What is Sealrez® FFKM?

 

 

Sealrez® FFKM is a rubber that is suitable for application in various seals, but is primarily used as an O-ring.

FFKM (according to ASTM 1418 standard, equivalent to FFPMs according to ISO / DIN 1629 standard) are per-fluoroelastomeric compounds that contain an even higher amount of fluoride than FKM. The material is actually an improved version of FKM with 20% more fluorine in the chains.

Improved sealing capabilities through longer service life

Sealrez® FFKM seals last longer in chemically-aggressive process environments where they have the best sealing capabilities compared to other elastomers. They have improved resistance to very high temperatures up to 325°C, chemicals and environments where for instance oxygen plasma is present for many hours.

Some examples of chemically-aggressive process environments in which Sealrez® FFKM performs well include:

  • Concentrated alkalis and bases
  • Ketones, esters and ethers
  • Halogens and strong oxidizing media
  • Hydraulic and fuel oils and fuels
  • Organic solvents
  • Hot water and steam
  • CIP and SIP cleaning media
  • Aliphatic and aromatic amines
  • Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide

Advantages of Sealrez® FFKM

Fewer inspections, repairs and replacements

The long-term performance of Sealrez® FFKM seals often results in less frequent inspections, repairs and replacement of the seal, which in turn results in increased process and equipment uptime and longer MTBF with significant cost reduction as an end result.

Reduced extractables

Sealrez® FFKM seals also help prevent contamination in semiconductor processes by reducing extractables. In doing so, the rubber also helps for particle reduction and provides resistance to degradation in raw plasma. Certain Sealrez® FFKMs have a maximum continuous operating temperature of 325  °C (617 °F).

FFKM O-rings and molded parts

Sealrez® is commonly used in O-rings, molded parts and gaskets used in applications that come in contact with hydrocarbons or highly corrosive fluids. It is also used in O-rings, molded parts and gaskets that need to be sealed over a very wide temperature range. Read more about Sealrez® FFKM O-rings here.

Low outgassing, low particle emission and high temperature resistance

For vacuum applications, Sealrez®FFKM offers low outgassing and particle emission, as well as high temperature applicability. After production, they are O-plasma vacuum cleaned (and/or vacuum baked) to achieve an outgassing performance similar to Teflon®. While achieving vacuum density (permeability rates) similar to FKM compounds.

This combination of properties allows Sealrez® FFKM seals to work well in UHV pressures, without the use of metal sealing.