DESCRIPTION

Fluoroelastomers are fluorinated synthetic polymers designed for harsh environments including aggressive chemical and high temperature applications. These materials are sometimes referred to as VITON®, a registered trademark of Dupont Performance Elastomers. Pinnacle is an official licensee within the “Genuine Viton” program. Other suppliers of fluoroelastomer polymer, Dyneon, Solvay, and Daikin are also used within Pinnacle.

Fluoroelastomer compounds are based on polymers that take advantage of the high strength of the fluorine to carbon bond, the absence of unsaturation and the high ratio of fluorine to hydrogen. Properly compounded fluoroelastomer compounds can perform in continuous useful performance up to 450 deg F with intermittent exposure up to 500 F.

The ASTM D2000 designation for fluoroelastomers is HK meaning the highest heat resistance and the lowest oil swell of available thermo set elastomers.

MATERIAL COSTS

Fluoroelastomer compounds function in applications where no other material can. They are sometimes referred to as the "material of last resort". Compounded material costs for fluoroelastomer can range from $10 per pound to thousands per pound for the more exotic grades. Such costs are considered minimal in applications as critical and costly as personal safety, aerospace, industrial, food service, environmental, and in automotive warranty issues.

PROCESSING

Fluoroelastomer rubber compounds process similar to and with the same equipment used in other typical rubber compounds. They are, however very sensitive to contamination from components of other rubber compounds particularly sulfur and other thio containing materials. In addition even small amounts of moisture can adversely affect the processing and the performance of rubber parts made from fluoroelastomer compounds.

Fluoroelastomer compounds can be designed to process in molding, extrusion, mandrel, calendered sheet and other processes normally used in rubber products. Compounding ingredients are selected to improve the processing, performance and appearance. These compounds traditionally use carbon black but can be compounded into any color needed.