4 Advantages of Using Viton® Seals in the Medical Field
Viton® is an elastomer that is a registered trademark under the brand – Chemours Comp LLC. Also known as Fluorocarbon (FKM), it is perfectly suited for critical environments that are often seen in the medical industry.
This popular high-performance rubber displays great resistance to organic solvents, chemicals, mineral oil, oxygen, hydraulic fluids, fuels, ozone, high temperatures, and aromatics.
Due to these notable characteristics, Viton® seals are quite superior to other sealing materials, making them an ideal choice for advanced sealing solutions.
To gain a proper understanding of the advantages of Viton®, let us look at the benefits that Viton® sealings offer to the medical field.
- Withstands High Temperatures
Viton® is known for maintaining its mechanical properties, shape, and flexibility while offering excellent high-temperature resistance. Viton® seals are designed to withstand temperatures that range from -20° C to +200° C (+250° C), making them an important feature for medical applications.
Due to its high-temperature performance, Viton® is also resistant to degradation that comes with exposure to extreme temperature environments. This makes Viton® a sturdy sealing solution for long-term applications.
- Excellent Chemical Resistance
In the medical industry, o-rings and medical devices often seal against harsh chemicals that ultimately eat away at most rubber materials. Viton® offers excellent resistance to these chemicals, as well as other gases and solutions commonly used in medical applications. This allows Viton® seals to remain durable in critical sealing environments. Specifically, Viton® seals are known to protect against the following substances:
Viton® seals can offer protection against the following substances:
- Acids
- Oils
- Carbon dioxide
- Glucose
- Silicone fluids
These strong chemical resistance properties make Viton® a preferred choice for medical seals.
- Remains Strong Under Pressure
Viton® seals are designed to provide resistance to compression at temperatures that would make other materials brittle. This enables Viton® seals to have good performance under pressure, which is an important factor for medical applications. When under pressure, Viton® seals can also maintain their mechanical properties. Due to these reasons, Viton® is considered one of the most trusted sealing solutions that won’t crack when used for critical applications.
- Meets Strict FDA and Sanitary Standards
For rubber seals to be used for medical applications, they must meet stringent regulations such as:
- ISO 10993
- USP Class VI (USP part 8)
- Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP) Standards
- Clean Room Standards
Unlike other elastomers, Viton® meets all the above-mentioned specifications that are needed in the medical industry. Viton® medical seals also undergo quality tests, and to avoid contamination, they are packaged in a certified cleanroom.
Let us now look at the product comparison of various Viton® types.
Viton®™ Type | A | B | F | GF | GLT | GFLT | XLT | ULT | ETP | BRFKM |
Low-Temperature Performance (C°) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (225) | (232) |
High-Temperature Performance (C°) | (-26) | (-24) | (-17) | (-16) | (-40) | (-34) | (-48) | (-54) | (-21) | (-17) |
Aqueous Fluids, Steam, Mineral Acids | Not
Recommended |
Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Automotive Fuels Oxygenated with ETOH, MEOH, MTBE | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Resistance to Compression Set | Great | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Automotive and Most Aviation Fuels | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great |
We hope you have gained some valuable insights from this article. As you have learned, Viton® exhibits some phenomenal properties, making them perfect for medical applications. If you are looking to incorporate supreme quality Viton® seals for your medical applications, you can connect with our team at Harkesh for material options with specific temperature ranges.