Viton™ for the Medical Industry
Viton™ (FKM) fluorocarbon elastomers are used in the medical and life sciences industry. Canyon Components provides O-rings, gaskets, seals, and custom molded parts that must withstand aggressive chemicals, elevated temperatures, repeated sterilization cycles, and demanding mechanical conditions. While not universally appropriate for all implantable or long-term patient-contact applications, Viton™ materials play a critical role in medical equipment, diagnostic systems, pharmaceutical processing, and laboratory devices where chemical resistance and durability are essential.
Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts exhibit excellent resistance to disinfectants, cleaning agents, oils, and many solvents commonly used in medical and pharmaceutical environments. When properly specified and compounded, Viton™ materials can support compliance with USP Class VI, ISO 10993, and other regulatory requirements for non-implantable, fluid-contact, and equipment-level sealing applications.
The engineers and consultants at Canyon Components work closely with medical OEMs and equipment manufacturers to ensure Viton™ is applied appropriately and compliantly. Contact our expert staff for assistance selecting Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts for medical and healthcare applications.
Common names include: FKM (Fluorocarbon), Fluorocarbon Rubber
Trade names include: Viton™, Fluorel®, Technoflon®, Dai-El®
Features of Viton™ in Medical Applications
- Viton™ O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts offer excellent resistance to cleaning agents, disinfectants, and sterilization chemicals
- Viton™ materials maintain mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures used in sterilization and cleaning processes
- Viton™ O-rings and gaskets exhibit low compression set for long-term sealing reliability
- Viton™ materials provide excellent resistance to oils, lubricants, and non-polar solvents used in medical equipment
- Viton™ compounds exhibit strong aging, ozone, and weather resistance
- Viton™ materials are available in controlled formulations suitable for regulated medical and pharmaceutical environments
Limitations of Viton™ in Medical Service
- Viton™ materials have poor resistance to hot water and superheated steam in continuous service
- Viton™ compounds are not compatible with strong amines, ketones, or highly polar solvents
- Viton™ service temperature range varies by compound, with a typical maximum of 437°F (225°C)
- Certain medical applications may require silicone, FFKM, or PTFE 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 Medical and Pharmaceutical 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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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 Medical and Pharmaceutical Grade Materials?
Medical and pharmaceutical grade materials are elastomers, plastics, metals, and components specifically engineered to meet the strict safety, purity, and regulatory requirements of healthcare and life sciences industries. These materials are commonly used in medical devices, diagnostic equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory systems, where contamination, material degradation, or seal failure can have serious consequences.
Common Considerations for Medical-Grade Elastomers
- Biocompatibility: Materials must not cause adverse reactions when used in approved contact environments
- Purity: Compounds must be free from harmful leachables, extractables, or contaminants
- Chemical Compatibility: Materials must resist cleaning agents, disinfectants, and process chemicals
- Sterilization Resistance: Materials must tolerate autoclave, EtO, gamma, or chemical sterilization methods
- Traceability: Full batch traceability is required for quality control and regulatory compliance
- Regulatory Compliance: Materials must meet relevant standards such as USP Class VI and ISO 10993, where applicable
Key Standards for Viton™ in the Medical Industry
- USP Class VI materials undergo biological reactivity testing to evaluate systemic toxicity when materials contact mammalian cells. Viton™ compounds intended for medical equipment sealing are often formulated and tested to meet USP Class VI requirements for non-implantable components, including O-rings, gaskets, and custom molded parts.
- USP <87> evaluates cytotoxicity through agar diffusion, elution, and direct contact testing. Viton™ compounds used in regulated medical equipment often undergo USP <87> testing to verify suitability for controlled contact environments.
- USP <88> includes implantation and injection tests to assess biological response. Certain Viton™ formulations may be qualified under USP <88> for equipment-level or limited-contact medical applications.
- ISO 10993 provides a framework for evaluating the biocompatibility of medical device materials. Viton™ materials may be assessed under ISO 10993 for specific medical device components where FKM is deemed appropriate.
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.
Medical & Pharmaceutical
USP Class VI Materials
Explore USP Class VI materials for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, ensuring safety and purity.
ISO 10993-1
Discover ISO 10993-1 materials, certified for biocompatibility in medical devices, ensuring safety and performance.
Vacuum Baking & Cleaning
Explore our specialized services: vacuum baking for material degassing, ultrasonic cleaning for precision parts, and custom bagging for product protection. Request a quote today!
Clean Room Manufactured Materials
Discover clean room manufactured material features, applications, and how they meet strict cleanliness standards in medical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor environments.
Medical Industry Materials Available
Click here to see some of our most commonly served industries!
Canyon Components supports medical OEMs and pharmaceutical manufacturers with material selection, compliance guidance, and custom sealing solutions tailored to regulatory and performance requirements. Whether you need Viton™ O-rings for diagnostic equipment or an alternative elastomer for sterile applications, 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.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Silicone O-rings, gaskets, and molded parts are widely used for biocompatibility, flexibility, and implantable applications.
Canrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
FFKM O-rings and seals provide extreme chemical and thermal resistance for pharmaceutical processing and sterilization-intensive environments.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
Fluorosilicone combines fuel resistance with improved low-temperature flexibility for specialized medical equipment.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM elastomers are used in applications requiring steam resistance, water compatibility, and cost-effective sealing.
Spring Energized Seal (SES)
PTFE components are used where ultra-purity, low friction, and chemical inertness are required.
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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