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.

9 sources · Updated 2026-10-19 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

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

    Key properties of FKM
    PropertyValueBasis
    Density1.85 to 1.9 g/cm³2 sourced values across conditions
    Tensile strength14 MPa2 sourced values across conditions
    Thermal expansion (CTE)50 ppm/K1 sourced value
    Maximum service temperature200 to 204 °C2 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.

    What FKM is made of
    IngredientAtoms per unitShare of the weightWhat 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.

    Benchmarks
    MeasurementFKM
    Physical and electrical
    Hardness (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet79 Shore A
    Hardness (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet91 Shore A
    Specific gravity (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet1.85 g/cm³
    Specific gravity (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet1.87 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 handbook204 °C
    Tensile strength (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet14 MPa
    Tensile strength (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet14 MPa
    Elongation at break (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet175 %
    Elongation at break (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet110 %
    Compression set (75 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet22 %2
    Compression set (90 Shore A grade)Typical value from supplier datasheet16 %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.

    Notes for the numbered rows
    #MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
    1Operating temperature range (75 Shore A grade)Datasheet operating range, stated by the suppliergrade FKM (Viton) 75 ShA, blacklower limit -15 °C—
    2Compression set (75 Shore A grade)—test ASTM D 395 Btime 22 htemperature 200 °C—
    3Compression set (90 Shore A grade)—test ASTM D 395 Btime 22 htemperature 200 °C—
    4Coefficient 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—
    5Weight loss in vacuum (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML methodvacuum about 1 x 10-6 torrtime 336 htemperature 25 °C—
    6Weight loss in vacuum (V0884-75 fluorocarbon compound)Parker weight loss of compounds in vacuum test, which is not the ASTM E595 TML methodvacuum about 1 x 10-6 torrtime 336 htemperature 25 °C—
    7Compression set after air ageing (V0747-75 fluorocarbon compound)Parker air age test result, as stated in the handbook texttest air agetime 1000 htemperature 204 °C—
    8Compression 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 textdose 1 x 10^7 rad gammatemperature room temperaturecompound V0747-75—
    9Temperature 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—
    10Low-temperature compound V1289-75, advised down to -45 degCParker application guidance, stated limit for the compoundcompound 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.

    Corrosion and compatibility
    EnvironmentConcernWhat 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
    Corrosion details
    #EnvironmentDetailsTest 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 risks
    FailureTrigger and consequence
    Stiffening and loss of seal at low temperaturemoderate severityOperation 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 severityCompressed 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 severityService in hot water or steamThe fluorocarbon hardens and takes a premature set, so it recovers less and may leak
    Compression set after gamma dosecritical severityGamma 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

    Side effects on surrounding parts
    AffectsEffect
    Not sourcedNo 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).