Aflas
(Tetrafluoroethylene / Propylene)

AFLAS (TFE/P) refers to a fluoropolymer elastomer composed of an alternating copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene. Thanks to its unique chemical structure, Aflas offers a combination of temperature resilience, chemical resistance, and broad sealing performance — making it an ideal choice for demanding industrial applications.

Core Properties & Performance Highlights

• High-temperature capability — A properly formulated Aflas elastomer can operate continuously at elevated temperatures, with many compounds rated for up to ≈ 230 °C (about 446 °F).
• Wide chemical resistance — Resistant to a broad spectrum of aggressive media, including strong acids and bases, oils, lubricants, amines, phosphate esters, and many industrial solvents.
• Steam, hot water and vapour resistance — Suitable for applications involving steam, hot water or water-based media, making it ideal for industries such as chemical processing, petrochemical, pulp & paper or power generation.
• Oil, lubricant & automotive fluid compatibility — Compatible with many types of oils, engine oils, brake fluids (including DOT 3), transmission and power-steering fluids, mineral and silicone oils, making Aflas a viable sealing solution in hydraulic or fluid-handling systems.
• Good electrical insulating properties & gas resistance — Aflas offers high resistivity and barrier properties, which can be advantageous for certain sealing, cable or insulating applications.
• Improved low-temperature performance (relative to many fluoroelastomers) — While elastomer performance always depends on compound formulation, Aflas generally maintains flexibility at moderately low temperatures compared with many alternative materials.

Typical Applications & Industries

Aflas is chosen whenever seals or gaskets must endure harsh environments. Common sectors and use-cases include:

• Oil & Gas / Petrochemical — Ideal for valve seats, packings, O-rings, gaskets and various sealing components exposed to petroleum, sour gas (H₂S), amines, or acidic/alkaline processing media.
• Chemical Processing & Industrial Manufacturing — Resistant to acids, bases, solvents, steam, hot water, etc. Useful in chemical plants, process systems, and general industrial machinery.
• Steam Systems & Thermal / Power Applications — Reliable under steam, high temperature, and pressure: ideal for boilers, heat exchangers, piping, and thermal fluid systems.
• Hydraulics / Automotive — Suited for seals in hydraulic systems, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power-steering fluid systems, etc.
• General Industrial Seals & Gaskets — Compression seals, shaft seals, custom-moulded components, diaphragms, gaskets — anywhere robust sealing is needed with chemical or thermal exposure.

Summary: When to Choose Aflas

Choose Aflas (TFE/P) when you need a robust elastomer seal that can handle:

• High temperatures (often beyond 200 °C)
• Exposure to aggressive chemicals — acids, bases, solvents, oils, amines, brake fluids, etc.
• Steam, hot water, or vapour environments
• Industrial fluids, lubricants, hydraulic or petrochemical fluids
• A balance between chemical resistance, heat resistance, and general sealing performance

However, avoid it when:

• The application involves solvents or hydrocarbons known to degrade or swell Aflas (e.g. ketones, toluene, aromatic fuels)
• You need long-term compression set resistance at high temperatures
• You require maximum stability for automotive fuels — standard FKM or other fluorocarbon elastomers may perform more consistently

Aflas excels in amine and steam environments but is not suited to aromatic fuels or ketones.

Tests have shown that other FKM elastomers are recommended for automotive fuels since they have less volume swell than TFE/P. Also, TFE/P has shown to have less than desirable results when exposed to toluene, ethers, ketones, and acetic acid. Its hydrocarbon resistance approaches that of FKM copolymer. However, in comparison to FKM it has poor compression set resistance.

Please note: This Material Data Sheet section is to be used as a professional guide only. Eastern Seals (UK) Ltd may source their products from a variety of Quality Approved Suppliers and the data shown should not be relied upon by any purchaser without verification of material source.

ES REF	Colour	Temp Range	Hardness	Notes	Data Sheet
AFLAS70	BLACK	-9°C to 204°C	70	Good resistance to chemicals including amines, methanol, steam and hot water.	Aflas 70
AFLAS80	BLACK	-9°C to 204°C	80	Good resistance to chemicals including amines, methanol, steam and hot water.	Aflas 80
AFLAS90	BLACK	-9°C to 204°C	90	Good resistance to chemicals including amines, methanol, steam and hot water.	Aflas 90