FPM / FKM:
What’s the Story?
A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO FLUOROELASTOMERS BY J-FLEX - THE EXPERTS
FPM / FKM : What’s the story?
So what’s the difference
between FPM / FKM?
FPM is the international designation
according to ISO – whereas – FKM is
the ASTM designation. Both of these
designations stand for the same thing –
Fluoroelastomers.
ASTM D2000 designation for
Fluoroelastomers is HK, meaning one
of the highest heat resistance & lowest
swell materials available.
Standard Sheet
Coloured Sheet.
The Definition
FKM / FPM or Fluoroelastomers
are used in a wide variety of high
performance applications. Long term
reliability, with minimum change
to the environment are the main
factors that make Fluoroelastomers
a vital polymer. These elastomers
are specifically designed to be highly
resistant to elevated temperatures
(204°C continuous and 300°C
intermittent) and aggressive chemical
changes. Fluoroelastomers have
great compression, sunlight and
ozone resistance as well as a low gas
absorption rate.
Life Expectancy
Who Makes Fluoroelastomers?
Fluoroelastomers withstand high
temperatures and simultaneously retains
its good mechanical properties better
than most other elastomers. Oil and
chemical resistance are also relatively
unaffected by elevated temperatures.
Fluoroelastomers are made by some of the world’s largest chemical corporations.
For example:
Reputable Fluoroelastomer compounds
remain usefully elastic indefinitely when
exposed to hot air ageing up to 204°C,
or to intermittent test exposures up to
260°C. High temperature service limits
are generally considered to be:
Hours
At
3,000
232°C
1,000
260°C
240
288°C
48
316°C
ChemoursViton™
Zhonghao Chenguang
Dyneon
3F
Dyneon® (Fluorel)
Solvay SolexisTecnoflon®
Alltop
DaikinDai-El®
LanxessLevatherm®
Asahi GlassAflas®
J-Flex is a member of the official Chemours Viton™ Licensee Program, but we do
also offer other grades and have one of the widest ranges of Fluoroelastomers
available worldwide.
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Did you know?
The original fluroelastomer
was developed by DuPont
in 1957 in response to high
performance sealing needs
in the Aerospace industry.
FPM is the international
designation according to ISO.
FKM is the ASTM designation.
They both mean the same
thing... Fluroelastomer!
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There are three main factors that allow Fluoroelastomers to gain their unique quality.
What Makes Fluoroelastomers Work?
1. Extremely strong bonds between
atoms – the carbon atoms which
make up the backbone of this
polymer are extremely resistant
to change. This means that these
polymers are unlikely to undergo
any division of their macromolecular
chains into smaller sections, which
would then be more susceptible
to deterioration.
2. High fluorine-to-fluorine ratio
– fluorine is the dominant atom,
making it more stable and less likely
to be affected by its environment.
The higher the level of fluorine,
the more stable the polymer.
All reputable A Type (or Type 1# / 2#)
FPM / FKM materials should contain a
minimum of 66% fluorine.
Adhesive and Caulk Sealant
3. Single carbon backbone – the
backbone contains only single bonds
between the carbon atoms. Double
bonds are increasingly more likely
to be affected by chemical attacks;
single bonds are less likely to be
harmed by oxygen, ozone,
UV lights, etc...
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PRODUCTS
Sheet Products
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Viton™ ‘B’
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FPM / FKM Fluor-A-Com®
FKM / Nomex Reinforced
Viton™ Sponge Sheets
Temperat
ure
High
Ex
pa
Viton™ ‘A‘
Blue FDA Compliant FPM/FKM
Off White (Beige) FDA Compliant
FPM / FKM
Aflas®
FKM Laminated Silicone
FKM Laminated Silicone Sponge
Speciality Viton™ Grades - F; GF;
GLT; GBL; 0.25mm thick (thin!)
Adhesive Backing
Cut Gaskets, Joints & Seals
Extruded Cords & Extrusions
‘O’ Ring Cords – Blue & Off White
FDA Compliant - all sizes
‘O’ Rings Cords – USP Class VI certain sizes available
Standard FPM / FKM ‘O’ Ring Cords all sizes
Vulcanised Joined O-Rings
Extruded Tubings – from 1mm i/d x
3mm o/d to 40mm i/d x 50mm o/d
Extruded Square & Rectangular Strip
Sections in Standard FPM / FKM all sizes
Extruded Viton™ Sponge Cords &
Strip Sections – over 50 standard sizes
Extruded custom made Viton™
Profiles (Vapour Seals)
Moulded vapour seal for floating roof tanks
Expansion Joints
Flue Duct Joints (FSA Spec.)
Fabricated Bellows & Compensators
Moulded Bellows & Seals
Adhesive & Sealants
Did you know?
J-Flex is a member of the
official Chemours Viton™
Licensee Program. We also offer
other grades and have one of the
widest ranges of Fluroelastomers
available worldwide.
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1 Part Viton™ Caulk Sealant
2 Part Viton™ Adhesive
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Why J-Flex?
With global annual growth of 4% for the period 2016 – 2021 for Fluoroelastomer consumption, it makes
sense to talk to J-Flex. We really understand these materials and we think it shows. However, let us just
reinforce the main reasons to buy FPM / FKM Products from J-Flex.
Possibly the largest stock of Sheet
Products in Europe – which means you’ll
always find the products you need and
be able to get them fast.
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Our unique 10 point quality assurance
system ensures each roll of FPM / FKM
has gone through many different
inspections to guarantee perfection.
Rheometer Cure Trace + Hardness +
Tensile Strength + Elongation @ Break +
Compression Set tests are carried out to
ensure the compound meets
the specification.
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Final sheet tests include thickness;
hardness; width & length.
J-Flex materials are regularly &
exhaustively tested by one of Germany’s
leading seal & gasket test houses.
Independent tests carried out by Labo
Richter confirm the integrity required of
a leading European sheet material.
J-Flex sheet materials are safe to work
with. Tests confirming compliance to the
latest Reach – Candidate List of S.V.H.C.
Did you know?
Fluoroelastomer has
been adopted as the material
of choice for the band of
the Apple Watch Sport.
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Full compliance to latest PAH/PAK –
Carbon Black trace levels in accordance
with AfPS GS 2014:01 PAK.
Wide thickness range available
EX-STOCK on some grades - 0.5mm to
25mm inclusive.
Width options - 1,000mm; 1,200mm;
1,400mm & 2,000mm available
EX-STOCK on some grades.
Viton™ Sponge
Disclaimer: Because conditions of product use and disposal are outside our control, we make no warranties, express or implied, and
assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. As with any material, evaluation of any compound under end-user
conditions prior to specification is essential.
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General Information
Our products are crafted from natural and synthetic polymers including
Silicone
Aflas®
Neoprene
PVC Nitrile
Nitrile Natural
Butyl
CSM
EPDM
Natural Rubber Viton™
Ethylene Acrylic
Eco-Rubber
HNBR
Polymers and composites:
FR/UL - BS/LSLT - FDA - ASTM - ISO/EN
If you’re looking to seal, insulate, silence, protect, bond or
repair then the above materials and components are ideally suited for industrial
use. Many can be supplied on a ‘next-day’ delivery basis. We can offer you that
most valuable component of any business; experience that can be trusted.
We’ll round off where we started: Total Capability; personal service, product
knowledge, high performance materials, diversity of choice, cost effectiveness
and a desire to retain loyal customers through exceeding your expectations.
Sounds like perfection: Sounds like J-Flex
J-FLEX
Engineering Rubber Components & Specialised Sheeting Products
Units 1 & 2, London Road Business Park, Retford, Notts, England DN22 6HG
tel: +44 (0) 1777 712400
fax: +44 (0) 1777 712409
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.j-flex.co.uk
Viton™ is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company
J-Flex is a member of the official Chemours Viton™ licensee programme
Aflas® is the registered trademark of Asahi Glass Company Limited
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