Used in some of the harshest environments, where temperature extremes and chemical interactions are common, Viton™ rubber is one of the most hard wearing fluoroelastomers in the world. It’s high performance and excellent durability make it a top choice for many specialist applications.

If you’re looking for an impressively versatile material for difficult applications, you might be wondering ‘what is Viton™ and how can it help my business?’. We’re pleased to enlighten you with our complete guide.

What is Viton™?

Viton™ is a fluoropolymer elastomer and synthetic rubber compound, trademarked by DuPont under this brand name. It’s a fluorinated hydrocarbon rubber product with amazing capabilities, developed to withstand even the most challenging of environments.

In much the same way as Hoover has become synonymous with vacuum cleaners, so Viton™ has become the standard name for this type of material. However, there are differences within the Viton™ family which will affect their suitability for your application.

The standard grade for Viton™ is A grade, which has 66 percent fluorine content and is most commonly used in o rings and seals. Viton™ B offers better fluid resistance and Viton™ F is particularly good for resistance to fuel permeation. High performance grades are also available but do discuss with us if you’re not sure what you need.

Why use Viton™?

A Viton™ o ring will tend to be significantly more expensive than the equivalent nitrile component. This is because it simply does the job where other products cannot. In comparison to nitrile, Viton™ has a larger operating temperature range, better resistance to degradation from exposure to weather and ozone and is more chemically resistant too.

Choosing a Viton™ o ring for the toughest jobs means it will last longer. This means that you can enjoy extended service intervals, reducing maintenance costs and providing a more reliable seal. There is far less likelihood of unscheduled down time due to o ring failure, so your investment in a Viton™ product will pay back through better operational efficiency.

What is Viton™ good for?

Viton™ seals are an ideal choice in any environment where there are challenging factors to contend with. For example:

• High temperatures: A Viton™ o ring will withstand temperatures from -20°C up to 210°C
• Chemicals: Viton™ can withstand a range of chemicals, including oils, acids, silicone fluids and gasses as well as halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons
• Environmental challenges: Viton™ can maintain a seal even in the presence of oxidation, UV exposure, weather, ozone, fungus and mould

So, what is Viton™ good for? Well, Viton™ is frequently used in appliance processing, automotive and chemical industries. We also supply Viton™ products to aerospace companies, oil and gas exploration industries and petroleum refining and transportation businesses.

Is Fluoroelastomer the same as Viton™?

When you’re thinking about what is Viton™ exactly, you can classify it as one of the many fluoroelastomers out there. It’s a trade name for a fluoroelastomers produced by DuPont, so yes, it is the same thing. Other brand names for fluoroelastomers include FKM and FPM.

What is the difference between Viton™ and EPDM?

The main difference between Viton™ and EPDM is the chemical resistance they exhibit. EPDM is a good product for use in steam environments and has a relatively good chemical resistance, but nowhere near as good as Viton™. EPDM should never be used with solvents or petroleum agents.

What is Viton™ seal?

A Viton™ seal is simply a seal manufactured from Viton™. These seals or gaskets are commonly used to seal leaks, valves, pumps and similar. Viton™ o rings are the most common type of seal, which we provide here at NES in a variety of sizes and profiles.

For more advice on Viton™ or any of our other products, get in touch with the experts at NES today.