What is Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) Rubber?

Fluorosilicone (FVMQ, FSR) Rubber, also called FVMQ or Fluorosilicone elastomer, same as fluoro liquid silicone rubber & FLSR, is a variation of silicone which is noted for greater resistance and chemical compatibility properties like good mechanical properties and resistance to organic solvents, petroleum based fluid, oil, acid, and alkaline chemical. These unique properties make it is ideal for o-ring, gasket seal, membrane valve in medical device, aerospace, automotive industries application.

Fluorosilicone Rubber Data Sheet (FVMQ materials Test Report)

Wacker Fluorosilicone FVMQ R901 Data Sheet.pdf

Dow Corning Fluorosilicone FSR Data Sheet.pdf

Fluoro Liquid Silicone Rubber (F-LSR) Data Sheet.pdf

Fluorosilicone FVMQ Rubber Properties & Chemical Compatibility

Is fluorosilicone toxic? Is fluorosilicone fungus resistance? These are common questions about the material. Let's know more about it. 

Fluorosilicone rubber temperature range: -68-230℃

Fluorosilicone rubber density: About 1.2-1.45 g/cm³

Fluorosilicone elastomer hardness: 30-80 Shore A

Fluorosilicone rubber price: With excellent profermance, the unit price of fluorinated silicone rubber is five times or more than silicone.

Fluorosilicone VS. Silicone

What is the difference between silicone and fluorosilicone? FVMQ rubber share many similarities with silicone. It maintains almost all the features of VMQ.

Fluorosilicone rubber distinguishes itself from silicone because of its additional beneficial properties similarly to fluoro elastomer (FKM, FPM, Viton). FVMQ’s capacity to oil resistance, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, and good oil resistance and solvent resistance are greater. But fluorosilicone has lower air resistance than ordinary silicone. 

Fluorosilicone VS. Viton (FKM, FPM, Fluorocarbon Rubber)

Is Viton a fluorosilicone? FVMQ maintains some advantages of FKM. Viton is actually a brand name coined by DuPont for fluoroelastomer (FKM). Fluorosilicone has an advantage in lower temperatures while FKM has an advantage in higher temperatures. With respect to compression set resistence, wear resistance, Viton has a significant advantage. Generally, fluorosilicone only be reserved for static sealing applications. If a material capable of both static and dynamic sealing required, FKM is a good choice. FFKM o-rings, seal and gasket have a high thermal and chemical resistance which makes them ideal for chemical applications. 

Fluorosilicone Rubber Advantage and Disadvantage

Fluorosilicone and Fluoro Liquid Silicone F-LSR Benefits:

• Resistance to degradation from fuels, solvents                                             

• Resistant to various chemicals like: diluted alkalies, aliphatic and aromatic fluorocarbons, toluene, benzene   

• Resistance to oil like diester oils silicone oil
  

• Resistant to fungus, ozone and oxidative environments

• Nontoxic and compatible with FDA or LFGB Regulation

• Good High & Low temperature environment resistant

  
  

Fluorosilicone and Fluoro Liquid Silicone F-LSR Disadvantage:

• Poor abrasion resistance

• Limited physical strength 

• Permeable to most vapours and gases

• Wear and degrade quickly in brake fluids, ketones, hydrazine, adelhydes, amines, ketones

FVMQ Rubber Material Color

Why blue is the common color for fluorosilicone elastomer? Actually fluorosilicone is in beige color if without any additive. But the fluorosilicone is typically blue in color for the identification between fluorosilicone from other elastomers. Black, blown and grey color are also common. Better silicone can custom made differnet colors for fluorosilicone material for your products.

Fluorosilicone Elastomer Classification

Solid Fluorosilicone Rubber (HCR)

Fluoro Liquid Silicone Rubber (F-LSR)

Conductive Fluorosilicone: Is fluorosilicone conductive? Yes. Here are three types conductive FVMQ. Conductive fluorosilicone filled with nickel plated graphite particle, conductive fluorosilicone filled with passivated silver plated aluminum particle, conductive fluorosilicone filled with silver plated aluminum particle.

What Is Fluorosilicone Rubber Used For?

Even prolonged immersion in harsh engine oils, transmission and power steering fluids, and all grades of gasoline and jet fuels causes only slight swelling and has little effect on properties for Fluorosilicone. 

Hence, fluorosilicone typical applications include: fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, seals, diaphragms, membranes, check valves, quick-connect fuel line seals and turbocharger hose liners in aerospace/aviation, automotive, chemical field. Additionly, some will choose FVMQ watchband, keypad.