FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PVDF (Kynar): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) vs PVDF (Kynar)
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.
PVDF (Kynar)
Polyvinylidene Fluoride — the melt-processable fluoropolymer. Bridges the gap between PTFE (non-melt-processable) and conventional plastics. Excellent chemical resistance to acids, solvents, and hydrocarbons. Uniquely piezoelectric among polymers. Much stronger than PTFE (UTS 50 vs 25 MPa). Trade names include Kynar (Arkema), Solef/Hylar (Solvay), KF (Kureha). Used for chemical piping/valves/tanks, lithium-ion battery binder, semiconductor wet bench, architectural coatings (Kynar 500), and piezoelectric sensors.
| FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PVDF (Kynar) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 37 | ISO 10350 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) | PVDF (Kynar) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 8–17 | 35–55 | MPa |
| elongation | 150–350 | 20–300 | % |
| hardness_shore_a | 60–90 | — | Shore A |
Compatibility Assessment
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PVDF (Kynar) 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 PVDF (Kynar)?
FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) and PVDF (Kynar) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) with PVDF (Kynar)?
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 PVDF (Kynar)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. FKM (Fluoroelastomer / Viton) is a Polymers grade, while PVDF (Kynar) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
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