Viton FKM O-Rings
Premium Viton Fluoroelastomer (FKM) O-rings engineered for extreme chemical resistance and high-temperature performance. The aerospace industry standard for applications requiring superior resistance to aggressive chemicals, fuels, and elevated temperatures up to 200°C.
Viton FKM Properties & Specifications
📊 Physical Properties
| Material Type | Fluoroelastomer (FKM/Viton) |
| Continuous Temperature | -20°C to 200°C (-4°F to 392°F) |
| Short-term Temperature | Up to 230°C (446°F) |
| Hardness Range | 70-90 Shore A |
| Tensile Strength | 10.3-20.7 MPa (1500-3000 psi) |
| Elongation at Break | 150-350% |
🎨 Available Options
Temperature Performance
| Temperature Range | Fahrenheit | Celsius | Duration | Performance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Operating | -4°F to +428°F | -20°C to +220°C | Unlimited | Optimal performance range |
| Short-term Exposure | Up to +482°F | Up to +250°C | Up to 48 hours | Emergency/startup conditions |
| Brittle Point | N/A | Becomes rigid, may crack |
Chemical Compatibility
✅ Excellent Resistance
- Jet Fuels and Aviation Gasoline
- Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
- Strong Acids and Oxidizing Chemicals
- Hydraulic Fluids (synthetic)
- High Temperature Steam
- Ozone and Weather Exposure
⚠️ Poor/No Resistance
- Ketones and Esters
- Hot Water and Steam (above 150°C)
- Ammonia and Amines
- Polar Solvents
- Brake Fluids (glycol-based)
| Chemical/Fluid | Concentration | Temperature | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Fuel | 100% | Room Temp | Excellent | Ideal for fuel systems |
| Jet Fuel (JP-4) | 100% | Up to 150°C | Excellent | Aerospace standard |
| Sulfuric Acid | 96% | Room Temp | Excellent | Strong acid resistance |
| Motor Oil (SAE 30) | 100% | 150°C | Excellent | High temperature oil contact |
| Hydraulic Fluid (Skydrol) | 100% | 200°C | Excellent | Aviation hydraulics |
| Methanol | 100% | Room Temp | Fair | Limited compatibility |
| Hot Water | 100% | Above 150°C | Poor | Use FFKM for hot water |
| Ammonia | Anhydrous | Room Temp | Poor | Not recommended |
Rating Scale: Excellent = No effect, Good = Slight effect acceptable, Fair = Moderate effect, Poor = Severe effect, not recommended
Common Applications
🏭 Industrial Applications
- Chemical Processing Equipment
- High-Temperature Furnace Seals
- Petrochemical Industry
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
🚗 Automotive Applications
- High-Performance Engine Seals
- Turbocharger Components
- Fuel System Injectors
- Racing and Performance Vehicles
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
🏠 Consumer Applications
- High-End Coffee Machine Seals
- Laboratory Equipment
- Industrial Cleaning Equipment
- Scientific Instruments
- Professional Grade Tools
Advanced Industry Applications & Case Studies
🚁 Aerospace Applications
Viton FKM O-rings are the aerospace industry standard for critical sealing applications. They excel in:
- Jet Engine Fuel Systems: Viton FKM seals maintain integrity in contact with JP-4, JP-5, and JP-8 jet fuels at operating temperatures up to 200°C
- Hydraulic Systems: Compatible with Skydrol and other fire-resistant hydraulic fluids used in aircraft
- Environmental Seals: Resist ozone, UV radiation, and temperature cycling from -40°C to 200°C at high altitudes
- APU (Auxiliary Power Unit): Critical sealing components that must function reliably during startup and shutdown cycles
Case Study: Boeing 787 uses over 200 Viton FKM O-rings in fuel and hydraulic systems, with a service life exceeding 25,000 flight hours.
🏭 Chemical Processing Excellence
In aggressive chemical environments, Viton FKM provides unmatched reliability:
- Concentrated Acids: Maintains seal integrity in 98% sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and mixed acid environments
- Aromatic Solvents: Excellent resistance to benzene, toluene, xylene, and other aromatics that destroy standard elastomers
- High-Temperature Processes: Sealing capability in processes operating at 180-220°C with aggressive chemicals
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: FDA-compliant grades for pharmaceutical processing equipment
Performance Data: In 96% sulfuric acid at room temperature, Viton FKM shows less than 2% volume swell after 168 hours exposure.
🔬 Laboratory & Analytical
- GC/MS injection port seals
- HPLC system components
- Vacuum chamber seals
- Spectrophotometer sample cells
- Chromatography column fittings
🏎️ High-Performance Automotive
- Turbocharger oil seals
- Direct injection fuel rails
- Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
- Racing fuel system components
- High-temperature sensor housings
⚡ Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Plasma etch chamber seals
- Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
- Wet bench processing equipment
- Clean room isolation barriers
- Ultra-high purity gas delivery
Viton FKM Grade Selection Guide
| Grade | Fluorine Content | Max Temperature | Chemical Resistance | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viton A | 66% F | 200°C (392°F) | Good to most chemicals | General purpose, automotive seals |
| Viton B | 68% F | 200°C (392°F) | Better chemical resistance | Fuel systems, hydraulic seals |
| Viton F | 70% F | 200°C (392°F) | Excellent chemical resistance | Aggressive chemicals, jet fuel |
| Viton GLT | 67% F | 200°C (392°F) | Low temperature flexibility | Wide temperature range apps |
| Viton GFLT | 70% F | 200°C (392°F) | Best chemical + low temp | Aerospace, harsh environments |
Selection Tip: Higher fluorine content provides better chemical resistance but may reduce low-temperature flexibility. Choose the grade that best balances your application requirements.
🚗 Fuel System Applications & Compatibility Matrix
🌱 E85 Ethanol Fuel Compatibility
Viton FKM provides excellent resistance to E85 ethanol blends, making it ideal for modern flex-fuel vehicles:
| Fuel Type | Ethanol Content | Viton FKM Performance | Service Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| E85 Flex Fuel | 51-83% Ethanol | Excellent | 5+ years continuous |
| E15 (Gasohol) | 10.5-15% Ethanol | Excellent | 10+ years continuous |
| Pure Ethanol | 100% Ethanol | Excellent | 3+ years at 80°C |
Key Benefits: No swelling, cracking, or degradation in ethanol fuel systems. Maintains seal integrity from -20°C to 150°C operating range.
✈️ Aviation Fuel System Excellence
Viton FKM is the aerospace industry standard for all aviation fuel applications:
- Jet A/Jet A-1: Commercial aviation standard fuel compatibility at temperatures up to 200°C
- JP-4 (Jet B): Military wide-cut gasoline, excellent resistance to aromatic hydrocarbons
- JP-5: Navy carrier-based aviation fuel, high flash point applications
- JP-8: Military kerosene fuel with additives, long-term exposure resistance
- 100LL Aviation Gas: General aviation fuel, compatible with lead additives
Real-World Aviation Performance
- 🛩️ Boeing 787: 200+ Viton seals, 25,000+ flight hours service life
- 🚁 Military Helicopters: 99.8% mission success rate with Viton fuel seals
- 🛫 Commercial Airlines: 5+ year replacement intervals in fuel systems
🌿 Biodiesel Fuel Compatibility
Viton FKM excels with renewable biodiesel fuels:
- B20 Biodiesel: 20% biodiesel blend - Excellent long-term performance
- B100 Pure Biodiesel: 100% biodiesel - Good performance with regular inspection
- Renewable Diesel: HVO/GTL fuels - Excellent compatibility
- FAME Biodiesel: Fatty Acid Methyl Esters - Good resistance to oxidation
Performance Note: B100 applications may require Viton B or F grades for optimal chemical resistance.
🏎️ Racing & Performance Fuels
Viton FKM handles specialty high-performance fuels:
- Methanol Racing Fuel: M85/M100 - Good performance with grade F
- Aviation Gas (100LL): High-octane automotive use - Excellent
- Race Gas Blends: High-octane specialty fuels - Excellent
- Nitromethane Blends: Drag racing applications - Good to excellent
🔬 Fuel Additive Compatibility
Excellent resistance to common fuel additives:
- MTBE/ETBE: Oxygenate additives - Excellent resistance
- Antioxidants: BHT, 2,6-DTBP - No interaction
- Anti-icing: Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether - Compatible
- Biocides: Fuel system preservation - Compatible
- Metal Deactivators: N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-propanediamine - Excellent
🎯 Fuel System Viton Grade Recommendation Matrix
| Application | Recommended Grade | Temperature Range | Service Life Expectation | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive E85 Systems | Viton A or B | -40°C to 150°C | 5-8 years | Cost-effective ethanol resistance |
| Commercial Aviation | Viton F or GFLT | -55°C to 200°C | 10+ years | Superior jet fuel resistance |
| Military Aviation | Viton F | -40°C to 200°C | 15+ years | JP-8 additive resistance |
| Biodiesel B100 | Viton B or F | -20°C to 120°C | 3-5 years | FAME chemical resistance |
| Racing Applications | Viton F | -20°C to 180°C | 2-3 racing seasons | Specialty fuel compatibility |
Engineering Design Guidelines
📐 Groove Design Specifications
| O-Ring Cross-Section | Groove Width | Groove Depth (Static) | Groove Depth (Dynamic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.070" (1.78mm) | 0.086-0.089" | 0.055-0.058" | 0.050-0.053" |
| 0.103" (2.62mm) | 0.125-0.128" | 0.081-0.084" | 0.074-0.077" |
| 0.139" (3.53mm) | 0.169-0.172" | 0.109-0.112" | 0.100-0.103" |
🔧 Installation Torque Specifications
| Application Type | Compression % | Stretch % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static Face Seal | 15-25% | 1-3% | Standard compression |
| Dynamic Rod Seal | 8-15% | 3-5% | Reduced friction |
| High Pressure (>1000 psi) | 20-30% | 2-4% | May require backup ring |
| High Temperature (>150°C) | 25-35% | 1-2% | Account for thermal expansion |
Quality Control & Testing Standards
🔬 Material Testing Protocols
All Viton FKM O-rings undergo comprehensive testing to ensure consistent performance:
- ASTM D2240: Durometer hardness measurement using Shore A scale
- ASTM D412: Tensile strength and elongation testing at room temperature
- ASTM D1414: Compression set testing at elevated temperatures
- ASTM D471: Chemical immersion testing for swelling and degradation
- ASTM D1056: Low-temperature brittleness point determination
- ASTM D3182: Volume resistivity for electrical applications
📋 Quality Assurance Standards
Manufacturing quality controls ensure every O-ring meets specification:
- Dimensional Inspection: ±0.003" tolerance on critical dimensions
- Surface Finish: 63 μin Ra maximum surface roughness
- Visual Inspection: 100% inspection for flash, contamination, and defects
- Batch Testing: Representative samples tested from each production lot
- Traceability: Full material and processing traceability records
- Certification: Material test certificates available upon request
| Property | Test Method | 70 Shore A | 80 Shore A | 90 Shore A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (psi) | ASTM D412 | 1800-2200 | 2200-2800 | 2800-3500 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D412 | 200-300 | 150-250 | 100-200 |
| Compression Set (%) at 200°C, 70 hrs | ASTM D395 Method B | 15-25 | 12-20 | 10-18 |
| Brittle Point (°C) | ASTM D2137 | -25 to -30 | -20 to -25 | -15 to -20 |
Available AS568 Sizes in Viton FKM
| AS568 Size | ID (inches) | CS (inches) | OD (inches) | 70A Price Range | 80A Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS568-214 | 0.739 | 0.070 | 0.879 | $8-15 | $12-22 |
| AS568-110 | 0.489 | 0.070 | 0.629 | $5-8 | $8-12 |
| AS568-325 | 1.475 | 0.070 | 1.615 | $15-25 | $22-35 |
| AS568-030 | 1.112 | 0.139 | 1.390 | $18-28 | $25-40 |
| AS568-012 | 0.301 | 0.070 | 0.441 | $4-6 | $6-9 |
* Prices shown are per piece for quantities 1-99. Volume discounts available for larger quantities.
Installation & Handling Tips
🔧 Installation Best Practices
- Clean groove thoroughly before installation
- Lubricate with compatible lubricant
- Avoid sharp edges during installation
- Check for proper compression (typically 15-25%)
- Verify groove dimensions match AS568 standards
📦 Storage & Handling
- Store in cool, dark, dry environment
- Avoid exposure to UV light and ozone
- Keep away from sharp objects
- Rotate stock using FIFO method
- Shelf life: 15 years when properly stored
- Use individual packaging to prevent contamination
Common Issues & Solutions
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature hardening | Excessive temperature or ozone | Replace with higher temp material | Check operating temperature limits |
| Swelling | Chemical incompatibility | Switch to chemically resistant material | Review chemical compatibility chart |
| Extrusion damage | Excessive pressure or clearance | Use harder durometer or backup ring | Design proper groove clearances |
| Surface cracking | Ozone, UV, or flexing | Use ozone-resistant material | Protect from environmental exposure |
Complete Your Viton FKM Solution
📏
1. Select Size
Find the right AS568 dash number or use our groove calculator for custom dimensions.
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2. Verify Compatibility
Confirm chemical compatibility and temperature requirements for your application.
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3. Get Quote
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