Fluorosilicone rubber, also known as FVQM or MFQ, contains 23-28% fluorine and has nearly the same physical and mechanical properties as standard silicone rubber as matches on par with their flexibility at low temperatures.
However, due to its fluorine content, fluorosilicone rubber does offer better resistance to oils and fuels, and it also provides a good level of resistance to swelling.
When it comes to fluorosilicone rubber temperature range, it’s important to note that the operating temperature range in fluorosilicone is reduced slightly, but only slightly, and we will come on to this further in this blog post.
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Benefits of fluorosilicone rubber
Often opted for when the working environment is considered “harsh,” you will find fluorosilicone rubber o rings used in more and more applications due to the numerous benefits this material can provide. For example, you will find this type of o ring found in automotive, fuel emissions, petroleum oil applications, solvent environments, environments with broad temperature ranges, and more.
Fluorosilicone rubber properties:
- It has a temperature range from -60 degrees Celsius to 205 degrees Celsius.
- Have a hardness range from 40 to 80 Shore A.
- Can maintain its tensile strength.
- Remain flexible at all times.
- Have excellent compression set resistance.
Fluorosilicone material properties are:
- Resistant to oils, fuels, chemicals, and solvents (great for static seals).
- Resistant to extreme temperature ranges (making them great in fuel systems where temperatures can reach 220 degrees Celsius)
- Flexible at low temperatures
- Resistant to weather and high ozone levels
- Resilient to rebounding
- Resistant to petroleum oils and hydrocarbon fuels
- Resistant to water, ageing, and bacteria
- It can be compression moulded, injected, extruded, and calendared into o rings, gaskets, tubing, and other seals.
Fluorosilicone rubber also has good mechanical and dielectric properties, helping engineers who opt to use these elastomers deliver a more suitable, sustainable, and innovative solution to sealing requirements.
Due to its resistance to solvents, this material is ideal for specific applications where you require a general resistance to a range of chemicals and solvents.
Fluorosilicone rubber also continues to perform even when placed under extreme temperature ranges, with FFKM o rings offering you higher thermal and chemical resistance than standard o rings – great when working with chemical applications.
We also must emphasise the resilience again that fluorosilicone rubber properties provide.
Offering a low compression set, this elastomer will not deform under strain and compression, keeping the seal intact and hence reducing the risk of leaks. Providing you with reliability and durability across a range of applications, even those that prove to be the most challenging.
Primarily, you will find this type of material in the automotive and aerospace sectors, with medical and pharmaceutical sectors now following their lead as they are also beginning to see the benefits this material provides, especially when it comes to its resistance to bacterial growth!
Due to the nature and composite of its properties, fluorosilicone rubber is suitable for:
- Medical tubing
- Seals and engine gaskets
- Air pump valves
- O rings
- Full line seals
- Leak detection seals
- And much more.
Cons of fluorosilicone rubber
Fluorosilicone has low tensile strength and high gas permeability. It also suffers from low tear strength and poor abrasion resistance.
These elements combined mean fluorosilicone is often not suitable for dynamic sealing.
They can also be expensive compared to standard silicone. This is because the makeup of fluorosilicone is difficult and time-consuming when we examine the vulcanisation process in more detail; this drives up production costs and overall expense
For all fluorosilicone rubber has a high chemical resistance, it’s important to be aware that it is not resistant to everything. For example, fluorosilicone rubber will not perform well with brake fluids, ketones, hydrazine, and amines.
Further information
It’s important that you get the right compound to fit your requirements and specifications perfectly.
The right seal can ensure that your application suffers from no leaks or gases escaping.
Due to this material’s various benefits, fluorosilicone is an attractive option when matched with the correct application.
If you need help choosing the right o ring and seal for your application, call the specialist o ring supplier Leeds on 01535 274 776 today or email us at sales@specialistsealingproducts.co.uk for further information.
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