rubber material with such outstanding properties. These properties allow FFKM to be applicable in a myriad of industrial applications. Aerospace, Energy, Industrial, Pharmaceutical, and Semiconductor are some of the common industries that operate with the assistance of FFKM seals.
Harkesh is a leading provider of innovative rubber solutions for the last 35 years. We have successfully fulfilled various rubber needs across market segments and industries. Contact us for more details on FFKM rubber seals.
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