FPM is the international abbreviation according to DIN/ISO, whereas FKM is the short form for the fluoroelastomer category according to the American standard ASTM. Viton® is the registered trade mark of DuPont Performance Elastomers, as is Tecnoflon® for Solvay Specialty Polymers, Dyneon™ for 3M Dyneon and DAI-EL™ for polymers supplied by Daikin.
The chemical resistance and high temperature stability is due to the bulkiness of the fluorine atoms, shielding the polymer backbone and carbon-fluor bond from attack, and the high bonding energy of the carbon-fluor bond.
The origin of FPM/FKM Viton®
The first FKM fluoroelastomer found its way into the market in the 50s when there was need for high performance sealings in the aerospace industry. In that time FKM was developed by the company Dupont Performance Elastomers and was brought to market under the trademark Viton®. Nowadays, multiple company’s manufacture FKM and FPM fluoroelastomers.
Viton®, also known as FKM and FPM whereby FPM is the international name according to DIN/ISO, whereas FKM the short form is for the fluoroelastomer category according to the American standard ASTM.
Viton® is the registered trade mark of DuPont Performance Elastomers, as is Tecnoflon® for Solvay Specialty Polymers, Dyneon™ for 3M Dyneon and DAI-EL™ for polymers from Daikin. All these are brands for FPM/FKM polymers and all stand for one singe base material, which is fluoroelastomer.
What is Viton®?
This fluoroelastomer is used in multiple situations where O-rings need to be resistant to high temperatures and chemical attacks. The FPM/FKM Viton® sealing rings are often used in the aerospace, the automotive and other mechanical equipment requiring maximum resistance to high temperatures and all kinds of chemicals, fluids and other media.
What is Viton® used for?
The advantages of Viton®
The downside of Viton®
