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This product review on fluoroelastomers focuses on three major types of polymers—fluorocarbon
elastomers, fluorosilicone elastomers and perfluorocarbon elastomers.
Fluoroelastomers are fluorine-containing polymers noted for their exceptional
resistance to heat, weathering and a wide variety of fluids and chemicals as
well as for their excellent sealing and mechanical properties.They are used
in highly demanding applications where extreme temperature ranges and chemical
attack are encountered. The chief limitations on the use of fluoroelastomers
are cost and the relatively different technology of compounding and curing,
which may involve long postcures. The cured products generally have fairly
low-temperature flexibility and low resilience. Solvent resistance is generally
high; however, certain organic liquids can cause considerable swelling. In
addition, fluoroelastomers are very sensitive to moisture and require a strictly
controlled environment to process, thereby making the processing of fluoroelastomers
difficult. Hence, it is costly to compound these polymers.
The major global producers of fluorocarbon elastomers are DuPont, Dyneon,
Solvay Solexis and Daikin. Dow Corning, Shin-Etsu and GE Silicones are the
major producers of fluorosilicone rubber.
Perfluoroelastomers are high-performance elastomers with exceptional chemical
resistance properties and high-temperature stability. They can be used for
all applications where the properties of regular fluoroelastomers are not sufficient.
Perfluoroelastomers are usually copolymers made of tetrafluoroethylene and
perfluoromethylvinyl ether and are used mainly in high performance O-rings.
Global demand for fluoroelastomers in 2006 is estimated at 23 thousand metric
tons, with a market value estimated at about $1.3 billion. The United States,
Western Europe and Asia accounted for 99% of world consumption in 2006.
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