Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) FKM
Fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM, FPM): a fluorine-rich rubber. The sources here give no monomer composition.
FKM, sold under the name Viton, is a fluorocarbon rubber used for O-rings and seals.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Temperature
-15 to 200 degC
Hardness and strength
79 Shore A
Compression set
22%
Cold limit
-17 degC
Steam and radiation
66.7% set
Recipe, share of the weight
Best for
Seals that must resist fuels, oils, aromatics and heat up to about 200 degC
Weakest at
Low-temperature flexibility (static limit about -26 degC in Parker's handbook, dynamic limit about -15 to -18 degC) and no outgassing data found in this run
Risk at a glance
- People No data. No hazard data recorded
- If it fails Severe. Compression set after gamma dose
- Corrosion Severe. Fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam.
Quick facts: FKM
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.85 to 1.9 g/cm³ | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 14 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 50 ppm/K | 1 sourced value |
| Maximum service temperature | 200 to 204 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
What is the density of Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton)?
Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) has a density of 1.85 to 1.9 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton)?
Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 50 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the tensile strength of Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton)?
Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) has a tensile strength of 14 MPa. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton)?
Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) has a maximum service temperature of 200 to 204 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include O-rings and seals in aircraft, automotive and chemical equipment; O-ring seals in jet-fuel service (dynamic); Seals in vacuum equipment, where low weight loss matters.
Why it exists
FKM (Viton) is a fluorocarbon rubber made into O-rings and seals. Parker's handbook describes it as resistant to high temperature, ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, aromatics and many solvents, with very low gas permeability. Its weak point is cold: static seals are limited to about -26 degC.
Where it's used
O-rings and seals in aircraft, automotive and chemical equipment
Polymax says FKM has found wide acceptance in the aircraft, automotive and chemical industries. No space mission was named in the source.
Fuel and jet-fuel systems
Parker says its V1164-75 fluorocarbon may be used in dynamic jet-fuel service because it swells less than 2%, but its low-temperature capability does not normally extend below -29 degC.
Vacuum equipment
Parker's vacuum test gives 0.09% weight loss for V0747-75 after 336 h at about 1 x 10-6 torr. These are ground results; no spacecraft flight use was found.
Recipe
Fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM, FPM): a fluorine-rich rubber. The sources here give no monomer composition.
FKM is a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber, listed under ASTM D1418 and, as FPM, under ISO/DIN 1629 (Wikipedia). Parker says cross-linking during vulcanization turns the rubber into an elastic material, and that a post-cure may follow. Polymax can supply Viton grades A, B, G, GF, GLT and others on special request. The monomers and the fluorine share of each grade were not stated in any page read in this run.
| Ingredient | Atoms per unit | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|
Weight shares are calculated from standard atomic weights.
What it can do
Temperature
-15 to 200 degC
The 75 Shore A datasheet gives an operating temperature range of -15 to 200 degC. Parker gives up to 204 degC for general FKM, with shorter life at the top end.
Hardness and strength
79 Shore A
The 75 Shore A grade has a hardness of 79 Shore A, a tensile strength of 14 MPa and an elongation of 175%. The 90 Shore A grade is harder at 91 Shore A with 110% elongation.
Compression set
22%
After 22 hours at 200 degC (ASTM D 395 B), the 75 Shore A grade keeps 22% set and the 90 Shore A grade 16%.
Cold limit
-17 degC
Low-temperature resistance is -17 degC (ASTM D 1329 TR10) for the 75 Shore A grade. Parker gives -26 degC as the static limit for general FKM.
Steam and radiation
66.7% set
Parker says fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam. After 10^7 rads of gamma dose, its V0747-75 compound took a 66.7% compression set.
How it compares
FKM is a general-purpose fluoroelastomer for heat and fuel service. The sources read here give its heat and fuel resistance qualitatively and a few numbers for two grades. No comparison with other seal elastomers was made in this run.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.
| Measurement | FKM |
|---|---|
| Physical and electrical | |
| Hardness (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 79 Shore A |
| Hardness (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 91 Shore A |
| Specific gravity (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 1.85 g/cm³ |
| Specific gravity (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 1.87 to 1.9 g/cm³ |
| Other measurements | |
| Operating temperature range (75 Shore A grade) | 200 °C1 |
| Low-temperature resistance (ASTM D 1329 TR10, 75 Shore A grade)Supplier datasheet, typical value | -17 °C |
| Static seal low-temperature limit (general FKM)Statement in Parker O-ring handbook | -26 °C |
| Heat resistance (general FKM)Statement in Parker O-ring handbook | 204 °C |
| Tensile strength (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 14 MPa |
| Tensile strength (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 14 MPa |
| Elongation at break (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 175 % |
| Elongation at break (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 110 % |
| Compression set (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 22 %2 |
| Compression set (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet | 16 %3 |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (expansion, 24 to 191 degC) | 9×10^-5 in/in/degF4 |
| Weight loss in vacuum (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | 0.09 %5 |
| Weight loss in vacuum (V0884-75 fluorocarbon compound) | 0.07 %6 |
| Compression set after air ageing (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | 66 %7 |
| Compression set after gamma radiation (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | 66.7 %8 |
| Temperature for 90% set after 1000 h (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | 204 °C9 |
| Low-temperature compound V1289-75, advised down to -45 degC | -45 °C10 |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Heat and fuel resistance: operating range of -15 to 200 degC, and resistance to fuels and oils per the Parker handbook.
- Low gas permeability, similar to butyl rubber (Parker handbook).
- Vacuum: Parker weight loss is 0.09% for V0747-75 after 336 h at about 1 x 10-6 torr, lower than the nitrile and polyurethane compounds in the same table.
Watch out for
- Cold: static limit about -26 degC and dynamic limit about -15 to -18 degC.
- Compression set rises with heat over time (22% for the 75 Shore A grade after 22 h at 200 degC).
- No outgassing (ASTM E595) value was found, so it cannot be cleared for vacuum use from this profile.
- Steam and hot water: Parker says fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in them, and rates V0747-75 Poor for steam and water.
- Radiation: at 10^7 rads the V0747-75 compound took a 66.7% set. Parker advises a lower dose where the set is over 40%.
FKM is a dependable seal elastomer for hot fuel and oil service. Parker's data add vacuum weight loss, radiation and steam limits. ASTM E595 outgassing, monomer composition and flight data are still missing from this profile.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Operating temperature range (75 Shore A grade) | Datasheet operating range, stated by the supplier | grade FKM (Viton) 75 ShA, blacklower limit -15 °C | — |
| 2 | Compression set (75 Shore A grade) | — | test ASTM D 395 Btime 22 htemperature 200 °C | — |
| 3 | Compression set (90 Shore A grade) | — | test ASTM D 395 Btime 22 htemperature 200 °C | — |
| 4 | Coefficient of thermal expansion (expansion, 24 to 191 degC) | Table of linear expansion data in Parker handbook (printed in US units) | basis fluorocarbon elastomer row, expansion from 75 to 375 degF | — |
| 5 | Weight loss in vacuum (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML method | vacuum about 1 x 10-6 torrtime 336 htemperature 25 °C | — |
| 6 | Weight loss in vacuum (V0884-75 fluorocarbon compound) | Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML method | vacuum about 1 x 10-6 torrtime 336 htemperature 25 °C | — |
| 7 | Compression set after air ageing (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | Parker air age test result, as stated in the handbook text | test air agetime 1000 htemperature 204 °C | — |
| 8 | Compression set after gamma radiation (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | Parker radiation table, compression set after gamma exposure, footnote 1; the exponent is read as 10^7 from the PDF text | dose 1 x 10^7 rad gammatemperature room temperaturecompound V0747-75 | — |
| 9 | Temperature for 90% set after 1000 h (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound) | Parker radiation table, footnote 2, printed as 204 C (400 F) | compound V0747-75basis temperature at which a 0.139 in cross section ring takes 90% compression set after 1000 h, not exposed to radiation or fluids | — |
| 10 | Low-temperature compound V1289-75, advised down to -45 degC | Parker application guidance, stated limit for the compound | compound V1289-75basis Parker advises considering this compound for temperatures down to -45 °C (-50 degF) | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Hot air, 250 degC, 70 h | low | Hot air ageing changes hardness and strength only slightly.1 |
| ASTM 101 service liquid, 200 degC, 70 h | moderate | Hot service liquid softens the 75 Shore A grade slightly and swells it by 13%.2 |
| ASTM Fuel C, 23 degC, 70 h | low | Fuel C at room temperature has a small effect.3 |
| Fuels, oils and chemicals in general | none | Parker lists broad resistance to fuels, oils and many chemicals.4 |
| Hot water or steam | severe | Fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam.5 |
| Hot air, 204 degC, 1000 h | moderate | The high-temperature compound keeps sealing for many hours at 204 degC, but its life is short at 232 degC.6 |
| Gamma radiation, 1 x 10^7 rad | severe | Gamma dose raises the compression set of the fluorocarbon compound.7 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hot air, 250 degC, 70 h | After 70 h at 250 degC in air (ASTM D 573), the 75 Shore A grade gained 1 point of hardness, lost 13% tensile strength and 2% ultimate elongation. | time 70 htemperature 250 °Cstandard ASTM D 573 |
| 2 | ASTM 101 service liquid, 200 degC, 70 h | After 70 h at 200 degC in ASTM 101 service liquid (ASTM D 471), hardness changed by -10 points, tensile strength by -15%, ultimate elongation by -6% and volume by +13%. | time 70 htemperature 200 °Cstandard ASTM D 471 |
| 3 | ASTM Fuel C, 23 degC, 70 h | After 70 h at 23 degC in ASTM Fuel C (ASTM D 471), hardness changed by -4 points, tensile strength by -21%, ultimate elongation by -7% and volume by +4%. | time 70 htemperature 23 °Cstandard ASTM D 471 |
| 4 | Fuels, oils and chemicals in general | Parker's handbook says FKM has excellent resistance to ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, synthetic hydraulic fluids, fuels, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals, and that special compounds improve resistance to acids and fuels. | basis qualitative statement, no test conditions given |
| 5 | Hot water or steam | Parker says fluorocarbons tend to harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam, where ethylene propylene is generally superior. Parker's radiation table rates its V0747-75 compound Poor for steam and water resistance. | basis qualitative statement and table rating |
| 6 | Hot air, 204 degC, 1000 h | After 1000 h in air at 204 degC, Parker's V0747-75 took a 66% set and kept enough recovery to continue sealing for many additional hours. At 232 degC the anticipated useful life falls to about 336 hours. | time 1000 htemperature 204 °Ccompound V0747-75 |
| 7 | Gamma radiation, 1 x 10^7 rad | After 10^7 rads of gamma radiation at room temperature, Parker's V0747-75 took a 66.7% compression set. Parker's footnote says that above 40% set the compound should be used only at a lower dose level. | dose 1 x 10^7 radtemperature room temperature |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
No hazard classification was retrieved for FKM in this run.
- Safety data
- Read the safety data sheet for the specific compound before handling. None was retrieved here.
For the monomers
PubChem classifies the monomer gases, not the FKM compound. No classification for FKM itself was found. Flammable or pressurised gases, with suspected cancer hazards
- Vinylidene fluoride
- PubChem lists it as an extremely flammable gas under pressure that may explode if heated. A suspected cancer hazard (H350) is reported by 11% of notifications.
- Hexafluoropropylene
- PubChem lists it as harmful if inhaled and as causing respiratory irritation in all notifications. Suspected cancer (H351) is reported by 48.6% of notifications.
- In a fire
- Vinylidene fluoride decomposes in heat or fire to toxic and corrosive fumes, including hydrogen fluoride, fluorine and fluorides.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Stiffening and loss of seal at low temperaturemoderate severity | Operation below the static or dynamic low-temperature limit (static about -26 degC, dynamic about -15 to -18 degC)Seal loses flexibility and may leak |
| Permanent set after long compression at heatmoderate severity | Compressed at 200 degC for 22 hThe seal recovers less of its shape (22% set for the 75 Shore A grade, 16% for the 90 Shore A grade) |
| Premature set in hot water or steammoderate severity | Service in hot water or steamThe fluorocarbon hardens and takes a premature set, so it recovers less and may leak |
| Compression set after gamma dosecritical severity | Gamma dose of 1 x 10^7 radsThe V0747-75 compound takes a 66.7% set and Parker says to use it only at a lower dose |
Side effects on surrounding parts
| Affects | Effect |
|---|---|
| Not sourced | No side effects found in this run. |
Handling and storage
- Use a product safety data sheet for the specific FKM compound before handling; none was retrieved in this run.
- Keep monomer gases away from heat, as the PubChem precautionary codes P210 and P410+P403 advise for vinylidene fluoride.
Mitigations
- Choose a low-temperature grade or compound when the seal sees cold, as Parker advises for compounds down to -46 degC.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Fluorspar (calcium fluoride), the feedstock for fluorine chemistry
World mine production was about 10,000 thousand t in 2025 and world reserves about 330,000 thousand t. 2025 mine production in thousand t: China 6,000; Mexico 1,500; Mongolia 1,500; South Africa 410; Vietnam 160 (USGS). Aqueous HF made from fluorspar is the primary feedstock for fluorine chemicals, particularly refrigerants and fluoropolymers (USGS). The United States had no significant fluorspar mine production after 1995 and is 100% net import reliant. Import sources for 2021 to 2024: Mexico 64%, Vietnam 12%, China 10%, South Africa 9%, other 5% (USGS).
- Recycling
- Synthetic fluorspar can be made from neutralised waste from uranium enrichment, petroleum alkylation and stainless-steel pickling, but impurities limit its use. Primary aluminium producers recycle HF and fluorides from smelting (USGS).
- Substitutes
- Fluorosilicic acid has been used as an alternative to fluorspar in making AlF3 and HF (USGS).
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
| Document | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Polymax FKM (Viton) 75 Shore A O-ring datasheet | datasheet | 2017 |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, fluorspar | report | 2026 |
| NASA RP-1124 Revision 4, Outgassing Data for Selecting Spacecraft Materials | report | 1997 |
| Parker O-Ring Handbook (copy hosted by the University of Arizona) | report | 2022 |
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: fkm-viton
spore_version: 0.2
family: fluoroelastomers
name: Fluoroelastomer FKM (Viton)
abbreviation: FKM
role: O-ring and seal elastomer for vacuum, fuel and chemical service
category: seals-adhesives
type: elastomers-and-o-rings
summary: |
FKM, sold under the name Viton, is a fluorocarbon rubber used for O-rings and seals. Polymax describes its O-rings as having excellent chemical resistance and an operating range of -15 to 200 degC. Parker's O-ring handbook says it resists high temperature, ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, aromatics and many solvents, but has poor low-temperature flexibility for static seals.
best_for: Seals that must resist fuels, oils, aromatics and heat up to about 200 degC
weakest_at: Low-temperature flexibility (static limit about -26 degC in Parker's handbook, dynamic limit about -15 to -18 degC) and no outgassing data found in this run
identity:
formula: 'Fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM, FPM): a fluorine-rich rubber. The sources here give no monomer composition.'
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 2.2.7 (Fluorocarbon FKM); Polymax datasheets state that FPM, FKM and Viton are one base material
tags:
environments: []
stresses:
- extreme-heat
- extreme-cold
applications:
- mechanisms
- propulsion-and-tanks
properties:
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Operating temperature range (75 Shore A grade)
value: 200
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
grade: FKM (Viton) 75 ShA, black
lower_limit: '-15 degC'
method: Datasheet operating range, stated by the supplier
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Header, Operating temperature range
- benchmark: min_service_temp
label: Low-temperature resistance (ASTM D 1329 TR10, 75 Shore A grade)
value: -17
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 1329 TR10
method: Supplier datasheet, typical value
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: min_service_temp
label: Static seal low-temperature limit (general FKM)
value: -26
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
basis: static seals; Parker gives -15 degF
special_compounds: some compounds to -46 degC
method: Statement in Parker O-ring handbook
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 2.2.7 (Fluorocarbon FKM)
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Heat resistance (general FKM)
value: 204
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
basis: Parker gives 400 degF; higher temperatures are possible with shorter life expectancy
method: Statement in Parker O-ring handbook
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 2.2.7 (Fluorocarbon FKM), heat resistance
- benchmark: hardness
label: Hardness (75 Shore A grade)
value: 79
unit: Shore A
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 2240
grade: 75 ShA, black
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: hardness
label: Hardness (90 Shore A grade)
value: 91
unit: Shore A
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 2240
grade: 90 ShA, black
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-90
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength (75 Shore A grade)
value: 14
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 412
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength (90 Shore A grade)
value: 14
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 412
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-90
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break (75 Shore A grade)
value: 175
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 412
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break (90 Shore A grade)
value: 110
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 412
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-90
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: compression_set
label: Compression set (75 Shore A grade)
value: 22
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 395 B
time: 22 h
temperature: 200 degC
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: compression_set
label: Compression set (90 Shore A grade)
value: 16
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 395 B
time: 22 h
temperature: 200 degC
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-90
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: density
label: Specific gravity (75 Shore A grade)
value: 1.85
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
test: ASTM D 297
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: density
label: Specific gravity (90 Shore A grade)
value: 1.87
value_high: 1.9
bound: range
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
basis: printed as 1.87 plus or minus 0.03
method: Typical value from supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: polymax-90
where: Physical property table
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion (expansion, 24 to 191 degC)
value: 0.00009
unit: in/in/degF
scope: material
conditions:
basis: fluorocarbon elastomer row, expansion from 75 to 375 degF
method: Table of linear expansion data in Parker handbook (printed in US units)
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Thermal expansion table, Fluorocarbon Elastomer row (section number not read)
- benchmark: vacuum_weight_loss
label: Weight loss in vacuum (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)
value: 0.09
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
vacuum: about 1 x 10-6 torr
time: 336 h
temperature: 25 degC
method: Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML method
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.11.1 Vacuum Weight Loss, Table 3-19
- benchmark: vacuum_weight_loss
label: Weight loss in vacuum (V0884-75 fluorocarbon compound)
value: 0.07
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
vacuum: about 1 x 10-6 torr
time: 336 h
temperature: 25 degC
method: Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML method
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.11.1 Vacuum Weight Loss, Table 3-19
- benchmark: compression_set
label: Compression set after air ageing (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)
value: 66
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
test: air age
time: 1000 h
temperature: 204 degC
method: Parker air age test result, as stated in the handbook text
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.10.1 High Temperature
- benchmark: compression_set
label: Compression set after gamma radiation (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)
value: 66.7
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
dose: 1 x 10^7 rad gamma
temperature: room temperature
compound: V0747-75
method: Parker radiation table, compression set after gamma exposure, footnote 1; the exponent is read as 10^7 from the PDF text
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.9.14 Radiation, Data on Radiation Resistant Compounds table
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Temperature for 90% set after 1000 h (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)
value: 204
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
compound: V0747-75
basis: temperature at which a 0.139 in cross section ring takes 90% compression set after 1000 h, not exposed to radiation or fluids
method: Parker radiation table, footnote 2, printed as 204 C (400 F)
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.9.14 Radiation, Data on Radiation Resistant Compounds table, footnote 2
- benchmark: min_service_temp
label: Low-temperature compound V1289-75, advised down to -45 degC
value: -45
unit: degC
scope: material
conditions:
compound: V1289-75
basis: Parker advises considering this compound for temperatures down to -45 degC (-50 degF)
method: Parker application guidance, stated limit for the compound
status: ground
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.10.2 Low Temperature
corrosion:
- environment: Hot air, 250 degC, 70 h
headline: Hot air ageing changes hardness and strength only slightly.
effect: After 70 h at 250 degC in air (ASTM D 573), the 75 Shore A grade gained 1 point of hardness, lost 13% tensile strength and 2% ultimate elongation.
rating: low
conditions:
time: 70 h
temperature: 250 degC
standard: ASTM D 573
source: polymax-75
where: Aging property table
- environment: ASTM 101 service liquid, 200 degC, 70 h
headline: Hot service liquid softens the 75 Shore A grade slightly and swells it by 13%.
effect: After 70 h at 200 degC in ASTM 101 service liquid (ASTM D 471), hardness changed by -10 points, tensile strength by -15%, ultimate elongation by -6% and volume by +13%.
rating: moderate
conditions:
time: 70 h
temperature: 200 degC
standard: ASTM D 471
source: polymax-75
where: Aging property table
- environment: ASTM Fuel C, 23 degC, 70 h
headline: Fuel C at room temperature has a small effect.
effect: After 70 h at 23 degC in ASTM Fuel C (ASTM D 471), hardness changed by -4 points, tensile strength by -21%, ultimate elongation by -7% and volume by +4%.
rating: low
conditions:
time: 70 h
temperature: 23 degC
standard: ASTM D 471
source: polymax-75
where: Aging property table
- environment: Fuels, oils and chemicals in general
headline: Parker lists broad resistance to fuels, oils and many chemicals.
effect: Parker's handbook says FKM has excellent resistance to ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, synthetic hydraulic fluids, fuels, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals, and that special compounds improve resistance to acids and fuels.
rating: none
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement, no test conditions given
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 2.2.7 (Fluorocarbon FKM)
- environment: Hot water or steam
headline: Fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam.
effect: Parker says fluorocarbons tend to harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam, where ethylene propylene is generally superior. Parker's radiation table rates its V0747-75 compound Poor for steam and water resistance.
rating: severe
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement and table rating
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.10.1 High Temperature; Section 3.9.14 Radiation, Data on Radiation Resistant Compounds table
- environment: Hot air, 204 degC, 1000 h
headline: The high-temperature compound keeps sealing for many hours at 204 degC, but its life is short at 232 degC.
effect: After 1000 h in air at 204 degC, Parker's V0747-75 took a 66% set and kept enough recovery to continue sealing for many additional hours. At 232 degC the anticipated useful life falls to about 336 hours.
rating: moderate
conditions:
time: 1000 h
temperature: 204 degC
compound: V0747-75
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.10.1 High Temperature
- environment: Gamma radiation, 1 x 10^7 rad
headline: Gamma dose raises the compression set of the fluorocarbon compound.
effect: After 10^7 rads of gamma radiation at room temperature, Parker's V0747-75 took a 66.7% compression set. Parker's footnote says that above 40% set the compound should be used only at a lower dose level.
rating: severe
conditions:
dose: 1 x 10^7 rad
temperature: room temperature
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.9.14 Radiation, Data on Radiation Resistant Compounds table, footnote 1
risks:
hazards:
- text: No hazard classification found in this run. The safety data sheet for a specific FKM product was not retrieved.
ghs: []
source: parker-handbook
where: not found
- text: Vinylidene fluoride is a gas. PubChem lists it as extremely flammable, a gas under pressure that may explode if heated, and a suspected cancer hazard in 11% of notifications. This is for the monomer, not for the FKM compound.
ghs:
- H220
- H280
- H350
source: pubchem-vdf
where: GHS Classification (CID 6369)
- text: Hexafluoropropylene is a gas. PubChem lists it as harmful if inhaled and as causing respiratory irritation in all notifications, and suspected of causing cancer in 48.6% of notifications. Gases under pressure may explode if heated.
ghs:
- H332
- H335
- H351
- H280
source: pubchem-hfp
where: GHS Classification (CID 8302)
- text: Tetrafluoroethylene is a flammable gas. PubChem lists a suspected or confirmed cancer hazard (H350) and damage to organs (H371, reported in 32.2% of notifications). When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of fluorine.
ghs:
- H220
- H280
- H350
- H371
source: pubchem-tfe
where: GHS Classification and Decomposition (CID 8301)
failure_risks:
- mode: Stiffening and loss of seal at low temperature
trigger: Operation below the static or dynamic low-temperature limit (static about -26 degC, dynamic about -15 to -18 degC)
consequence: Seal loses flexibility and may leak
severity: moderate
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 2.2.7 (Fluorocarbon FKM)
- mode: Permanent set after long compression at heat
trigger: Compressed at 200 degC for 22 h
consequence: The seal recovers less of its shape (22% set for the 75 Shore A grade, 16% for the 90 Shore A grade)
severity: moderate
source: polymax-75
where: Physical property table
- mode: Premature set in hot water or steam
trigger: Service in hot water or steam
consequence: The fluorocarbon hardens and takes a premature set, so it recovers less and may leak
severity: moderate
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.10.1 High Temperature
- mode: Compression set after gamma dose
trigger: Gamma dose of 1 x 10^7 rads
consequence: The V0747-75 compound takes a 66.7% set and Parker says to use it only at a lower dose
severity: critical
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.9.14 Radiation
side_effects:
- text: No side effects found in this run.
affects: Not sourced
source: parker-handbook
where: not found
handling:
- text: Use a product safety data sheet for the specific FKM compound before handling; none was retrieved in this run.
source: polymax-75
- text: Keep monomer gases away from heat, as the PubChem precautionary codes P210 and P410+P403 advise for vinylidene fluoride.
source: pubchem-vdf
mitigations:
- text: Choose a low-temperature grade or compound when the seal sees cold, as Parker advises for compounds down to -46 degC.
source: parker-handbook
uses:
- application: mechanisms
device: O-rings and seals in aircraft, automotive and chemical equipment
example: Polymax says FKM has found wide acceptance in the aircraft, automotive and chemical industries. No space mission was named.
source: polymax-75
where: Product description
- application: propulsion-and-tanks
device: O-ring seals in jet-fuel service (dynamic)
example: Parker says its V1164-75 fluorocarbon may be used in dynamic applications with the jet fuels in that section because it swells less than 2%. Its low-temperature capability does not normally extend below -29 degC.
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.9.12.1 Jet Fuels
- application: mechanisms
device: Seals in vacuum equipment, where low weight loss matters
example: Parker's vacuum test gives 0.09% weight loss for V0747-75 and 0.07% for V0884-75 after 336 h at about 1 x 10-6 torr. These are ground results. No spacecraft flight use was named in the sources read.
source: parker-handbook
where: Section 3.11.1 Vacuum Weight Loss, Table 3-19
supply:
- subject: Fluorspar (calcium fluoride), the feedstock for fluorine chemistry
abundance: 'World mine production was about 10,000 thousand t in 2025 and world reserves about 330,000 thousand t. 2025 mine production in thousand t: China 6,000; Mexico 1,500; Mongolia 1,500; South Africa 410; Vietnam 160 (USGS). Aqueous HF made from fluorspar is the primary feedstock for fluorine chemicals, particularly refrigerants and fluoropolymers (USGS). The United States had no significant fluorspar mine production after 1995 and is 100% net import reliant. Import sources for 2021 to 2024: Mexico 64%, Vietnam 12%, China 10%, South Africa 9%, other 5% (USGS).'
producers: []
critical_lists: []
recycling: Synthetic fluorspar can be made from neutralised waste from uranium enrichment, petroleum alkylation and stainless-steel pickling, but impurities limit its use. Primary aluminium producers recycle HF and fluorides from smelting (USGS).
substitutes:
- Fluorosilicic acid has been used as an alternative to fluorspar in making AlF3 and HF (USGS).
source: usgs-fluorspar
where: Domestic Production and Use; World Mine Production and Reserves table; Recycling; Substitutes
media: []
documents:
- title: Polymax FKM (Viton) 75 Shore A O-ring datasheet
type: datasheet
url: https://www.polymax.co.uk/media/documents/Datasheet/fkm_viton_75sha_oring_polymax.pdf
year: 2017
- title: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, fluorspar
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
year: 2026
- title: NASA RP-1124 Revision 4, Outgassing Data for Selecting Spacecraft Materials
type: report
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19970027853/downloads/19970027853.pdf
year: 1997
- title: Parker O-Ring Handbook (copy hosted by the University of Arizona)
type: report
url: https://nfc.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2022-02/parker_o-ring_handbook.pdf
year: 2022
gaps:
- 'Outgassing to ASTM E595 (TML and CVCM) for FKM: not found. NASA RP-1124 Revision 4 (NTRS 19970027853) was read in this run and has no Viton or FKM entry. The Parker vacuum weight loss in this profile is a different test.'
- Parker vacuum weight loss is recorded under the benchmark name vacuum_weight_loss, which is not in property-canon.yaml.
- Chemours Viton product pages could not be read in this run (blocked). Monomer composition (vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene), the fluorine content by weight for Viton A, B and GF/GLT grades, and the cure system (peroxide or bisphenol) were not stated in any page read in this run.
- 'Safety data sheet for an FKM compound: not retrieved, so no FKM GHS data. The monomer GHS data are from PubChem and describe the gases, not the compound.'
- 'Atomic oxygen and spaceflight data for FKM: not searched or not found. No spacecraft flight use was named in the sources read, so the spacecraft seal use is open.'
- 'Amine compatibility for FKM: Parker''s amine rows were not mapped to the FKM column in this run.'
- 'Nitrogen tetroxide and other liquid rocket propellants: Parker says most elastomers are degraded by N2O4 and that its special compounds resist it, but the text read does not name FKM.'
- Producers of FKM or fluorspar (Chemours, Daikin, 3M, Solvay) were not confirmed from a page read in this run.
- 'Critical-mineral status of fluorspar: not stated in the USGS fluorspar summary read in this run.'
- Fluid resistance was read from Parker qualitatively and from three Polymax ASTM tests; no peer-reviewed data were found.
- 'Trelleborg datasheets: not fetched in this run.'
story:
recipe:
line: FKM is a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber, listed under ASTM D1418 and, as FPM, under ISO/DIN 1629 (Wikipedia). Parker says cross-linking during vulcanization turns the rubber into an elastic material, and that a post-cure may follow. Polymax can supply Viton grades A, B, G, GF, GLT and others on special request. The monomers and the fluorine share of each grade were not stated in any page read in this run.
parts: []
risk_groups:
- title: For people
lead: No hazard classification was retrieved for FKM in this run.
points:
- label: Safety data
line: Read the safety data sheet for the specific compound before handling. None was retrieved here.
- title: For the monomers
verdict: Flammable or pressurised gases, with suspected cancer
lead: PubChem classifies the monomer gases, not the FKM compound. No classification for FKM itself was found. Flammable or pressurised gases, with suspected cancer hazards
points:
- label: Vinylidene fluoride
line: PubChem lists it as an extremely flammable gas under pressure that may explode if heated. A suspected cancer hazard (H350) is reported by 11% of notifications.
- label: Hexafluoropropylene
line: PubChem lists it as harmful if inhaled and as causing respiratory irritation in all notifications. Suspected cancer (H351) is reported by 48.6% of notifications.
- label: In a fire
line: Vinylidene fluoride decomposes in heat or fire to toxic and corrosive fumes, including hydrogen fluoride, fluorine and fluorides.
why: 'FKM (Viton) is a fluorocarbon rubber made into O-rings and seals. Parker''s handbook describes it as resistant to high temperature, ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, aromatics and many solvents, with very low gas permeability. Its weak point is cold: static seals are limited to about -26 degC.'
uses:
- where: O-rings and seals in aircraft, automotive and chemical equipment
line: Polymax says FKM has found wide acceptance in the aircraft, automotive and chemical industries. No space mission was named in the source.
- where: Fuel and jet-fuel systems
line: Parker says its V1164-75 fluorocarbon may be used in dynamic jet-fuel service because it swells less than 2%, but its low-temperature capability does not normally extend below -29 degC.
- where: Vacuum equipment
line: Parker's vacuum test gives 0.09% weight loss for V0747-75 after 336 h at about 1 x 10-6 torr. These are ground results; no spacecraft flight use was found.
can_do:
- label: Temperature
value: '-15 to 200 degC'
line: The 75 Shore A datasheet gives an operating temperature range of -15 to 200 degC. Parker gives up to 204 degC for general FKM, with shorter life at the top end.
- label: Hardness and strength
value: 79 Shore A
line: The 75 Shore A grade has a hardness of 79 Shore A, a tensile strength of 14 MPa and an elongation of 175%. The 90 Shore A grade is harder at 91 Shore A with 110% elongation.
- label: Compression set
value: 22%
line: After 22 hours at 200 degC (ASTM D 395 B), the 75 Shore A grade keeps 22% set and the 90 Shore A grade 16%.
- label: Cold limit
value: '-17 degC'
line: Low-temperature resistance is -17 degC (ASTM D 1329 TR10) for the 75 Shore A grade. Parker gives -26 degC as the static limit for general FKM.
- label: Steam and radiation
value: 66.7% set
line: Parker says fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in hot water or steam. After 10^7 rads of gamma dose, its V0747-75 compound took a 66.7% compression set.
compare: FKM is a general-purpose fluoroelastomer for heat and fuel service. The sources read here give its heat and fuel resistance qualitatively and a few numbers for two grades. No comparison with other seal elastomers was made in this run.
compare_rows:
- scope: material
label: Operating range
benchmark: max_service_temp
- scope: material
label: Low-temperature limit
benchmark: min_service_temp
- scope: material
label: Compression set
benchmark: compression_set
handling:
- Read the product safety data sheet before use. None was retrieved here.
- Choose a low-temperature grade if the seal sees cold.
- Keep monomer gases away from heat. PubChem gives precautionary codes P210 and P410+P403 for vinylidene fluoride.
good_for:
- 'Heat and fuel resistance: operating range of -15 to 200 degC, and resistance to fuels and oils per the Parker handbook.'
- Low gas permeability, similar to butyl rubber (Parker handbook).
- 'Vacuum: Parker weight loss is 0.09% for V0747-75 after 336 h at about 1 x 10-6 torr, lower than the nitrile and polyurethane compounds in the same table.'
watch_out:
- 'Cold: static limit about -26 degC and dynamic limit about -15 to -18 degC.'
- Compression set rises with heat over time (22% for the 75 Shore A grade after 22 h at 200 degC).
- No outgassing (ASTM E595) value was found, so it cannot be cleared for vacuum use from this profile.
- 'Steam and hot water: Parker says fluorocarbons harden and take a premature set in them, and rates V0747-75 Poor for steam and water.'
- 'Radiation: at 10^7 rads the V0747-75 compound took a 66.7% set. Parker advises a lower dose where the set is over 40%.'
verdict: FKM is a dependable seal elastomer for hot fuel and oil service. Parker's data add vacuum weight loss, radiation and steam limits. ASTM E595 outgassing, monomer composition and flight data are still missing from this profile.
sources:
polymax-75:
title: FKM (Viton) 75 ShA O-ring datasheet, Polymax
id: Polymax datasheet fkm_viton_75sha_oring
url: https://www.polymax.co.uk/media/documents/Datasheet/fkm_viton_75sha_oring_polymax.pdf
year: 2017
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier datasheet, cited
polymax-90:
title: FKM (Viton) 90 ShA O-ring datasheet, Polymax
id: Polymax datasheet fkm_viton_90sha_oring
url: https://www.polymax.co.uk/media/documents/Datasheet/fkm_viton_90sha_oring_polymax.pdf
year: 2017
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier datasheet, cited
parker-handbook:
title: Parker O-Ring Handbook (copy hosted by the University of Arizona)
id: Parker O-Ring Handbook, copy at the University of Arizona
url: https://nfc.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2022-02/parker_o-ring_handbook.pdf
year: 2022
kind: handbook
license: Manufacturer handbook, cited
usgs-fluorspar:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Fluorspar, U.S. Geological Survey
id: USGS MCS 2026, fluorspar
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: U.S. Government work, public domain
pubchem-vdf:
title: PubChem, Vinylidene fluoride (CID 6369)
id: PubChem CID 6369
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6369
kind: database
license: PubChem, public database
pubchem-hfp:
title: PubChem, Hexafluoropropylene (CID 8302)
id: PubChem CID 8302
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8302
kind: database
license: PubChem, public database
pubchem-tfe:
title: PubChem, Tetrafluoroethylene (CID 8301)
id: PubChem CID 8301
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8301
kind: database
license: PubChem, public database
nasa-rp1124:
title: NASA Reference Publication 1124 Revision 4, Outgassing Data for Selecting Spacecraft Materials
id: NTRS 19970027853
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19970027853/downloads/19970027853.pdf
year: 1997
kind: report
license: NASA public document
wikipedia-fluoroelastomer:
title: Wikipedia, Fluoroelastomer
id: Wikipedia Fluoroelastomer; lists FKM under ASTM D1418 and FPM under ISO/DIN 1629
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoroelastomer
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-19'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 21
note: Deepened on 2026-10-19 from USGS fluorspar 2026, the Parker O-Ring Handbook, NASA RP-1124 Revision 4, PubChem and Wikipedia, all read in this run.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FKM (Viton) 75 ShA O-ring datasheet, Polymax | datasheet | 2017 | 13 values | |
| FKM (Viton) 90 ShA O-ring datasheet, Polymax | datasheet | 2017 | 5 values | |
| Parker O-Ring Handbook (copy hosted by the University of Arizona) | handbook | 2022 | 22 values | |
| Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Fluorspar, U.S. Geological Survey | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| PubChem, Vinylidene fluoride (CID 6369) | database | 2 values | ||
| PubChem, Hexafluoropropylene (CID 8302) | database | 1 value | ||
| PubChem, Tetrafluoroethylene (CID 8301) | database | 1 value | ||
| NASA Reference Publication 1124 Revision 4, Outgassing Data for Selecting Spacecraft Materials | report | 1997 | 0 values | |
| Wikipedia, Fluoroelastomer | web | 0 values |