{"id":694,"date":"2025-02-27T10:44:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T02:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hengoseal.com\/?p=694"},"modified":"2025-04-27T12:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T04:02:17","slug":"fluorocarbon-vs-fkm-seals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hengoseal.com\/uk\/fluorocarbon-vs-fkm-seals\/","title":{"rendered":"Fluorocarbon vs. FKM: What\u2019s the Difference & Which Seal Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing the right sealing material isn\u2019t just about temperature or pressure\u2014it\u2019s about long-term performance. Many users wonder: Are fluorocarbon O-rings and FKM seals really the same?<\/strong> Let\u2019s break it down clearly.<\/p>\n

\u0424\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0443\u0433\u043b\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0434<\/strong> \u0456 \u0423\u0449\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0456 \u043a\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0446\u044f FKM<\/strong> are closely related but not identical. Understanding the differences helps you avoid compatibility issues and optimize your sealing solution.<\/p>\n

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In this guide, I\u2019ll explain their differences, where to use each, and how to select the right one for your application.<\/p>\n

What Is the Difference Between Fluorocarbon O-Rings and FKM Seals?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve come across both terms in product catalogs, you might assume they\u2019re interchangeable\u2014but are they?<\/p>\n

FKM<\/strong> is the ASTM designation for a specific class of fluorocarbon elastomers. That means all FKM O-rings are fluorocarbon O-rings<\/strong>, \u0430\u043b\u0435 not all fluorocarbon O-rings are FKM<\/strong>. Some use alternative formulations like FEPM for more specialized conditions.<\/p>\n

\"placeholder_image\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u0412\u043b\u0430\u0441\u043d\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/th>\n\u0424\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0443\u0433\u043b\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0434\u043d\u0456 \u0443\u0449\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0456 \u043a\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0446\u044f<\/th>\nFKM O-Rings (ASTM)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Composition<\/td>\nFluorinated hydrocarbons<\/td>\nASTM D1418-defined FKM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Use Scope<\/td>\nIncludes FKM, FEPM, etc.<\/td>\nSpecific to FKM class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0413\u043d\u0443\u0447\u043a\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/td>\nHigh in custom variants<\/td>\nBalanced industrial-grade<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0412\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/td>\nSlightly higher for custom FEPM<\/td>\nMore economical for general use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Want to dive deeper into FKM performance? Check out our FKM Seals & O-Rings Full Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Do FKM and Fluorocarbon Seals Perform in Real Applications?<\/h2>\n

Knowing what they\u2019re made of is important\u2014but how do they perform<\/strong> in industrial use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u041e\u0441\u043e\u0431\u043b\u0438\u0432\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/th>\nFluorocarbon Seals<\/th>\n\u0423\u0449\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0456 \u043a\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0446\u044f FKM<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u0422\u0435\u0440\u043c\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0456\u0439\u043a\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/td>\n-20\u00b0C \u0434\u043e 250\u00b0C<\/td>\n-20\u00b0C \u0434\u043e 250\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oil & Fuel Resistance<\/td>\n\u0427\u0443\u0434\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/td>\n\u0427\u0443\u0434\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0425\u0456\u043c\u0456\u0447\u043d\u0430 \u0441\u0442\u0456\u0439\u043a\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/td>\nSuperior (especially FEPM)<\/td>\nVery good for hydrocarbons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u041a\u043e\u043c\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0441\u0456\u0439\u043d\u0438\u0439 \u043d\u0430\u0431\u0456\u0440<\/td>\nHigh retention<\/td>\nLong-lasting elasticity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Steam\/Water Resistance<\/td>\n\u041f\u043e\u043c\u0456\u0440\u043d\u0438\u0439<\/td>\n\u041f\u043e\u043c\u0456\u0440\u043d\u0438\u0439<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Both offer outstanding heat and chemical resistance, but fluorocarbon compounds like FEPM<\/strong> perform better in extreme chemical processing<\/strong> environments.<\/p>\n

Why Do So Many Industries Use Fluorocarbon & FKM Seals?<\/h2>\n

From aerospace to medical, fluorocarbon elastomers are everywhere. But how do industries decide which one to use?<\/p>\n

Key Industrial Applications of Fluorocarbon & FKM O-Rings<\/h3>\n

\"placeholder_image\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u041f\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0438\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0441\u0442\u044c<\/th>\nApplication Example<\/th>\nRecommended Seal Type<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u0410\u0432\u0442\u043e\u043c\u043e\u0431\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0438\u0439<\/td>\nFuel injector, turbo systems<\/td>\n\u0423\u0449\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0456 \u043a\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0446\u044f FKM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0410\u0435\u0440\u043e\u043a\u043e\u0441\u043c\u0456\u0447\u043d\u0430<\/td>\nJet engines, hydraulic actuators<\/td>\nFluorocarbon (FEPM)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u041d\u0430\u0444\u0442\u0430 \u0456 \u0433\u0430\u0437<\/td>\nDrilling seals, refineries<\/td>\nFluorocarbon (standard\/FEPM)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0407\u0436\u0430 \u0442\u0430 \u043d\u0430\u043f\u043e\u0457<\/td>\nSterilization lines (FDA-grade variants)<\/td>\n\u0424\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0443\u0433\u043b\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0434<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Industrial Pumps<\/td>\nValve and compressor sealing<\/td>\n\u0423\u0449\u0456\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0456 \u043a\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0446\u044f FKM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\ud83d\udc49 \u0414\u043e\u0441\u043b\u0456\u0434\u0456\u0442\u044c \u043d\u0430\u0448 O-Ring Cost & Performance Guide<\/a> to match material to your budget and environment.<\/p>\n

Which Should You Choose: Fluorocarbon or FKM?<\/h2>\n

Now that we know the differences, how do we choose practically?<\/p>\n

When Is Fluorocarbon Better Than FKM?<\/h3>\n

\u0412\u0438\u0431\u0435\u0440\u0456\u0442\u044c fluorocarbon (including FEPM)<\/strong> when:<\/p>\n