O-ring Viton 90
Viton 90 is one of the variants of the Viton elastomer. Viton is also known as fluoroelastomer, FKM, and FPM. Viton is an elastomer material that is used in the production of o-rings and other tools. Viton is widely used in the petrochemical and gas industries due to its high resilience and texture.
Also, it is applied in industries dealing with harsh chemicals that could easily affect and wear other rubber materials. The material is resistant to oil, aromatic hydrocarbons, motor fuels, non-polar solvents, pressure fluids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc. they can withstand temperatures ranging between -26 ⁰C to 205 ⁰C.
1. What is Viton 90 ?
Viton 90 is also known as fluoroelastomer, FKM, or FPM. Sometimes, the name of the material is confused and many argue on the differences between the three aforementioned names. While all are the same, the specific names are used in different cases. The FKM is a short name given by the ASTM (American Body) referring to fluoroelastomer according to D1418. FPM is the German body (DIN) abbreviation for Fluroelastomer. VITON, a company trademark for Du Pont Company has been the generally accepted name for fluoroelastomer material.
Viton comes in green or brown color, however, its uniqueness is a result of the density. The density makes the Viton rubber make a good and strong seal when used in applications.
It is a material generally used in various industries especially hydraulics for the manufacturing of o-rings. They contain a high level of fluorinated carbon-based polymers which is resistant to weather attacks and harsh chemicals. Sometimes, the fluorine content is increased which improves the resistance against chemicals and temperatures. They are designed to withstand temperatures ranging between -26 ⁰C to 205 ⁰C and higher, provided the working duration is short.
2. What are the differences between Viton and EPDM?
Viton and EPDM are both types of rubber materials used in the production of o-rings. O-rings are circular-shaped gaskets used to seal metal surfaces together during installation. They are majorly made of rubber materials such as Nitrile rubber (NBR), EPDM, Viton, etc. these rubber materials exhibit different traits and qualities. Also, they are more preferred than the others. This subsection will discuss the differences between Viton and EPDM.
EPDM is the acronym for Ethylene Propylene diene monomer. This name is derived from the combination of monomers contained in the material. It is a rubber material that is used in the production of o-rings for hydraulic systems and other appliances as well. EPDM material has a high resistance against tear and contains a high tensile strength.
The major differences between EPDM and Viton are in their temperature tolerance and chemical resistance. They are explained below:
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Temperature Tolerance: both materials are suitable for extreme temperatures, however, EPDM is more productive in cooler environments while Viton has a very high resistance for hot temperatures. EPDM temperature ranges between -57 ⁰C to 121 ⁰C while Viton operates under temperature ranging between -26 ⁰C to 205 ⁰C.
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Chemical Resistance: EPDM and Viton have specific elements of chemicals they are resisting. For EPDM, it contains a high resistance against silicone oils, steam, and hot water, polar solvents such as alcohol, ketones, etc. it lacks resistance for greases, fuels, mineral oils, etc. Viton on the other hand has a very good resistance level for gasoline, aromatic hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, alkalis, and mineral oils. Generally, both EPDM and Viton exhibit great resistance against weather, ozone, and oxygen.
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Price: Another major difference one should explore before getting these materials is the cost. When evaluating the cost of these compounds, it has been stated according to a survey that the cost of Viton products is approximately eight times above EPDM. Despite this, Viton products are very versatile and available in different sizes which still places it above the latter.
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Applications: Most of the o-rings used in hydraulic applications are made of NBR. However, Viton material is the second after NBR. Viton products are suitable for petrochemical, food, and chemical industries due to their resistance against chemicals, while EPDM is more suitable for steam applications. It is important to note that EPDM products are not suitable for petroleum solvents and elements.
3. What are the uses of Viton 90?
Viton 90 is used for different applications such as petrochemical, food, and chemical industries. They exhibit a high level of chemical resistance which makes them suitable in these areas. Also, they are the second used materials for o-rings used in sealing metal surfaces of flanges and other hydraulic devices.
Viton 90 is designed to tolerate a high level of temperature. The temperature of the material ranges from -26 ⁰C to 205 ⁰C which makes it tolerate a high level of hot temperature. Viton 90 is suitable for use in high vacuum systems, automobiles, aircraft, and other industries working with very harsh chemicals.