Strong corrosive chemicals are common in your industry? What rubber material do you use for applications having such high exposure to chemicals?
Experts suggest that purchasers buy Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance.
Where most of the materials fail, wear out, and degrade, Viton rubber sheets remain stable and deliver consistent performance. They offer a long service life even in such conditions. However, before purchasing, you should make sure to read this blog to know more about them.
What is Viton (FKM) Rubber?
DuPont has trademarked this synthetic fluoroelastomer under the brand name of Viton. Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance are ideal for harsh environments with chemicals and extreme temperature exposure. Besides, they are also resistant to UV rays, ozone, and have high vacuum stability.
Why Viton Rubber Is Preferred in Aggressive Chemical Environments
Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance have fluorine atoms in the polymer chains. The percentage of fluorine atoms in the polymer chains is high. As it forms a strong bond, it does not readily break down with exposure to chemicals.
Having low permeability, Viton rubber sheets for aggressive chemicals do not allow the penetration of chemicals in such environments. As a result, they remain stable and do not degrade with exposure to strong chemicals.
Common Uses of Viton Rubber Sheets in Industries
Below are some of the important applications for Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance.
Chemical Processing Plants
Industrial buyers of chemical plants choose Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance. They are used as seals and liners. Viton rubber sheets chemical resistance prevents leakage and contamination even in such corrosive environments.
Aerospace Applications
Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance are used for fluid lines, engine systems, and high-altitude devices. They are suitable for these applications as they have remarkable chemical stability and thermal resistance.
Pharma and Biotech
FKM rubber sheets chemical resistance are used to make equipment for pharmaceutical and biotechnology. They are best-suited due to their chemical stability, heat resistance, and hygiene.
Others
A procurement manager also purchases Viton rubber sheets for applications including expansion joints, high-temperature gaskets, and seals for different industries.
What Plant Engineers Should Verify Before Selecting Viton Rubber Sheets
Before choosing Viton rubber sheets, you should make sure that you check these parameters for a smart purchase:
Chemical Compatibility with Process Fluids
There are specialized industrial applications that have exposure to different harsh chemicals. You should ensure that the Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance have resistance to those specific chemicals. Check our chemical compatibility calculator on our website to confirm.
Operating Temperature Range
Viton rubber sheets for chemical plants can endure temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to +300 degrees centigrade. You should make sure that your application temperature is within this range.
Hardness and Mechanical Requirements
Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance have a hardness value of 75 ± 5° Shore A, tensile strength of 8 MPa, and elongation at break of 200%. Your rubber sheet should be able to endure the physical stress of the industrial application.
Thickness and Sheet Dimensions
Check the thickness range, length, and width of the Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance. They should match the dimensions of your application. If required, you can also check if they provide a customization option.
Common Mistakes When Using Viton Rubber for Chemical Resistivity
Avoid making these mistakes while using rubber materials in environments where chemical exposure is common:
1️. Using general-purpose rubber instead of Viton: Instead of Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance, if you use general-purpose rubber, it will rapidly degrade and break down.
2️. Ignoring chemical compatibility charts: Most of the rubber materials might fail to endure the chemicals predominant in your industry. This causes them to wear out and be damaged.
3️. Selecting materials without temperature verification: Subjecting rubber materials to temperatures higher than their temperature limit & heat resistance will make them swell and degrade. Using them for lower temperatures than their rating will make them brittle and crack.
4️. Using inconsistent quality rubber sheets: During bulk supply, the consistency of quality can be compromised.
Choosing a Reliable Supplier for Viton Rubber Sheets
You should choose a supplier who ticks the following boxes:
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Positive reputation in the market
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Ready stock to enable bulk purchase
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Prompt shipping and delivery capability
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Good reviews on e-commerce and social media platforms
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Quality assurance with test certificates
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Warranty (refund or return policy)
Conclusion
Make sure to always go for Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance when it comes to industries where aggressive chemicals and extreme temperatures are common. They are used for extensive applications in refineries, chemical processing, and other industries.
However, their upfront costs may be higher than those of regular rubber materials. They have a long lifespan, require minimum maintenance costs, and are cost-effective in the long run with extraordinary performance. Reach out to us for quotes!
