Flat Gasket FKM Viton for Hydraulic Applications

Viton is a registered trademark of Chemours (formerly DuPont) for their line of fluoroelastomers, while FKM is the ISO designation for the broader fluoroelastomer polymer family. All Viton products are FKM, but not all FKM compounds are Viton-branded. In practical sealing applications, the terms are used interchangeably, and both refer to the same high-performance fluoroelastomer material class.

FKM stands for Fluoroelastomer Rubber, derived from the German polymer nomenclature where 'F' denotes fluorine, 'K' refers to rubber (Kautschuk in German), and 'M' indicates a saturated carbon backbone. It is classified under ASTM D1418 and ISO 1629 standards. FKM compounds contain a high fluorine content that provides exceptional chemical inertness and thermal stability up to 200°C and beyond.

FKM Viton flat gaskets are rated for standard operating temperatures from -26°C up to 125°C in typical hydraulic service, with specialized formulations capable of withstanding continuous exposure up to 200°C. This wide thermal range makes them suitable for high-pressure hydraulic circuits, mobile equipment, and industrial machinery where heat generation is a concern.

Yes. Detroit Sealing Components offers fully custom-engineered FKM Viton flat gaskets developed to precise dimensional and hardness requirements. Using computer-aided design and finite element analysis, DSC's engineering team can create gaskets ranging from 10mm to 320mm with Shore A hardness levels between 55 and 90, accommodating virtually any hydraulic flange, valve, or manifold geometry.

FKM Viton gaskets are compatible with a broad range of hydraulic fluids including petroleum-based mineral oils, synthetic ester-based fluids, phosphate ester fluids, and many aggressive chemicals encountered in industrial and mobile hydraulic systems. They are also resistant to aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, making them a reliable choice where fluid compatibility is a critical design parameter.

Detroit Sealing Components manufactures FKM flat gaskets using compression molding, transfer molding, and injection molding processes. These methods ensure consistent dimensional accuracy, optimal material density, and strong bonding integrity — particularly important for metal-bonded rubber seal configurations. All compounds are verified through the company's ISO 17025 accredited in-house laboratory for quality assurance.