{"id":196108,"date":"2022-12-16T15:23:43","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T21:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globaloring.com\/?p=196108"},"modified":"2025-10-09T15:16:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:16:56","slug":"viton-fkm-o-rings-how-to-make-an-informed-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globaloring.com\/blog\/viton-fkm-o-rings-how-to-make-an-informed-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Viton\u00ae (FKM) O-Rings\u2014How to Make an Informed Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Viton\u00ae<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Viton\u00ae o-rings are also referred to as FKM  o-rings since they are made of fluorocarbon elastomers. FKM is short for Fluro-Elastomer and is a copolymer made of highly fluorinated hydrocarbons. However, not all FKMs are genuine Viton\u00ae o-rings.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will walk you through a series of questions, and the answers will help you make a more informed decision. We will use the term Viton\u00ae (FKM) to avoid any confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viton\u00ae was introduced in 1958 and originally developed by DuPont. It is a trade name for the Chemours brand of fluorocarbon. FKM is a family of fluorocarbon-based fluoroelastomer materials defined by ASTM International standard D1418<\/a>, and ISO standard 1629<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluorocarbon is also known as FKM. Chemours is not the only company that manufactures FKM products. And therein lies the confusion. Not all FKM o-rings are genuine Viton\u00ae o-rings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between Genuine Viton\u00ae vs. generic FKM o-rings?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though people in the industry use FKM and Viton interchangeably, they are not the same. O-rings and sealing products not made from 100% virgin Chemours Viton\u00ae may fall short of the performance levels expected from the stringent quality standards Chemours has set for Viton\u00ae.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another difference is in the curing process. Standard FKM o-ring compounds are bisphenol-cured. FKM o-ring compounds with peroxide-cured possess better acid solution resistance than the bisphenol-cured and can replace litharge-cured applied in acid solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some lubricants, adding a few organic amides or amines or choosing peroxide-cured system Viton\u00ae o-rings will be better than bisphenol curing systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you know you are getting genuine Viton\u00ae (FKM) o-rings?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have to know to ask! Ask your supplier if they carry genuine Viton\u00ae (FKM) o-rings. Can they provide an official Viton\u00ae Licensee Certificate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only manufacturers who have signed a formal agreement with Chemours can use this seal on their products. These manufacturers undergo a stringent qualifying process where they must demonstrate their knowledge, be well-versed with the quality standards, and be able to help select the right Viton\u00ae product for an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Global O-Ring and Seal, we make it easy for our customers. All our Standard AS568 Viton\u00ae o-rings<\/a> are available in Genuine Chemours Viton\u00ae\u2026not a generic FKM.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Genuine<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Viton\u00ae<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What does the \u201cMade With Genuine Viton\u00ae\u201d seal mean, and why is it important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The seal means the parts were manufactured and distributed by strictly following Chemours guidelines. Only parts made with 100% virgin Viton\u00ae as the sole elastomeric component are labeled with this seal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cMade With Genuine Viton\u00ae\u201d guarantees product integrity. When products carry this emblem, compliance with OSHA Mechanical Integrity Section 1910.119<\/a> is assured. In addition, the seal means that the parts offer the superior performance that only Chemours Viton\u00ae fluoroelastomer provides. Other fluoroelastomer parts may include blends and other rubbers that deliver lower heat and fluid resistance performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always insist on 100% virgin Viton\u00ae and look for the \u201cMade With Genuine Viton\u00ae\u201d seal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the performance characteristics of Viton\u00ae?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n