Aflas® (FEPM) Selection Guide
Selecting FEPM Seals for Steam, Amines, Bases, Oils, and Aggressive Process Environments
Aflas® is AGC's trade name for a family of fluoroelastomers that includes tetrafluoroethylene-propylene materials classified as FEPM under ASTM D1418. FEPM differs chemically and functionally from conventional FKM fluoroelastomers. One of its most important distinctions is its resistance to environments involving bases, amines, hot water, and steam, areas where conventional FKM materials can be limited. AGC specifically identifies TFE-propylene FEPM as having strong resistance to bases and hot steam, along with good electrical resistivity. Parker likewise identifies FEPM as a TFE-propylene copolymer suitable for bases, phosphate esters, amines, engine oils, steam, and hot water.
Canyon Components supplies Aflas® and FEPM O-rings, gaskets, custom molded parts, and engineered sealing components for chemical processing, oil and gas, steam, industrial equipment, and other demanding applications. FEPM should be selected at the compound level rather than solely by polymer family because cure system, hardness, fillers, and other formulation variables can materially affect sealing performance. Canyon Components can assist with compound selection, chemical compatibility, dimensions, hardness, application review, material verification, traceability, and custom FEPM sealing solutions.
Common names include: Aflas seals, FEPM seals, Aflas O-rings, FEPM O-rings, TFE/P fluoroelastomer, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, Aflas gaskets
Trade names include: Aflas® is the AGC trade name associated with FEPM and other high-performance fluoroelastomer technologies. This page specifically addresses Aflas® FEPM rather than AGC's separate AFLAS™ FFKM products.
Relevant Specifications: ASTM D1418 for FEPM polymer nomenclature; ASTM D2000 when applicable to specified vulcanized rubber properties; compound-specific manufacturer specifications; NORSOK, API, FDA, or other requirements only when supported by the specific compound
Aflas FEPM O-rings and seals for steam, amines, bases, oils, chemical processing, and demanding industrial applications.
Aflas® (FEPM) Materials Available
This table highlights many of our standard Aflas® (FEPM) materials and provides direct links to available products in our O-ring store. Aflas® compounds are available in different hardnesses and formulations, allowing material selection to be tailored to applications involving steam, hot water, amines, bases, oils, aggressive process chemicals, and elevated temperatures. Because performance can vary significantly between individual FEPM compounds, the correct material should be selected based on the complete operating environment rather than the Aflas® or FEPM designation alone.
In addition to standard O-rings, Canyon Components can supply Aflas® gaskets, custom molded seals, specialty profiles, and non-standard geometries for demanding industrial applications. We can also help evaluate chemical compatibility, temperature requirements, hardness, pressure, seal dimensions, and documentation requirements. Get in touch with us if you need a custom gasket, custom molded part, specialty Aflas® seal, or a size or geometry that is not available in our standard O-ring store.
Canyon Components Aflas O-rings available in AS568, JIS, and Metric sizes with custom molded part options.
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Features of Aflas® (FEPM)
- Strong Base Resistance: FEPM is particularly useful in alkaline environments and is distinguished from conventional FKM by its resistance to many bases.
- Steam and Hot Water Resistance: Parker identifies FEPM as compatible with steam and hot water, making the polymer family important for demanding aqueous and steam sealing applications.
- Amine Compatibility: FEPM is commonly selected for applications involving amines, which can be challenging for standard FKM materials.
- Oil Resistance: Aflas FEPM can provide useful resistance to engine oils and oil additives. AGC specifically highlights resistance to additives found in oil-based products.
- Elevated Temperature Capability: FEPM is a high-temperature elastomer, although actual continuous temperature capability should be established from the specific compound and service environment. Parker's general FEPM guidance extends to approximately 235°C (455°F).
- Electrical Resistance: AGC identifies good electrical resistivity as a characteristic of TFE-propylene FEPM, contributing to its use in electrical and wire applications.
- Multiple Seal Geometries: FEPM can be used for O-rings, gaskets, custom molded seals, hoses, valve components, and other elastomeric products. AGC has documented its use in industrial sealing, automotive, oilfield, chemical, and electrical applications.
Limitations of Aflas® (FEPM)
- Low-Temperature Flexibility: FEPM generally has more limited low-temperature flexibility than EPDM, silicone, fluorosilicone, or specially formulated low-temperature FKM materials. Parker gives approximately -9°C (15°F) as general FEPM family guidance, however there are many blends that can handle lower temperatures.
- Ketone Compatibility: Ketones are a significant compatibility limitation for general FEPM materials.
- Aromatic Fuel Exposure: General FEPM guidance does not recommend the material for aromatic fuels, so fuel composition should be reviewed carefully.
- Chlorinated Hydrocarbons: Chlorinated hydrocarbons are among the media that are generally unsuitable for FEPM.
- Compound Variability: Different Aflas and FEPM compounds can use different fillers, cure systems, hardnesses, and additives, so performance should not be generalized from the polymer name alone.
- Compression and Gland Design: Hardness, pressure, extrusion clearance, squeeze, and compression set must be considered together when specifying an FEPM seal.
- Regulatory Requirements: Aflas or FEPM designation alone does not establish FDA, USP Class VI, NSF, NORSOK, or other compliance. Qualification must be confirmed for the specific compound.
Common Applications of Aflas® (FEPM)
Aflas® FEPM seals are used in demanding applications where resistance to steam, bases, amines, oils, and elevated temperatures is important:
- Chemical Processing: FEPM can provide sealing in equipment handling compatible bases, acids, process chemicals, and aggressive cleaning media.
- Oil and Gas: Aflas is used in oilfield sealing applications where heat, oil additives, chemicals, and demanding service environments require specialized elastomer performance. AGC identifies oil and gas among current AFLAS fluoroelastomer applications.
- Steam Systems: FEPM O-rings and gaskets can be considered for hot water and steam applications where conventional FKM may not be appropriate.
- Amine Processing: FEPM is particularly relevant to systems containing amines, including certain chemical processing and energy applications.
- Automotive and Engine Systems: AGC has historically used Aflas for oil seals and automotive components because of its resistance to heat, oils, and oil additives.
- Pulp and Paper Equipment: Parker identifies pulp and paper liquors among media compatible with general FEPM materials.
- Electrical Applications: High electrical resistance and thermal stability support use in wire insulation and other electrical applications.
Selecting an Aflas® (FEPM) Compound
Aflas® FEPM selection should be based on the complete operating environment rather than the polymer designation alone:
- Process Media: Identify every chemical that may contact the seal, including process fluids, oils, additives, lubricants, cleaning agents, and temporary flush chemicals.
- Temperature: Evaluate continuous temperature, startup and shutdown conditions, short excursions, and the interaction between heat and chemical exposure.
- Low-Temperature Requirements: Verify actual minimum sealing temperature for the selected compound when equipment must start, seal, or cycle at low temperature.
- Pressure and Mechanical Loading: Consider system pressure, extrusion gaps, hardness, gland geometry, compression, and whether back-up rings are required.
- Steam and Water Exposure: Define steam temperature, pressure, exposure duration, cycle frequency, and whether the seal alternates between steam and other chemicals.
- Required Documentation: Identify NORSOK, FDA, customer specifications, certificates, traceability, or other documentation before selecting a compound.
- Functional Testing: For critical or unusual chemical combinations, testing under representative temperature, pressure, time, and media exposure provides stronger evidence than generic compatibility charts alone.
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
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Aflas® is a trade name associated with fluoroelastomer materials, including FEPM compounds based on tetrafluoroethylene and propylene. FEPM differs from conventional FKM in its chemical structure and compatibility profile. It is particularly useful in applications involving bases, amines, hot water, steam, phosphate ester fluids, and certain oils where standard FKM may be less suitable.
FEPM is generally considered a strong option for hot water and steam service. Parker specifically lists steam and hot water among media compatible with FEPM. Actual performance still depends on the specific compound, steam temperature, pressure, exposure duration, and number of thermal cycles.
Aflas® FEPM is commonly selected for bases, amines, phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, engine oils, hot water, steam, and certain aggressive process chemicals. Compatibility should always be checked against the exact chemical, concentration, temperature, and FEPM compound being considered. Parker also identifies aromatic fuels, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons as general limitations for FEPM.
General FEPM guidance from Parker extends to approximately 232°C (450°F) at the high end, with low-temperature flexibility around -9°C (15°F) for the general polymer family. These values should not be treated as universal ratings for every Aflas® compound. Cure system, hardness, formulation, media, pressure, and exposure time can all change the usable temperature range. See the table above for more information on the temperature ratings of each compound.
Aflas® FEPM can be used for O-rings, gaskets, custom molded seals, and other elastomeric components. Canyon Components can support standard and custom FEPM sealing products with different hardnesses, dimensions, and compound requirements depending on the chemical, temperature, pressure, regulatory, and mechanical needs of the application.
