FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PTFE (Teflon): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PTFE (Teflon)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton)
Fluoroelastomer — THE high-temperature and chemical-resistant rubber. Outstanding resistance to oils, fuels, acids, and solvents at temperatures up to 200°C (short-term 230°C). Fluorine content (64-70%) determines chemical resistance. Trade names: Viton (Chemours), Tecnoflon (Solvay), Dai-El (Daikin). 5-10x more expensive than NBR. Used for aerospace fuel seals, chemical process seals, automotive fuel injector O-rings, semiconductor processing, and any seal exposed to aggressive chemicals at high temperature.
PTFE (Teflon)
Polytetrafluoroethylene — the most chemically resistant polymer. Lowest friction coefficient of any solid material (~0.05-0.10). Service range -240°C to +260°C continuous. Cannot be melt-processed — must be sintered from powder (like ceramics). Very low mechanical strength. Trade name Teflon (Chemours/DuPont). Used for seals, gaskets, bearings, non-stick coatings, chemical reactor linings, electrical insulation, and lab equipment.
| FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PTFE (Teflon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 12086 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PTFE (Teflon) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinylidene Fluoride (VDF) | 30–60% | — | — |
| Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) | 25–45% | — | — |
| Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) | 0–30% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polytetrafluoroethylene) | — | 99.5–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PTFE (Teflon) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 8–17 | 20–35 | MPa |
| Elongation | 150–350 | 200–400 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 60–90 | — | Shore A |
| Density | |||
| continuous_service_temp | |||
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| friction_coefficient | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| Coefficient of Friction | |||
| Dielectric Constant (1MHz) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PTFE (Teflon) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) the same as PTFE (Teflon)?
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PTFE (Teflon) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) with PTFE (Teflon)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PTFE (Teflon)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) is a Polymers grade, while PTFE (Teflon) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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