FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PI (Polyimide): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PI (Polyimide)
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.
PI (Polyimide)
Polyimide — THE extreme-temperature polymer. Continuous use 250-300°C (short-term to 400°C+). Outstanding thermal stability, low outgassing, excellent radiation resistance, and self-lubricating. Available as film (Kapton, DuPont), parts (Vespel, DuPont), and moldable resin. Expensive but irreplaceable where no other polymer survives. Used for aerospace bearings/seals, semiconductor processing, flexible circuit boards (Kapton), jet engine components, and space applications.
| FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PI (Polyimide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ASTM D638 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PI (Polyimide) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 8–17 | 72–120 | MPa |
| elongation | 150–350 | 7–30 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 60–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PI (Polyimide) 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 PI (Polyimide)?
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PI (Polyimide) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) with PI (Polyimide)?
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 PI (Polyimide)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) is a Polymers grade, while PI (Polyimide) is a Polymers grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.