(FFKM) Perfluoroelastomer
Perfluoroelastomers are ideal for use in the chemical and petroleum industries, as well as for the manufacturing of semiconductors and analytical and process instruments.
What is FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer)
FFKM stands for perfluoroelastomer — a class of high‑performance elastomeric materials constructed from perfluorinated monomers. These elastomers contain a very high fluorine content (typically ~ 73 %, compared to 63–68 % in standard fluorocarbon elastomers such as FKM/Viton) which gives them extraordinary chemical and thermal resistance.
In effect, FFKM combines the best aspects of two material types:
- The chemical inertness and durability often associated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
- The elasticity, sealing performance, and mechanical resilience of conventional elastomeric rubbers (e.g., FKM / Viton).
This unique hybrid performance places FFKM in a niche all‑of‑its‑own — ideal where standard elastomers fail, but PTFE alone (rigid, brittle) isn’t suitable.
Why FFKM — Key Strengths & Material Advantages
Exceptional Chemical Resistance
FFKM is broadly resistant to an exceptionally broad range of chemicals, including strong inorganic acids and alkalis, ketones, esters, alcohols, fuels, hot water, and many organic solvents.
This resistance makes FFKM indispensable for use in highly aggressive chemical environments, where ordinary elastomers might swell, degrade, or fail.
High Thermal Stability
Many FFKM compounds perform reliably across a wide temperature range — from sub-zero (e.g. –40 °C) up to +230 °C continuous use, with many grades offering peak-temperature capabilities of +260 °C and beyond. Some specialised grades can even withstand sustained service at temperatures approaching +300 °C or more.
This makes FFKM ideal for applications involving high heat, thermal cycling, steam, or other demanding thermal conditions.
Mechanical Reliability & Elastomeric Behaviour
Unlike rigid PTFE seals, FFKM parts retain the flexibility, resilience, and sealing comfort of traditional elastomers. That means they can deform to seal gaps, absorb vibration or movement, and maintain sealing integrity under pressure or mechanical stress.
Additionally, FFKM exhibits better resistance to “cold flow” (creep under pressure over time) than PTFE, giving longer, more reliable service life.
Purity, Cleanliness & Compatibility for Critical Environments
Because of their chemical makeup and low outgassing/contamination characteristics, FFKM seals are often selected for high‑purity, high‑cleanliness or vacuum-critical applications — for example in semiconductor manufacturing or analytical instruments.
Many FFKM grades are available with regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, USP Class VI, CE) — making them suitable for food, pharmaceutical, or other hygiene-sensitive processes.
Typical Applications & Industries
Because of its unique properties, FFKM finds use in sectors and situations where reliability under extreme chemical or thermal stress is non-negotiable. Common application areas include:
- Chemical processing & petrochemical — valves, pumps, reactors handling aggressive acids, solvents, corrosive fluids.
- Oil & gas (including down‑hole, drilling, pipelines) — environments with high pressures, variable temperatures, potentially harsh fluids.
- Semiconductor manufacturing & vacuum systems — vacuum chambers, chemical delivery systems, where low particle generation, chemical resistance, and high‑temperature bakeouts are essential.
- Aerospace & high‑temperature engineering — engine seals, hydraulic systems, fuel systems, where high temperature stability plus reliability under stress are critical.
- Pharmaceutical, food processing & hygienic applications — seals, gaskets, CIP/SIP systems operating in contact with cleaning agents, steam or sanitising chemicals; compliance with food/pharma standards may be required.
- Paints, coatings, and surface‑treatment environments — due to resistance to solvents, solvents-laden atmospheres, aggressive chemicals, and elevated temperatures.
In short: whenever a sealing application will face extreme chemistry, heat, or cleanliness demands — FFKM is often the material of choice.
The wide range of grades — from general‑purpose to high‑purity semiconductor or oil‑field‑specific — demonstrates how versatile FFKM can be, allowing engineers to choose a formulation that exactly matches their application’s needs.
When and Why to Choose FFKM — Guidance for Engineers & Specifiers
Use FFKM when your application:
- Involves highly aggressive chemicals, acids, solvents, fuels, hot water/steam or corrosive media — where standard rubbers (NBR, EPDM, FKM) would degrade or swell.
- Exposes seals to wide or extreme temperature ranges — especially high continuous or peak temperatures, thermal cycling, or steam/heat cleaning (e.g. CIP/SIP in pharma/food sectors).
- Demands long service life, minimal maintenance, and reliable sealing over long durations under harsh conditions.
- Requires high purity, low contamination, low outgassing, or regulatory compliance — for vacuum systems, semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical or food processing.
- Needs flexibility and sealing resilience — where rigid PTFE seals are impractical because of mechanical stress, dynamic movement, vibration, or the need for compression-based sealing.
At the same time, always evaluate:
- Chemical compatibility carefully — some exotic or fluorinated solvents, or alkali metals, may still attack FFKM.
- Thermal expansion and design constraints — ensure gland/seal housings allow for FFKM’s higher expansion.
- Cost vs benefit — because FFKM is comparatively expensive, it is often justified only in situations where the enhanced performance (chemical, thermal, longevity) outweighs the extra cost.
Summary
FFKM perfluoroelastomer represents a “top‑end” sealing material: combining exceptional chemical resistance, broad temperature capability, elastomeric sealing behavior, and purity — attributes that make it indispensable in demanding industries such as chemical processing, oil & gas, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and pharmaceutical/food processing. When properly specified (appropriate grade, gland design, chemical compatibility), FFKM O‑rings and seals deliver reliable long‑term performance where conventional materials would fail.
Because of its wide range of specialised grades, FFKM remains the go‑to material when seal failure is not an option — especially in high‑temperature, chemically aggressive, or purity‑critical environments.
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Withstanding degradation by virtually ALL chemicals, Perfluoroelastomer can swell significantly when exposed to some fluorinated solvents, fully halogenated freons and uranium hexafluoride. In addition, FFKM parts should not be exposed to molten or gaseous alkali metals. As the thermal coefficient of expansion for FFKM is stated by the manufacturer to be “about 50% greater than for fluoroelastomers”, gland volume may have to be increased to allow for this expansion in elevated temperature situations. Because of its high cost, FFKM is generally used when no other elastomer is appropriate.
We have listed our downloadable Perfluoroelastomer / FFKM material data sheets, all are widely used in the market.
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.
Key Information FFKM
| ES REF | COLOUR | TEMP RANGE | HARDNESS | NOTES | DATA SHEET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFKM 3152 | BLACK | -30°C to +230°C | 75 | Broad chemical resistance. Used as a standard compound in a variety of applications. This compound meets the FDA requirements according to CFR 177.2600 in regard to global migration. Low temperature flexibility. | |
| FFKM3153 | WHITE | -30°C to +230°C | 75 | Broad chemical resistance. Used as a standard compound in a variety of applications. This compound meet the FDA requirements according to CFR 177.2600 in regard to global migration. Low temperature flexibility. | |
| FFKM3106 | BLACK | -40°C to + 230°C continuous (+260°C Peak) | 75 | High chemical resistance, in particular to oilfield fluid. Good sealing performance when operating conditions change during the process lifetime. Very low temperature capability. | |
| FFKM3109 | BLACK | -40°C to + 230°C continuous (+260°C Peak) | 90 | Developed for Oil and Gas Industries. High chemical resistance. Very low temperature capability. | |
| FFKM3111 | BLACK | -45°C to + 250°C continuous | 90 | High chemical resistance and low temperature capability. Developed for the Oil & gas Industry. Explosive decompression resistant, tested to Norsok M-710. | |
| FFKM3202 FDA 3A | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (+260°C Peak) | 75 | An upper chemical resistant material, developed for very demanding sealing applications. Hot amines and steam resistant. | |
| FFKM3205 FDA 3A | IVORY | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 75 | Very high chemical resistance and developed for very demanding sealing applications. Resistant to hot amines. |
|
| FFKM3208 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 90 | High chemical resistance; Developed for the Oil & gas Industry. Explosive decompression resistant (Norsok M-710 Annex B approved). | |
| FFKM3304 | BEIGE TRANSLUCENT | -5°C to +300°C continuous (+320°C Peak) | 75 | Developed for Semicon Industry and suitable for dry and wet applications. This is a high purity compound without filler. Outstanding resistance to aggressive chemicals and high temperature conditions. | |
| FFKM3351 FDA EC1935/2004 | BLACK | -10°C to +230°C | 75 | Used as a standard compound in a variety of applications. Meeets the extractive requirements of: FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 & 177.2400, EC1935/2004 & USP CLASS VI & ADI FREE |
|
| FFKM3352 FDA EC1935/2004 | WHITE | -10°C to +230°C | 75 | Meets the extractive requirements of: FDA 21CFR177.2600 & 177.2400. EC 1935/2004 (UE N°10/2011 regulation) | |
| FFKM3401 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C | 70 | For General use with outstanding resistance to aggressive media | |
| FFKM3403 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 80 | For general use with outstanding resistance to aggressive media. | |
| FFKM3404 | WHITE | -10°C to +230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 70 | Outstanding resistance to aggressive media. Developed for food and pharmaceutical processing, automated CIP and SIP systems. In accordance with USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and CE 1935/2004 requirements. |
|
| FFKM3406 | WHITE | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 80 | Developed for food and pharmaceutical processing, automated CIP and SIP systems. In accordance with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements. |
|
| FFKM3416 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 90 | For General use with outstanding resistance to aggressive media. | |
| FFKM3418 FDA 3A | WHITE | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 60 | General use – with high chemical resistance. | |
| FFKM3421 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 80 | Developed for food and pharmaceutical processing, automated CIP and SIP systems and is FDA compliant to 21 CFR 177.2600. Offers outstanding resistance to aggressive media. |
|
| FFKM3428 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 75 | High chemical resistance, particularly in hydrofluoric acid (HF). Optimum performance in photovoltaic (PV) processing environments. Low particle generation. | |
| FFKM3502 | TRANSLUCENT BROWN | -20°C to +275°C continuous use ( 290°C Peak) | 65 | Developed for Semicon, dry and wet applications, this is a high purity compound without filler. Outstanding resistance to aggressive chemicals and high temperature conditions. | |
| FFKM3503 | TRANSLUCENT BROWN | -10°C to + 275°C continuous (+290°C Peak) | 75 | Suitable for all semiconductor industry processes. Good mechanical properties and high purity. Extremely low outgassing properties. | |
| FFKM3525 | BLACK | -10°C to + 230°C continuous (260°C Peak) | 60 | For General use offering Universal Chemical Resistance | |
| FFKM3526 | BLACK | -5°C to +230°C continuous (+260°C Peak) | 75 | Outstanding resistance to aggressive media. Optimised formulation for the largest range of applications. | |
| FFKM3527 FDA | BLACK | -5°C to + 275°C (continuous operating temperature) | 75 | Designed for mid – high temperature chemical resistant applications. Excellent compression set and long term performance. In compliance with FDA and certified as USP class VI for pharmaceutical industry. |
|
| FFKM3703 | WHITE | – 10°C to + 230°C continuous (+ 260°C Peak) | 70 | Specific compound for Quad Ring / X Rings. Developed for food and pharmaceutical processing, automated CIP and SIP systems. In accordance with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements. | |
| FFKM3704 | BLACK | -10°C to + 300°C continuous (+330°C Peak) | 75 | This compound is recommended for General use for high temperatures. It has broad chemical resistance and excellent steam resistance. | |
| FFKM3706 | WHITE | -5°C to + 300°C continuous (+320°C Peak) | 60 | Low sealing force applications in semiconductor thermal processes. Low outgassing properties at elevated temperatures. | |
| FFKM3707 | BLACK | -10°C to +300°C continuous use ( 330°C Peak) | 70 | This compound is recommended for General use for high temperatures. It has broad chemical resistance and excellent steam resistance. | |
| FFKM3713 FDA USP CLASS VI | WHITE | -5°C to + 300°C (+330°C/1000 hours) | 70 | For high upper temperatures with broad chemical resistance. Developed for food and pharmaceutical processing, Automated CIP and SIP systems in accordance with USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements. |
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| FFKM3716 | BLACK | -10°C to + 300°C continuous (+330°C Peak) | 90 | Outstanding at high temperatures, use with aggressive chemicals, steam resistance and low compression set at high temperatures. | |
| FFKM3723 | LIGHT GREY | -10°C to + 300°C continuous ( +330°C Peak) | 80 | For high upper temperatures with broad chemical resistance. Developed for various semiconductor processes, very low extractable metal ions. | |
| FFKM8482AED | BLACK | -40°C to +230°C | 90 | Offers excellent chemical resistance and outstanding performance at low temperature. This compound is ideal for use in oil & gas field, where resistance to explosive decompression is essential. |
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