fluoroelastomerViton

Viton is a brand name for a family of fluoroelastomer polymers (FKM) developed for high-temperature and chemical-resistant sealing applications. Most Viton grades are fluorinated elastomers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP), sometimes incorporating tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) or perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (PMVE) to form terpolymers. They are crosslinked by organic peroxides or other cure systems to create elastic networks that retain shape under stress.

Key properties include high thermal stability, excellent resistance to fuels, oils, acids, and many solvents, low permeability to gases, and good compression set resistance. They perform well at elevated temperatures but can have limited low-temperature flexibility and may be attacked by strong oxidizers or concentrated bases in some conditions. They also tend to be more expensive and harder to process than some other elastomers.

Common applications are seals, O-rings, gaskets, and other fluid-contact components in automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, and industrial equipment. The Viton line comprises multiple grades tailored for different exposures and temperature ranges, including standard grades and specialty variants optimized for extreme heat, aggressive chemicals, or low-temperature performance.

Processing typically involves molding and curing with peroxide-based systems, sometimes in combination with fillers to adjust properties. Selection depends on the chemical compatibility with the fluids, operating temperature, and required mechanical performance. While Viton offers superior chemical resistance, it may show limited compatibility with certain strong oxidizers and some solvents, emphasizing the need for compatibility testing.