| Material | Primary fluorinated rubber type | FKM, also known as fluoroelastomer, is widely used for resistance to fuels, oils, mineral-based hydraulic fluids, and many high-temperature applications. | Confirm the polymer family, fluorine content, cure system, and application temperature range in the technical data sheet. |
| Material | Specialty grades | Low-Temperature FKM, peroxide-cured FKM, FEPM, and FFKM may be selected when standard FKM does not meet temperature, chemical, steam, or plasma requirements. | Request media-compatibility data for the exact fluid, concentration, pressure, temperature, and exposure duration. |
| Quality Standard | Rubber material classification | ASTM D2000 provides a system for classifying rubber products by type, class, hardness, and specified test requirements. | Check that the quotation and test report identify the applicable ASTM D2000 line callout where required. |
| Quality Standard | Dimensional tolerances | ISO 3302-1 defines dimensional tolerance classes for molded and extruded rubber products, including general-purpose tolerance grades. | Agree on the tolerance class, critical dimensions, measurement method, and inspection sampling plan before production. |
| Quality Standard | O-ring requirements | ISO 3601 is commonly used for O-ring dimensions, designation, quality acceptance, and inspection requirements. | Specify the standard size, cross-section, inside diameter, hardness, visual acceptance criteria, and permissible flash. |
| Testing | Hardness | Shore A hardness is commonly reported for FKM molded parts, with the selected value depending on sealing load, extrusion risk, and system design. | Define the target hardness and tolerance, test standard, conditioning period, and measurement location. |
| Testing | Tensile and elongation properties | Tensile strength and elongation at break are normally evaluated using standardized rubber test methods such as ASTM D412 or ISO 37. | Compare batch test results with the approved compound specification rather than relying only on nominal values. |
| Testing | Compression set | Compression set indicates the ability of an elastomer to recover after prolonged compression and is important for static sealing performance. | Specify test temperature, duration, specimen geometry, and acceptance limit because results vary significantly with test conditions. |
| Customization | Part design | Custom parts may include O-rings, oil seals, gaskets, diaphragms, valve components, molded profiles, and extruded cords. | Submit a dimensioned drawing or 3D model showing sealing surfaces, grooves, parting lines, tolerances, and critical features. |
| Customization | Compound formulation | Compound selection can be adjusted for chemical resistance, low-temperature flexibility, compression set, friction, color, electrical properties, or processing requirements. | Use a signed material specification covering polymer type, filler system, cure system, hardness, and restricted substances. |
| Customization | Color and identification | Fluoroelastomer parts can be produced in different colors when the formulation and application permit; color should not replace material traceability. | Define color tolerance, marking method, packaging labels, lot number, production date, and material batch traceability. |
| Application | Temperature capability | Standard FKM is generally selected for high-temperature service, while the actual continuous-use limit depends on compound, stress, environment, and exposure time. | Validate the compound using application-specific aging tests instead of using a single generic temperature figure. |
| Application | Chemical compatibility | FKM generally performs well with many hydrocarbons and mineral oils but may be unsuitable for some hot water, steam, amine, ketone, or strong-base environments. | Require immersion results covering volume change, hardness change, tensile retention, and appearance after exposure. |
| Compliance | Food-contact suitability | Food-contact compliance is application- and formulation-specific; applicable requirements may include FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 or relevant regional food-contact legislation. | Request a supplier declaration, formulation status, migration documentation, and test reports for the intended food-contact conditions. |
| Compliance | Restricted substances | Export buyers may request declarations related to REACH, RoHS, conflict minerals, PFAS restrictions, or other substance-control requirements. | Identify the destination-market requirements and obtain current declarations for the exact compound and article. |
| Export | Commercial documentation | Typical export documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, and, when requested, certificate of origin and inspection or test documentation. | Confirm the required documents, consignee details, product description, tariff classification, quantity, and declared value before shipment. |
| Export | Incoterms and logistics | The selected Incoterms rule defines responsibilities for transport, insurance, export clearance, import clearance, and transfer of risk. | State the Incoterms edition and named place in the purchase contract, and separately confirm lead time and freight arrangements. |
| Export | Packaging and storage | Rubber products should be protected from excessive heat, ozone, direct sunlight, contamination, deformation, and incompatible chemicals during storage and transport. | Specify packaging quantity, moisture and dust protection, pallet requirements, shelf-life labeling, and storage instructions. |
| Supplier Evaluation | Quality management | An ISO 9001-certified quality management system can support controlled processes, corrective actions, document control, and traceability, but certification alone does not guarantee product suitability. | Review the certificate scope, process controls, inspection records, calibration status, and nonconformance-management procedure. |
| Supplier Evaluation | Pre-shipment inspection | A practical inspection plan may include appearance, dimensions, hardness, packaging, quantity, material identification, and selected physical-property tests. | Approve an inspection and test plan with sampling levels, acceptance criteria, reporting format, and corrective-action deadlines. |