FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PPA (Polyphthalamide): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PPA (Polyphthalamide)
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.
PPA (Polyphthalamide)
Polyphthalamide — semi-aromatic high-performance polyamide. 55%+ aromatic diacid (TPA/IPA) gives Tg ~125°C and Tm >310°C — far above PA66 (Tg 50°C, Tm 260°C). Much lower moisture absorption than aliphatic PAs. SMT-reflow compatible (260°C+). Trade names: Amodel (Solvay/Syensqo), Zytel HTN (Celanese), Ultramid T (BASF), Grivory HT (EMS). Used for automotive powertrain (thermostat housings, charge air coolers), SMT connectors, LED headlamp housings, and metal-replacement applications to 280°C.
| FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PPA (Polyphthalamide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 527-1 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PPA (Polyphthalamide) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 8–17 | 80–95 | MPa |
| elongation | 150–350 | 10–30 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 60–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PPA (Polyphthalamide) 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 PPA (Polyphthalamide)?
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PPA (Polyphthalamide) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) with PPA (Polyphthalamide)?
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 PPA (Polyphthalamide)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) is a Polymers grade, while PPA (Polyphthalamide) 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.