Chemraz® FFKM O-Rings & Seals

M&P Sealing supplies Chemraz® FFKM O-rings and seals for demanding applications involving aggressive chemicals, high temperatures and challenging process conditions. Manufactured by Greene Tweed, Chemraz® is a high-performance perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) sealing material designed for applications where conventional elastomers such as FKM may not provide sufficient chemical or thermal resistance.

Our team can help you identify the appropriate Chemraz® compound, O-ring or sealing solution based on your operating temperature, chemical exposure, pressure and application requirements. Chemraz® materials are available for applications across chemical processing, oil and gas, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, aerospace, energy and general industrial equipment.

Need help selecting a Chemraz® material? Contact M&P Sealing to discuss your application or request a quote.

What Is Chemraz® FFKM?

Chemraz® is Greene Tweed’s family of high-performance FFKM (perfluoroelastomer) sealing materials engineered for extreme chemical and temperature environments. FFKM combines the elastic sealing characteristics of an elastomer with exceptional resistance to a broad range of chemicals.

Compared with standard FKM materials, FFKM contains a higher level of fluorination, which contributes to its improved chemical resistance and high-temperature performance. Certain FFKM materials can withstand temperatures up to approximately 325°C (617°F), although actual temperature limits vary by Chemraz® compound and application.

Chemraz® FFKM seals are used when conventional elastomers may swell, degrade, harden or lose sealing performance after exposure to aggressive process media or elevated temperatures.

Common Chemraz® applications include:

• O-rings and static seals
• Mechanical seals
• Pumps and valves
• Reactors and mixers
• Compressors
• Sampling and metering equipment
• Instrumentation
• Chemical processing equipment
• Semiconductor processing equipment
• Oil and gas equipment
• Pharmaceutical processing equipment

Because different Chemraz® compounds are formulated for different operating conditions, material selection should consider the specific chemical media, temperature, pressure and sealing application.

Where Are Chemraz® Seals Used?

Then cards or columns for:

Chemical Processing
Pumps, valves, reactors, mixers, mechanical seals and equipment exposed to aggressive process chemicals.

Oil & Gas
Sealing applications involving hydrocarbons, gases, drilling fluids, elevated pressure and demanding operating environments.

Semiconductor
High-purity and process-critical sealing applications involving aggressive chemicals, plasma and elevated temperatures.

Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences
Process equipment requiring high-performance elastomer sealing and resistance to challenging process media.

Industrial Equipment
Mechanical seals, pumps, instrumentation, compressors, valves and other equipment operating under severe chemical or thermal conditions.

Chemraz® vs. Kalrez® vs. FKM: What’s the Difference?

Chemraz® and Kalrez® are both FFKM sealing materials, while FKM is a different class of fluoroelastomer.
The best material depends on the specific chemical exposure, operating temperature, pressure, equipment and seal requirements.
M&P Sealing can help evaluate your operating conditions and identify an appropriate sealing material for your application.

FFKM Material

When it comes to sealing technology, M&P Sealing provides a range of efficient sealing solutions. Our latest addition provides exceptional resistance for FFKM materials to chemical attack, high temperatures, and abrasion. Our Chemraz® O-rings are perfect for use in harsh environments where conventional seals will fail to perform.

Also known as perfluoroelastomer FFKM O-rings, these products are a popular choice among our customers, offering excellent resistance capabilities for their equipment. They are widely utilized in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing industries, among many others.

Our experts at M&P Sealing can help you select the right perfluoroelastomer FFKM sealing solution, ensuring optimal performance in your applications. With our years of experience, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to quality, we deliver reliable and efficient sealing solutions to meet the needs of customers in Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

Material Description

FFKM material, or perfluoroelastomer, contains higher amounts of fluorine than standard FKM and features higher temperature ratings, up to approximately 325°C (617°F). FFKM also has improved chemical resistance with nearly universal chemical compatibility. This combination of high-performance capabilities makes FFKM seals the premium choice for the most challenging applications.

The first commercially available FFKM seal was produced in the late 1960s. However, widespread manufacturing of FFKM materials did not occur until the late 1980s due to patent restrictions.

FFKM is used in o-rings and seals in environments with high temperatures and/or harsh chemicals in the aerospace, semiconductor, energy, pharmaceutical, and industrial industries.

Greene Tweed’s Chemraz^® is the ultimate elastomeric FFKM material. Chemraz^® is a polymer of three or more monomers in which all hydrogen positions have been replaced with fluorine. It has the broadest chemical resistance of any elastomeric material.

Chemraz® FFKM Grades & Compounds

Chemraz® is available in multiple FFKM compounds formulated for different chemical, temperature and application requirements. Explore the Chemraz® grades below for typical industries, applications, temperature ranges and chemical compatibility. For assistance comparing Chemraz® compounds, contact M&P Sealing with your application requirements.

Why Buy Chemraz® From M&P?

Selecting an FFKM material involves more than choosing the highest temperature rating. Chemical media, concentration, operating temperature, pressure, seal geometry and equipment conditions can all affect seal performance.

M&P Sealing helps industrial customers evaluate their sealing requirements and identify Chemraz® materials suited to their applications. Whether you are replacing an existing Chemraz® O-ring, evaluating an alternative FFKM compound or troubleshooting premature seal failure, our team can help you determine the next step.

How to Select the Right Chemraz® Grade?

Selecting the right Chemraz® FFKM material depends on the operating conditions of your specific application. Chemraz® compounds are formulated for different combinations of chemical exposure, temperature and sealing requirements, so there is no single grade that is ideal for every environment.

When evaluating a Chemraz® seal or O-ring, consider:

• Chemical Exposure: Identify all process chemicals, fluids, gases and cleaning agents that may contact the seal.
• Operating Temperature: Consider both normal operating temperatures and potential temperature extremes.
• Pressure: Evaluate system pressure as well as pressure fluctuations that may affect sealing performance.
• Seal Application: Determine whether the seal will be used in a static or dynamic application and identify the equipment involved.
• Process Conditions: Steam, vacuum, aggressive cleaning cycles and other operating conditions may influence material selection.
• Existing Seal Performance: If an existing O-ring or seal is experiencing swelling, hardening, cracking or premature failure, those conditions can help determine whether a different FFKM compound may be appropriate.

When Should You Consider an FFKM Seal?

Standard elastomers such as FKM, EPDM and nitrile perform well in many industrial sealing applications, but severe operating conditions may require the additional chemical and thermal resistance of an FFKM material such as Chemraz®.

An FFKM seal may be worth considering when:

• Conventional elastomer seals experience premature failure
• O-rings swell, harden, crack or lose elasticity after chemical exposure
• Equipment operates at elevated or fluctuating temperatures
• Seals are exposed to aggressive chemicals or multiple process fluids
• Frequent seal replacement is contributing to equipment downtime
• The application requires broad chemical resistance from a single sealing material
• Seal reliability is particularly important to process performance

Chemraz® FFKM O-rings and seals are designed for challenging environments where chemical exposure, temperature or process conditions can exceed the capabilities of conventional elastomers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chemraz®