Tecnoflon® FKM

Tecnoflon® FKM fluoroelastomers consist of copolymers and terpolymers with a fluorine content of 66% and 68-70% respectively. They are available as base polymers (gumstock) in case of bisphenol and peroxide curable or products formulated in case of bisphenol curable systems.

Tecnoflon® Fluoroelastomers are known for their broadest chemical and heat resistance. Despite FKM’s higher cost compared to other elastomers, they are often the first choice in demanding seal environments and they approach the ideal for a universal sealing material. Fluoroelastomers are indispensable to the automotive , aerospace, the chemical process industries, as well as other markets and environments.

Bisphenolic-Ionic Curable FKM

Ionic curable FKM materials have a good balance of mechanical properties and sealing performance along with ease of processing. They are available as base polymers (gumstock) or grades with incorporated cure systems (denoted by the FOR prefix in the grade name). A variety of possible combinations of viscosity, cure rate, and cross-link density make them suitable for any molding process. Rubber-to-metal bonding grades are available for all molding techniques.

Tecnoflon® ionic curable FKM portfolio is now produced without the use of fluorosurfactants (NFS).

Ionic curable Tecnoflon® FKM products are categorized according to their monomer composition:

Copolymers are versatile polymers based on VDF and HFP monomers and have a fluorine content of 66%.
HS (LX) copolymers are designed for low post-cure cycles, high temperature applications.
Terpolymers offer better chemical resistance than copolymers due to their higher fluorine content (68-70%).
Low-temperature terpolymers provide chemical resistance similar to ionic curable copolymers. Polymers have a fluorine content of 65.5% and they exhibit a lower glass transition temperature (Tg).

Tecnoflon® Ionic Curable FKM Overview

Peroxide Curable FKM

Peroxide curable FKM grades have the same fluorine content as ionic curable FKM products, yet offer better chemical resistance due to the curing process, making them suited for more severe end-use environments. These materials provide good flexibility at low temperatures, low post cure, optimum compression set, and good bonding to metal. Peroxide curable Tecnoflon® FKM products offer superior mold flow, excellent mold release and ease of processing via compression, extrusion, transfer or injection molding.

Tecnoflon® peroxide curable FKM grades are undergoing a transition to Non-Fluorosurfactant (NFS) technology. Samples are available for all grades and we are working towards the goal of producing 100% of our FKM grades without the use of fluorosurfactants by 2026.

Tecnoflon® peroxide-curable FKM products are available in medium and low viscosity grades and include the following:

Standard peroxide curable FKM (P Series) General purpose grades with excellent chemical resistance to different media.
Low-Temperature FKMs (PL Series) Same benefits as the P Series polymers along with extended low-temperature service for automotive, aerospace and oil & gas applications.
Extreme Low-Temperature FKM (VPL Series) Provide outstanding low-temperature sealing properties along with excellent resistance to harsh fluids and chemicals. Broad product selection includes grades with TR10 values ranging from -30°C (-22°F) down to -45°C (-49°F). Typical applications include high-performance fuel injector O-rings and sealing components for oil field and aerospace applications.