Tech Talk

SOLUTIONS
What Is AFLAS® and Where Can We Use It?
What Is AFLAS?
AFLAS® is a Trade name for Tetrafluoroethylene
(TFE) and propylene (P) developed by Asahi Glass
Company. 3M corporation uses the trade name Dyneon®
BRF to market this material. It is known to resist both
acids and bases, as well as steam, amine based
corrosion inhibitors, hydraulic fluids, alcohol, and
petroleum based fluids. It’s temperature range is
marketed at between 14 ºF to 400 ºF (–10° to 200°C). It
does not perform well in Acetic Acid, Ethers, Ketones
and Toluene. See the chemical resistance noted in
Figure 1. A rating of higher than 1 is typically
unacceptable for service in a mechanical seal.
Concentration and temperature will affect these ratings.
A more extensive list of chemical compatibility for
AFLAS is available at
http://www.aflas.jp/english/pdf/selection_guide.pdf
AFLAS is not a perfluoroelastomer (FFKM). Most
commercial perfluoroelastomers are terpolymers of
tetrafluorethylene(TFE) and Perfluromethylvinyl ether
(PVME) as well as a cure site monomer. The fully
fluorinated monomers in FFKM provide their superior
chemical resistance in a broad range of chemicals. The Figure 1 – Chemical Compatibility of AFLAS
bonds between the fluorine atoms and the carbon atoms
are extremely strong making the polymer unbreakable.
The high levels of Fluorine also provides more chemical
and thermal stability. FFKM temperature limits extend
up to 600 ºF (316 ºC).

Where Can We Use AFLAS?

Specialists have learned AFLAS can be a cost
effective alternative to FFKM in limited services which are
higher in temperature. Fluorocarbon (FKM) works well in
petroleum based products, while Ethylene Propylene is
ideal for water services. Aflas is ideal for petroleum
based products with a steam quench. It is harder than
standard FKM (80-85 Shore A vs. 70-75 Shore A) which
allows it to be more effective at higher temperatures.
Conversely it is not as effective in colder
temperatures due to its hardness. We find that as the
temperature drops the hardness increases. The harder
O-ring is less elastic and less forgiving of shaft
movement which may allow visible leakage. The
solution is to either increase the temperature within the
mechanical seal or switch to a softer material.
Unfortunately the softer material may be a more Figure 2 – Thermal Properties Comparison Chart
expensive FFKM.
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