Fluorosilicone Seals

As a hybrid of silicone and fluoroelastomer (FKM), fluorosilicone seals are a type of elastomeric seal known for excellent chemical resistance, particularly to fuels, oils, and other hydrocarbons. This makes them well-suited for a wide range of demanding applications across industries.

Micro mouldings - Fluorosilicone Interfacial Seals for electronics and instruments - DP Seals
Interfacial seals manufactured in fluorosilicone for high-density PCB connectors used in communications for marine and aerospace applications.

Advantages of Fluorosilicone Seals

  • Excellent chemical resistance: They are resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including fuels, oils, hydrocarbons, solvents, acids, and bases. This makes them ideal for applications where exposure to harsh chemicals is a concern.
  • High temperature resistance: They can withstand continuous operating temperatures of up to 200°C (392°F), with short-term excursions up to 250°C (482°F). This makes them suitable for applications where high temperatures are present.
  • Good low temperature performance: They retain their flexibility and sealing performance at low temperatures, down to -50°C (-58°F). This makes them suitable for applications where cold temperatures are present.
  • Excellent weathering resistance: They are resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and other atmospheric effects. This makes them ideal for outdoor applications.
  • Good mechanical properties: They have good tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation. This makes them durable and resistant to wear and tear.

Disadvantages of Fluorosilicone Seals

  • High cost: They are typically more expensive than other types of elastomeric seals.
  • Limited physical properties: They have lower tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation than other types of elastomeric seals. This makes them less suitable for dynamic sealing applications.
  • Poor gas permeability: They have poor gas permeability, which can make them unsuitable for applications where gas containment is critical.

Fluorosilicone Applications

Aerospace

Typical aerospace applications include:

  • Aircraft engines: to seal fuel and oil systems, hydraulic systems, and other critical components.
  • Fuel systems: to seal fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fuel pumps.
  • Hydraulic systems: to seal hydraulic lines, actuators, and other components.
  • Other critical components: such as landing gear, brakes, and flight control systems.

Energy

Typical energy industry applications include:

  • Oil and gas production: to seal wells, pipelines, and processing equipment.
  • Power generation: to seal turbines, generators, and other critical components.

Food and Beverage

Typical food and beverage industry applications include:

  • Food processing equipment: to seal mixers, conveyors, and other components.
  • Packaging machinery: to seal food containers and wrappers.

Instrumentation and Electronics

Typical instrumentation and electronics industry applications include:

  • Electronic components: to seal connectors, sensors, and other components.
  • Electronic assemblies: to seal circuit boards and other components.

Medical

Typical medical device industry applications include:

  • Medical devices: such as dialysis machines and surgical instruments.

Motorsport

Typical motorsport applications include:

  • Engines: to seal fuel and oil systems, coolant systems, and other critical components.
  • Other critical components: such as transmissions, brakes, and suspension systems.

Specialist Automotive

Typical specialist automotive applications include:

  • High-performance vehicles: to seal engines, fuel and oil systems, and other critical components.
  • Off-road vehicles: such as SUVs and ATVs, to seal engines, transmissions, and other critical components.

Subsea Oil and Gas

Typical subsea oil and gas industry applications include:

  • Subsea production equipment: to seal wells, pipelines, and processing equipment.
  • Subsea control systems: to seal sensors, actuators, and other critical components.

How to Choose the Right Fluorosilicone Seals for Your Needs

When choosing fluorosilicone seals for your application, it is important to consider the following factors:

  • Chemical resistance: What chemicals will the seals be exposed to?
  • Temperature range: What temperature range will the seals be exposed to?
  • Pressure range: What pressure range will the seals be exposed to?
  • Dynamic or static sealing: Will the seals be used in a dynamic or static sealing application?
  • Gas permeability: Is gas containment critical for the application?

Fluorosilicone compounds

Fluorosilicone seals are available in a variety of compounds, each with its own unique properties. Some common fluorosilicone compounds include:

  • FVMQ-A: This compound is known for its excellent chemical resistance to fuels, oils, and hydrocarbons. It is also resistant to high temperatures and weathering.
  • FVMQ-B: This compound is similar to FVMQ-A, but it has better mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and tear strength.
  • FVMQ-C: This compound is known for its excellent low temperature performance. It can retain its flexibility and sealing performance at temperatures down to -60°C (-58°F).

When choosing a fluorosilicone seal for your application, it is important to consult with an experienced seal manufacturer to ensure that you select the appropriate compound for your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about our fluorosilicone seals and how they can meet your specific needs.

Why choose custom versus standard seals, gaskets or mouldings?

DP Seals manufacture custom parts only. If you are currently using standard parts, but have some level of dissatisfaction with results, read our article with nine great reasons to choose custom over standard solutions.

Rubber material expertise

The information provided here is only a guide to the primary characteristics and uses of Fluorosilicone. The relationship between material, product performance and blend options is complex.

At DP Seals we pride ourselves on being able to provide specialist advice in selecting and developing exactly the right blend of materials to meet a vast range of performance requirements.

We also maintain a large quantity and variety of quality raw materials in stock, enabling us to offer fast turnaround and provide for tight deadlines.

Below you’ll find many free resources to help you think about material selection and we are always on hand to discuss your requirements and provide expert advice.

Our most commonly used Fluorosilicone material

Free Resources

Customer testimonial

We were particularly impressed with DP Seals’ responsiveness, extensive materials knowledge, engineering expertise, and their competitive pricing. They also identified opportunities to simplify our custom moulding, making it easier to manufacture without compromising performance.  Stuart Robertson, Limpet Technology

Read other customer testimonials

Find out more

  • Speak to our Material Technologists on +44 (0)1202 674671