‎Fluorocarbone – FKM

Fluorocarbon rubber is part of the fluoroelastomer family. It is also known under the names FPM (DIN/ISO standard) or FKM (ASTM standard).

All fluorocarbon rubbers – FKM contain vinylidene fluoride as a monomer. They can be divided into different classes based on their chemical composition, fluorine content or cross-linking mechanism.

Fluorocarbon rubbers provide excellent resistance to high temperatures and are stable in the presence of many aggressive chemicals and fluids (oil, diesel, ethanol blend or body fluid). They withstand temperatures of up to 250°C without losing their mechanical properties.

The performance of fluoroelastomers in harsh chemicals depends on the nature of the base polymer and the blending ingredients used to mold the final products (e.g., O-rings). Some formulations are generally compatible with hydrocarbons, but incompatible with ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, amines, and organic acids such as acetic acid.

They are easily distinguished from many other elastomers due to their high density of over 1800 kg/m3, significantly higher than most types of rubber.