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Viton is a brand of synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer commonly used in O-rings and other moulded or extruded goods. The name is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers L.L.C..
Viton fluoroelastomers are categorized under the ASTM D1418 & ISO 1629 designation of FKM. This class of elastomers is a family comprising copolymers of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and vinylidene fluoride (VDF or VF2), terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) as well as perfluoromethylvinylether (PMVE) containing specialties. The fluorine content of the most common Viton grades varies between 66 and 70%.
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Varieties
There are four families of viton polymers
- A (Dipolymers of VF2/HFP): General purpose sealing. Automotive, Aerospace fuels & lubricants
- B (Terpolymers of VF2/HFP/TFE): Chemical Process plant, Power Utility Seals & Gaskets
- F (Terpolymers of VF2/HFP/TFE): Oxygenated Automotive fuels. Concentrated aqueous inorganic acids, water, steam
- Viton Extreme (Copolymers of TFE/Propylene and Ethylene/TFE/PMVE): Automotive, Oil Exploration, Special Sealing, Ultra Harsh Environments
Applications
The performance of fluoroelastomers in aggressive chemicals depends on the nature of the base polymer and the compounding ingredients used for moulding the final products (e.g. O-rings). This performance can vary significantly when end-users purchase Viton polymer containing rubber goods from different sources. Viton is generally compatible with hydrocarbons, but incompatible with ketones such as acetone, and organic acids such as acetic acid. O-rings made of Viton are typically color coded as black, but new gaskets, seals and O-rings should be green FKM or black FKM, but with a green mark on the outer edge.
Viton O-rings have been used safely for some time in the SCUBA diving world for divers who dive with gas blends referred to as Nitrox. Viton is used because it has a lower probability of catching fire, even with the increased percentages of oxygen found in Nitrox. It is also less susceptible to decay under increased oxygen conditions.
Viton tubing or Viton lined hoses are commonly recommended in automotive and other transportation fuel applications when high concentrations of biodiesel are required. Studies indicate that types B and F (FKM- GBL-S and FKM-GF-S) are more resistant to acidic biodiesel. (This is biodiesel fuel that is unstable and oxidising.)
External links
See also
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