Home > Viton® > Genuine Viton®

Understand the Problem

Bear in mind that not all FKMs are equivalent. As a person who is buying fluoroelastomer (FKM) seals you expect that these products will perform well in your demanding environment. But even if the seals you buy meet your current specification, you can greatly enhance their performance and dependability by selecting and specifying DuPont Performance Elastomers" Viton® seals and o-rings. They are made from a superior FKM material.

Make Detailed Specifications

Specifications that are insufficient or inaccurate open the door to quality and performance problems. However, a well-written specification that identifies the type of material and quantifies the critical performance parameters of the desired seals will communicate the most cost-effective FKM for your application. When you specify DuPont Performance Elastomers' Viton® you can enhance your products' performance by ordering the specific type of Viton® that has been tailored for your application needs.

These types or "families" of DuPont Performance Elastomers' Viton® enable you to select the most cost-effective elastomer. Each family affords a tailored balance of mechanical properties, as well as specific resistance to various types of process fluids.

Insist On the Best

Viton® was introduced in 1958 and scientists and engineers have relied first on DuPont Viton®, then DuPont Dow Elastomers Viton®, and now DuPont Performance Elastomers Viton® for its superior performance and unique properties ever since. However, DuPont Performance Elastomers is not the only company that manufactures FKM products. Many people in the industry incorrectly refer to any and all FKM elastomers as Viton®. As a result, you could end up with sealing products that are not the type of Viton® you need, let alone made of 100% virgin DuPont Performance Elastomers' Viton®. Products not made from DuPont Performance Elastomers' Viton® may fall short of the expected performance levels afforded by the stringent quality standards DuPont Performance Elastomers has set for Viton®, which is manufactured at ISO 9002 registered facilities worldwide.

Questions: How Do You Know You're Getting Parts Made With Genuine Viton® fluoroelastomer?

Q. Are all "Viton seals" really made from Viton® fluoroelastomers?

A. In a word, no. Only DuPont Performance Elastomers manufactures Viton® fluoroelastomer. Because Viton® is an established industry standard, many people incorrectly refer to any and all fluoroelastomers as Viton®. To ensure you're getting the highest quality fluoroelastomer available, insist on products made only with DuPont Performance Elastomers virgin Viton®.

Q. What is FKM?

A. FKM is the ASTM designation for the fluoroelastomer category. It is not a mark of quality. Not all FKMs are equivalent, and some may fall short on desired performance.

Q. What does the "Made With Genuine Viton®" seal mean?

A. It means the part has been manufactured and distributed in accordance with DuPont Performance Elastomers' guidelines. Only parts made with 100% virgin Viton® as the sole elastomeric component are labeled with this seal.

Q. Why does the seal matter?

A. It is your guarantee of product integrity. When you use products that carry this emblem, compliance to OSHA Mechanical Integrity Section 1910.119 is assured. It means that the parts offer the superior performance that only DuPont Performance Elastomers Viton® fluoroelastomer provides. Other fluoroelastomer parts may include blends and other rubbers that deliver inferior heat and fluid resistance performance.

Q. Who can use the label "Made With Genuine Viton®?"

A. Only manufacturers like us, PSP, who have signed a formal agreement with DuPont Performance Elastomers, can use this seal on their products. The manufacturers are selected carefully for their knowledge, their quality standards and for their ability to help you select the correct type of Viton® for your application. A well-written specification will communicate your needs to us. We have up-to-date information about the variety of Viton® performance types and we can make the most cost-effective recommendation for your Viton® seals.

Back to: Viton® O-rings and Seals Table of Contents

Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers

 

PSP Inc. at www.pspglobal.com
© 1997-2008, Problem Solving Products, Inc.
Submit Your Industrial Website
Site Map 1 | Site Map 2 | Site Map 3
Privacy Statement | Terms of Use