Is fkm rubber resistant to kerosene?

Fluororubber FKM rubber generally has good kerosene resistance, especially at room temperature to medium temperature (about -20°C to +150°C). 

 

1. Kerosene resistance
Fluororubber has excellent resistance to most mineral oils (including kerosene) because the C-F bond in its molecular structure is extremely chemically stable and can resist swelling and erosion by oils.

At room temperature, fluororubber seals or pipes usually do not show obvious swelling, hardening or performance degradation when exposed to kerosene for a long time.

 

2. Precautions
Temperature effect: If kerosene is exposed to high temperature (>150°C) or high pressure, the permeability of kerosene may increase. It is necessary to select high fluorine content (such as FKM Type 3) or perfluoroether rubber (FFKM) to improve resistance.

Additive effect: Some kerosenes contain sulfur, acid or other additives, which may accelerate rubber aging. The specific kerosene composition needs to be confirmed.

Long-term immersion: Long-term contact in extreme cases may cause slight swelling (volume change <10%), which requires actual testing and verification.

 

3. Comparison with other rubbers
Better than NBR (nitrile rubber): NBR is easy to swell in kerosene, and fluororubber is more suitable for harsh environments.

Inferior to FFKM: Perfluoroether rubber has better oil resistance, but the cost is extremely high, and it is only considered when ultra-high temperature (>200°C) is required.

 

4. Application suggestions
Fluororubber is widely used in seals (such as O-rings and oil seals) in aviation and automobile fuel systems, and is suitable for scenes in contact with kerosene.

If the working conditions are extreme (such as high temperature + chemical additives), compatibility testing (ASTM D471 standard) is recommended.