Overview
Viton® is the trade name for a family of FKM (Fluoroelastomer) materials originally developed by DuPont and now produced by multiple manufacturers. Viton is renowned for its exceptional chemical resistance, fuel resistance, oil resistance, high-temperature stability, and long-term sealing performance.
Among industrial elastomers, Viton is considered one of the highest-performance sealing materials available, making it the preferred choice for demanding environments involving aggressive chemicals, hydrocarbons, fuels, and elevated temperatures.
Viton is widely used in:
- Aerospace Systems
- Automotive Fuel Systems
- Oil & Gas Equipment
- Chemical Processing Plants
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Industrial Machinery
- Power Generation Systems
- High-Performance Sealing Applications
Due to its outstanding resistance to chemicals and heat, Viton is often selected when standard elastomers such as NBR, EPDM, or Neoprene cannot meet performance requirements.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | FKM |
| Trade Name | Viton® |
| Full Name | Fluoroelastomer |
| Material Family | High-Performance Synthetic Elastomer |
| Density | 1.75–2.00 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Black, Brown, Green, Custom Colors |
| Hardness Range | Shore A 50–95 |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Compression Molding, Injection Molding, Transfer Molding |
| Standard Forms | O-Rings, Sheets, Gaskets, Molded Parts |
Chemical Composition
Viton consists of fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Fluorocarbon Polymer | Elastic Matrix |
| Carbon Black / Fillers | Reinforcement |
| Fluorinated Monomers | Chemical Resistance |
| Curing Agents | Crosslinking |
| Specialty Additives | Performance Enhancement |
The high fluorine content provides exceptional chemical and thermal stability.
Common Viton Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Viton A | General Purpose FKM |
| Viton B | Enhanced Chemical Resistance |
| Viton F | High Fuel Resistance |
| Viton GF | Superior Chemical & Base Resistance |
| Viton GFLT | Improved Low-Temperature Flexibility |
| Viton Extreme™ | Extreme Chemical Resistance |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 10–20 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 150–350% |
| Tear Strength | 15–40 kN/m |
| Compression Set | Excellent |
| Hardness | Shore A 50–95 |
| Resilience | Moderate |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Excellent |
| Abrasion Resistance | Good |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good |
| Seal Durability | Outstanding |
Viton maintains sealing performance under demanding operating conditions.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.75–2.00 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | Very Low |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.20–0.30 W/m·K |
| Gas Permeability | Very Low |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent |
Low permeability makes Viton ideal for critical sealing applications.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Continuous Service Temperature | -20°C to 200°C |
| Premium Grades | Up to 230°C |
| Short-Term Temperature Resistance | Up to 250–300°C |
| Low Temperature Limit | -40°C (Special Grades) |
Viton offers some of the highest temperature capabilities among elastomers.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Viton | 1.85 | 15 MPa |
| NBR | 1.20 | 18 MPa |
| EPDM | 1.10 | 12 MPa |
| Silicone | 1.20 | 8 MPa |
Although heavier than many elastomers, Viton provides unmatched chemical durability.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Oils | Outstanding |
| Gasoline | Outstanding |
| Diesel Fuel | Outstanding |
| Hydraulic Fluids | Outstanding |
| Lubricants | Outstanding |
| Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Excellent |
| Chlorinated Solvents | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Excellent |
| Strong Acids | Good to Excellent |
Viton is one of the most chemically resistant elastomers commercially available.
Fuel & Oil Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil Resistance | Outstanding |
| Hydraulic Oil Resistance | Outstanding |
| Fuel Resistance | Outstanding |
| Biodiesel Compatibility | Excellent |
| Synthetic Lubricant Resistance | Excellent |
Viton is widely used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial fuel systems.
Weather & Environmental Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| UV Resistance | Excellent |
| Ozone Resistance | Outstanding |
| Outdoor Durability | Excellent |
| Aging Resistance | Outstanding |
Viton offers excellent environmental stability over long service periods.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹² Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Strength | 10–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 6–8 |
| Arc Resistance | Good |
While not typically selected for electrical insulation, Viton performs adequately in electrical environments.
Compression Set Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Seal Retention | Outstanding |
| Compression Recovery | Excellent |
| Long-Term Gasket Performance | Outstanding |
| O-Ring Performance | Outstanding |
Viton is widely used for mission-critical sealing systems.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Compression Molding | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Transfer Molding | Excellent |
| Precision Molding | Outstanding |
| O-Ring Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Viton is commonly used for precision molded sealing components.
International Equivalent Standards
| Standard | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| ASTM D1418 | FKM |
| ISO | FKM |
| DIN | FKM |
| JIS | Fluoroelastomer |
| GB/T (China) | 氟橡胶 |
| ASTM D2000 | HK |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| O-Rings | Yes |
| Gaskets | Yes |
| Sheets | Yes |
| Molded Parts | Yes |
| Seals | Yes |
| Custom Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Aerospace Industry
- Fuel System Seals
- Hydraulic Seals
- Engine O-Rings
- High-Temperature Gaskets
Automotive Industry
- Fuel Injectors
- Turbocharger Systems
- Fuel Rail Seals
- Transmission Seals
Oil & Gas Industry
- Valve Seals
- Pump Components
- Drilling Equipment Seals
- Process Equipment Gaskets
Chemical Processing Industry
- Reactor Seals
- Chemical Transfer Systems
- Pump O-Rings
- Process Line Gaskets
Semiconductor Industry
- Chemical Handling Equipment
- Process Chamber Seals
- High-Purity Fluid Systems
Power Generation
- Turbine Seals
- Hydraulic Systems
- Heat Transfer Equipment
Advantages
Outstanding Chemical Resistance
Exceptional compatibility with fuels, oils, and aggressive chemicals.
Excellent High-Temperature Performance
Continuous operation up to 200°C and beyond.
Superior Fuel Resistance
Ideal for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and aviation fuels.
Outstanding Compression Set Resistance
Maintains sealing force over long service periods.
Low Permeability
Excellent containment of gases and fluids.
Long Service Life
Outstanding resistance to aging and degradation.
Limitations
Higher Material Cost
More expensive than NBR, EPDM, and Neoprene.
Limited Low-Temperature Flexibility
Standard grades become less flexible below -20°C.
Moderate Steam Resistance
Not ideal for prolonged steam exposure compared with EPDM.
Higher Density
Heavier than many other elastomers.
Comparison with Common Elastomers
| Property | Viton | NBR | EPDM | Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Poor | Moderate |
| Fuel Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Chemical Resistance | Outstanding | Good | Good | Moderate |
| Heat Resistance | Outstanding | Good | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Cost | Very High | Low | Low | High |
Comparison with NBR
| Property | Viton | NBR |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Resistance | Better | |
| Fuel Resistance | Better | |
| Temperature Resistance | Better | |
| Compression Set | Better | |
| Cost | Higher |
Viton is often selected when operating conditions exceed the limits of NBR.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Molded Finish
- Matte Finish
- Smooth Finish
Functional Finishes
- Chemical Resistant Finish
- Fuel Resistant Finish
- High Temperature Finish
Specialty Grades
- Viton A
- Viton B
- Viton F
- Viton GF
- Viton GFLT
- Viton Extreme™
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Viton?
Viton is a premium fluoroelastomer (FKM) known for exceptional chemical resistance, fuel resistance, and high-temperature performance.
What is Viton used for?
Typical applications include:
- O-Rings
- Fuel System Seals
- Chemical Processing Equipment
- Aerospace Components
- Industrial Gaskets
Is Viton resistant to gasoline?
Yes. Viton provides outstanding resistance to gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and aviation fuels.
What temperature can Viton withstand?
Most grades operate continuously at 200°C, with specialty grades capable of higher temperatures.
Is Viton better than NBR?
For high-temperature and aggressive chemical environments, Viton significantly outperforms NBR.
Why choose Viton?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Chemical Resistance
- Excellent Fuel Resistance
- High Temperature Stability
- Superior Sealing Performance
- Long Service Life
What is the difference between Viton and EPDM?
Viton excels in oil, fuel, and chemical resistance, while EPDM is superior for water, steam, and outdoor weather exposure.
Does GCNOV provide Viton manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Viton Compression Molding
- Viton Injection Molding
- O-Ring Manufacturing
- High-Temperature Sealing Solutions
- Chemical Resistant Components
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production