Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer Rubber FFKM FFPM

Kalrez® Gum, also known as Perfluoroelastomer FFKM FFPM, by using special tetrafluorinated monomers, completely hydrogen-free monomers, appropriate component selection, and using suitable processing, we have the chance to obtain materials characterized by elastomeric properties similar to PTFE. FFKM rubber has chemical properties similar to PTFE material, as well as elastic properties of FKM rubber. However, processing perfluoroelastomer FFKM is quite difficult. Due to the significantly higher price of FFKM rubber compared to FKM rubber, the former is used exclusively in applications where other materials of this type do not meet requirements. This can happen, for example, in the semiconductor and measuring instruments industry or in the chemical industry. Aggressive media or very high temperatures have an impact on this. FFKM is useful wherever the cost of replacing seals exceeds the costs of its value.

The heat resistance of FFKM rubber is up to approximately +310 degrees Celsius. Its resistance to low temperatures reaches around -15 degrees Celsius. However, special materials can achieve resistance up to -35 degrees Celsius.

What does the abbreviation FFKM mean?

The abbreviation FFKM comes from the English language. It stands for perfluoroelastomer, which means precisely perfluoro rubber (in English: Perfluoroelastomer).

The resistance of the material known as FFKM is as follows:

• Virtually all chemical substances
• Action of oxygen, ozone, and aging in atmospheric conditions
• Very low mass loss under high vacuum and high temperature conditions

However, it is not resistant to:

• Chemical substances containing fluorine (e.g. Freon 11, 12, 13, 113, 114)

Kalrez® is a material designed by DuPont. Particularly valued in the aerospace, transportation, and chemical processing industries, extending to chip production and applications in the oil and gas industry. Kalrez was designed to provide high levels of stability, resistance, and effective sealing. It offers a constant cure rate and the longest service life in the industry. Designed for critical applications, Kalrez is considered the best and most readily available polymer structure, consisting of over 1800 different chemicals. Despite this, Kalrez also offers high temperature stability.

Kalrez® O-rings - Temperature

O-rings made from this material have exceptional chemical and thermal resistance, reaching up to +350 degrees Celsius (only periodically). These O-rings are intended for applications where rubber elements are exposed to very high temperatures. They stand out for their low permeation coefficient and low susceptibility to swelling and other chemical attacks.

They achieve temperature resistance from -50 to +315 degrees Celsius. O-rings made from the perfluoroelastomer FFKM also have increased resistance to acids.

Kalrez® O-rings - Applications

Key features of Kalrez O-rings:

• Best chemical resistance in a wide range
• Resistance to acids
• High mechanical properties
• Both dynamic and static applications
• Low permeability, reducing the risk of swelling
• Low compression set
• Good performance in vacuum conditions

All the characteristics of perfluoroelastomers make it suitable for a wide and unique range of applications. It can be used wherever rubber elements are particularly exposed to challenging chemical and thermal conditions. FFKM O-rings should be considered in the production of cars and airplanes. Also, in devices requiring maximum resistance to high temperatures. Perfluoroelastomer rubber is resistant to mineral oils, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, gasoline, diesel fuel, silicone oils, and greases. It is especially useful in the aerospace industry, where it is used for static sealing with O-rings, membranes, and gaskets. In the chemical industry, it is used for pumps, mechanical valves, and seals. In the semiconductor industry, it is used to produce emission gas reduction systems in environments with high temperatures.

O-rings made of FFKM are available in many variants to meet the highest requirements. We will present the available types of Kalrez to make it even easier to choose the type for the required properties for our use. The basic types are:

Kalrez 0040
Operating temperature: from -42°C to +220°C
Type dedicated for use in low temperatures. Dedicated for use in polar circle areas.

Kalrez 0090
Operating temperature: up to +250°C
Type dedicated for locations with rapid gas decompression (RDG). Certified by British standard: NORSOK-M-710

Kalrez 1050LF
Operating temperature: up to +288°C
Dedicated for hot water and steam. Also for contact with ammonia-derived chemical compounds - amine and amines. Not recommended for use with organic acids and inorganic acids at high temperatures.

Kalrez 3018
Operating temperature: up to +288°C
General-purpose blend dedicated for the aerospace industry. One of the main features is resistance to swelling when in contact with organic and inorganic acids. Adapted to thermal cycles. Model not recommended for contact with hot water and steam, or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

Kalrez 4079
Operating temperature: up to +316°C
Blend intended for the aerospace industry. Resistant to aging processes in hot air. Characterized by low swelling in organic acids, inorganic acids, and aldehydes. Not recommended for use in contact with: hot water and steam, aliphatic amines, ethylene oxides, and propylene oxides.

Kalrez 6221
Operating temperature: up to +260°C
FDA certified blend, dedicated to the food industry, for contact with food due to minimal release of blend particles when in contact with steam. Also certified USP VI.

Kalrez 6375
Operating temperature: up to +275°C
Dedicated for the chemical industry. It has excellent resistance to acids, bases, and amines. Also recommended for use in contact with hot steam or hot water, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide.

Kalrez 6380
Operating temperature: up to +225°C
Dedicated for the chemical industry using a wide range of aggressive and hot amines. Used in places intended for oxidation.

Kalrez 7075
Operating temperature: up to +327°C
Dedicated for places with low permanent deformations. Used in the chemical industry and in applications using hydrocarbons as a medium.

Kalrez 7090
Operating temperature: up to +325°C
Blend with increased hardness. Dedicated for high pressures, for both static and dynamic applications at high temperatures. Characterized by high resistance to gas decompression, thermal cycle tests, and permanent deformations.

Kalrez 9100
Operating temperature: up to +300°C
Transparent blend dedicated for contact with erosion and wear processes, dust generation places, and for use in plasma environments. Dedicated for dynamic seals.

Source: www.dupont.com