Viton™ for the Food Industry
Viton™ (FKM) fluorocarbon elastomers are used throughout the food processing industry for manufacturing O-rings, gaskets, seals, and custom molded parts that must withstand aggressive cleaning chemicals, oils, fats, and elevated operating temperatures. Food processing environments subject sealing materials to repeated Clean-in-Place (CIP) cycles, washdowns, and exposure to oils, sugars, acids, and sanitizers, all while maintaining hygienic integrity and compliance.
Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts provide excellent resistance to animal fats, vegetable oils, lubricants, and many cleaning agents commonly used in food production. When properly specified, Viton™ materials are well suited for equipment-level sealing applications such as pumps, valves, mixers, fillers, and conveyors where chemical resistance, durability, and long service life are required.
The engineers and consultants at Canyon Components work closely with food equipment manufacturers and processors to ensure Viton™ is used appropriately and compliantly. Contact our expert staff for assistance selecting Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts for food processing applications.
Common names include: FKM (Fluorocarbon), Fluorocarbon Rubber
Trade names include: Viton™, Fluorel®, Technoflon®, Dai-El®
Features of Viton™ in Food Applications
- FDA CFR 21.177.2600 Compliant Viton™: Canyon Components offers an array of FDA compliant Viton™ materials that can be used to manufacture standard parts like O-rings and sanitary seals, as well as custom parts of any geometry. The specification typically used to define Canyon elastomers compliance to FDA standards is FDA CFR 21.177.2600 sections A, B, C, D, E, & F depending on the use case of the final component.
- Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts provide excellent resistance to fats, oils, greases, and lubricants
- Viton™ materials exhibit strong resistance to many acidic and alkaline cleaning agents used in CIP systems
- Viton™ O-rings and gaskets maintain mechanical integrity during temperature cycling
- Viton™ materials offer low compression set for long-term sealing reliability
- Viton™ compounds resist ozone, weathering, and aging in frequent washdown environments
- Viton™ materials are available in food-contact compliant formulations for regulated equipment
Limitations of Viton™ in Food Service
- Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts have poor resistance to continuous hot water and steam
- Viton™ materials are not ideal for prolonged SIP steam sterilization compared to EPDM or specialty steam-resistant elastomers
- Viton™ compounds are not recommended for strong amines or highly polar solvents
- Viton™ service temperature range varies by compound, with a typical maximum of 437°F (225°C)
- Certain food processing applications may require EPDM, silicone, PTFE, or FFKM instead of FKM
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.
FKM & Viton™ High Performance Polymer Types
There are many types of FKM Polymer Types that Canyon Components offers.
This includes FKM Types A, B, F, GLT, GFLT, XLT, ULT, ETP, & TBR.
The table below is a Viton™ selection guide that lays out the pluses and minuses of each variation.
Key: 1 = Excellent 2 = Good 3 = Poor 4 = Not Recommended
| Types of FKM | A | GF | GLT | GLT ED | GFLT | XLT | ETP | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Compound Number | VT75BK00 | VT75BK20 | VT75BK30 | VT90BK31 | VT75BK40 | VT75BK50 | VT75BK60 | |||||||
| Description | General Purpose | General Purpose High Fluorine |
Low Temp | Low Temp Resistant to Explosive Decompression |
Low Temp High Fluorine |
Extreme Low Temp High Fluorine |
Viton® Extreme High Fluorine FEPM |
|||||||
| Cure Type | Bisphenol | Peroxide | Peroxide | Peroxide | Peroxide | Peroxide | Peroxide | |||||||
| Typical Fluorine Content | 66 | 69.5 | 64 | 64 | 66.5 | 66.5 | 67 | |||||||
| Typical High Temp Range °F (°C) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | 437 (225) | |||||||
| Typical Low Temp Range °F (°C) | -15 (-26) | -15 (-26) | -40 (-40) | -40 (-40) | -35 (-37) | -54 (-48) | -6 (-21) | |||||||
| TR-10 °F (°C) | 1 (-17) | -6 (-21) | -22 (-30) | -22 (-30) | -11 (-24) | -40 (-40) | 12 (-11) | |||||||
| Oxygenated Automotive Fuels (containing MeOH, EtOH, MTBE, etc.) | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Reciprocating Engine Lubricating Oils (SE-SF Grades) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Process Fluids,Chemicals | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Aromatic Hydrocarbon Process Fluids, | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Aqueous Fluids: Water, Steam, Mineral Acids (H2SO4, HNO3, HCl, etc.) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Amines, High pH Caustics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
FKM (Viton™) Materials Available for Food Manufacturing Service
This table shows many of our standard materials and links out to our O-ring store. Get in touch with us if you need a custom gasket, custom molded part, or non-standard geometry!
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Temperature Search (°C)
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.
What Are Food-Grade Elastomer Materials?
Food-grade elastomer materials are sealing compounds specifically engineered to meet the sanitation, safety, and regulatory requirements of food production environments. These materials must resist degradation from food products and cleaning chemicals while maintaining hygienic surfaces that do not contaminate the process.
Common Considerations for Food-Grade Elastomers
- Food Contact Compliance: Materials must meet FDA and applicable food-contact regulations
- Chemical Compatibility: Resistance to fats, oils, sugars, acids, caustics, and sanitizers
- Thermal Performance: Ability to tolerate hot cleaning cycles without cracking or excessive compression set
- Hygienic Design: Materials should not harbor bacteria or degrade in ways that compromise cleanliness
- Traceability: Full batch traceability to support quality audits and regulatory inspections
- Durability: Long service life to reduce downtime and maintenance
Key Standards for Viton™ in the Food Industry
- FDA Food Contact Regulations: Viton™ compounds used in food processing equipment are often formulated to comply with FDA food-contact requirements for equipment-level sealing components, including O-rings and gaskets used in pumps, valves, and processing machinery.
- USDA and Food Safety Requirements: Elastomer materials must not contaminate food products and must withstand sanitation procedures without material breakdown. Viton™ compounds are frequently evaluated for these requirements when used in controlled food-contact or non-product-contact locations.
- 3-A Sanitary Standards (Equipment-Level Considerations): While Viton™ itself is not a certification, elastomers used in 3-A compliant equipment must demonstrate suitability for hygienic design and cleanability. 3-A Viton™ is available now from Canyon Components.
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.
Food & Dairy
FDA Compliant Materials
Discover FDA compliant materials for food, medical, and pharmaceutical use, meeting strict safety standards.
NSF 51 Materials
Discover NSF 51 materials for food equipment, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, hygiene, and durability.
USDA 3A Materials
Explore USDA 3A materials for dairy and food processing, ensuring hygiene, safety, and USDA compliance.
EU 1935/2004 Materials
Explore EU 1935/2004 materials for food contact, ensuring safety, hygiene, and compliance with regulations.
Other Common Elastomers Used in the Food Industry
Click here to see some of our most commonly served industries!
Canyon Components supports food processors and equipment manufacturers with material selection guidance, compliance support, and custom sealing solutions designed for hygienic, high-uptime operations. Whether your application requires Viton™ for chemical resistance or an alternative elastomer for steam-heavy service, our engineering team is ready to help.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Canrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
FFKM O-rings and gaskets provide extreme chemical and temperature resistance for demanding food and beverage processing environments exposed to aggressive cleaners, acids, and repeated thermal cycling.
Metal Detectable O-rings
Canyon Components offers Metal Detectable O-rings for reliable contaminant detection in food and pharmaceutical applications, with competitive pricing and quick lead times.
X-Ray Detectable O-rings, Gaskets, Elastomers
Canyon Components provides X-Ray Detectable O-rings for enhanced contaminant detection in food and pharmaceutical applications, offering competitive pricing and fast lead times.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Silicone O-rings and gaskets are commonly used for flexibility, temperature stability, and biocompatibility in food applications, especially in static sealing locations and sanitary processing equipment.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM O-rings and gaskets are widely used in dairy processing for hot water and steam resistance in CIP and SIP systems, providing reliable sealing performance in hygienic equipment and washdown environments.
Polyurethane (PU, AU)
Polyurethane O-rings and gaskets are used in food and dairy equipment requiring high abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, particularly in dynamic sealing applications such as scrapers, pistons, and actuators.
PTFE Encapsulated
FEP and PFA encapsulated O-rings consist of an elastomeric core and a seamlessly closed casing of modified PTFE. The elastomer core of encapsulated O-rings is typically made of FKM (Viton) or VMQ (silicone) and guarantees a uniform pre-tensioning at the sealing point.
Spring Energized Seal (SES)
PTFE seals and gaskets offer excellent chemical resistance, non-stick properties, and hygienic performance, making them suitable for aggressive cleaning cycles and sensitive food contact applications.
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.
All Other FKM (Viton™) Types Available
Viton™ Type A – General Purpose FKM
Viton™ Type A FKM O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts provide balanced heat and chemical resistance. This general purpose fluorocarbon elastomer is widely used in industrial sealing applications involving fuels, oils, and hydrocarbons.
Viton™ Type B – Improved Chemical Resistance FKM
Viton™ Type B FKM offers enhanced resistance to aggressive fuels, aromatics, and chemical blends compared to Type A. This high-fluorine fluorocarbon elastomer is commonly specified in demanding fuel systems.
Viton™ Type F – Improved Chemical Resistance FKM
Viton™ Type F FKM provides superior resistance to oxygenated fuels, solvents, and aggressive chemical environments. This fluorocarbon elastomer is frequently used in automotive and industrial fuel sealing applications.
Viton™ Type GF – High Fluorine FKM
Viton™ Type GF FKM features increased fluorine content for improved resistance to fuels, biodiesel, and harsh chemicals while maintaining strong mechanical properties and sealing reliability.
Viton™ Type GLT – Low Temperature FKM
Viton™ Type GLT FKM delivers improved low-temperature flexibility compared to standard fluorocarbon elastomers, supporting sealing performance in colder climates without sacrificing chemical resistance.
Viton™ Type GFLT – Low Temperature and Chemical Resistant FKM
Viton™ Type GFLT FKM combines enhanced low-temperature flexibility with improved resistance to aggressive fuels and chemical blends, making it suitable for demanding fluorocarbon sealing applications.
Viton™ Type ETP – Specialty Chemical Resistant FKM
Viton™ Type ETP FKM provides exceptional resistance to aggressive chemicals, steam, and amines. This specialty fluorocarbon elastomer is often used in oil, gas, and chemical processing systems.
Viton™ Type ULT – Ultra Low Temperature FKM
Viton™ Type ULT FKM is engineered for ultra-low temperature environments while maintaining fluorocarbon chemical resistance, making it suitable for extreme cold industrial and aerospace sealing systems.
Viton™ Type XLT – Extreme Low Temperature FKM
Viton™ Type XLT FKM extends low-temperature sealing capability beyond GLT grades, offering reliable fluorocarbon elastomer performance in severe cold and aerospace environments.
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