Viton® Inflatable Gaskets

High-Performance Inflatable Sealing for Heat, Fuel & Chemical Applications

Viton® Inflatable Gaskets are pneumatically activated sealing components manufactured using FKM (Fluoroelastomer) compounds for demanding applications involving elevated temperatures, oils, fuels, hydrocarbons and aggressive chemicals.

The gasket expands when pressurized with air or another suitable medium, creating positive contact with the mating surface. When pressure is released, the gasket retracts, allowing the equipment, door, chamber or enclosure to open with reduced resistance.

FKM is particularly valued for its combination of high-temperature performance, fuel and oil resistance, chemical resistance, ozone resistance and low gas permeability.

Viton® Inflatable Gaskets are available in customized profiles, dimensions and configurations to suit specialized industrial sealing requirements.

Parameter Typical Specification
Product Viton® Inflatable Gasket
Material FKM / Fluoroelastomer
Construction Extruded or moulded inflatable profile
Activation Medium Compressed Air / Suitable Fluid
Profile Footed, Footless, U-Profile, Channel & Custom
Configuration Straight, Endless, Ring & Custom Shapes
Expansion Axial / Internal Radial / External Radial
Typical Hardness Application-specific, commonly around 70–90 Shore A
Temperature Range Typically approximately -20°C to +200°C; grade dependent
Short-Term Temperature Higher temperatures may be possible depending on compound and duty cycle
Inflation Pressure Application-dependent
Reinforcement Optional textile/fabric reinforcement
Connection Pneumatic tube, valve or customized fitting
Jointing Vulcanized / Moulded / Bonded
Colour Generally Black; other colours subject to compound
Chemical Resistance Excellent against many oils, fuels, hydrocarbons and chemicals
Gas Permeability Low
Design Standard or Customized

FKM grades can vary significantly. Parker, for example, lists FKM performance up to approximately 204°C, while specialized compounds can offer different temperature and chemical-resistance characteristics. Final operating limits must therefore be confirmed against the selected compound and application.

  • High-performance pneumatically activated sealing
  • Manufactured using FKM (Fluoroelastomer) compounds
  • Designed for elevated temperatures, oils, fuels, hydrocarbons and aggressive chemicals
  • Creates positive contact with mating surface when expanded
  • Retracts when pressure is released for easy opening
  • Reduces resistance on equipment doors, chambers, or enclosures
  • High-temperature performance capabilities
  • Excellent fuel, oil, and chemical resistance
  • Good ozone and weathering resistance
  • Low gas permeability
  • Available in customized profiles, dimensions, and configurations

Standard FKM

Standard FKM is a preferred elastomer where the application requires a combination of high-temperature resistance and resistance to oils, fuels and hydrocarbons.

Recommended for:
• Industrial machinery
• Hydraulic equipment
• Fuel systems
• Oil-processing equipment
• Automotive systems
• Chemical equipment
• General high-temperature sealing

FKM offers excellent resistance to mineral oils, fuels, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals.

High-Fluorine FKM

Higher-fluorine FKM compounds can be selected where improved chemical and fuel resistance is required.

Recommended for:
• Aggressive hydrocarbon environments
• Chemical processing
• Petroleum equipment
• Fuel-handling systems
• High-performance industrial machinery

The exact fluorine level, cure system and compound formulation should be selected according to the actual process media and operating conditions.

Low-Temperature FKM

Special FKM compounds are available where improved low-temperature flexibility is required.
Standard FKM has more limited low-temperature flexibility than some other elastomers, while specialty compounds can extend the useful low-temperature range.

Recommended for:
• Aerospace systems
• Outdoor equipment
• Fuel systems
• Cold-environment machinery
• Specialized transportation applications

Specialty / Application-Specific FKM

Special FKM formulations can be engineered for particular requirements such as improved fuel resistance, chemical resistance, low-temperature performance, rapid gas decompression resistance or high-temperature operation.

Chemical & Media Resistance

Viton® / FKM is particularly suitable for applications involving:
• Mineral oils
• Lubricants
• Hydraulic fluids
• Gasoline
• Diesel fuels
• Jet fuels
• Aromatic hydrocarbons
• Many aliphatic hydrocarbons
• Silicone oils and greases
• Many organic solvents
• Various industrial chemicals

FKM is also known for good ozone, oxidation and aging resistance.

Important Material Limitations

Standard FKM should not automatically be selected for every chemical or temperature condition.
Depending on the grade, FKM may have limited compatibility with:
• Strong alkalis
• Amines
• Ammonia
• Certain glycol-based fluids
• Superheated steam
• Certain low-molecular-weight organic acids

Material compatibility must be verified for the exact media, concentration, temperature and exposure time before final selection.

    Oil & Gas

    Viton® Inflatable Gaskets are suitable for demanding oil and gas environments where resistance to fuels, oils, hydrocarbons, temperature and aggressive process media is required.
    Applications include:
    • Process equipment
    • Valves
    • Pumps
    • Pipeline equipment
    • Fuel-handling systems
    • Inspection chambers
    • Specialized access systems

    FKM compounds are widely used in oil-and-gas sealing applications because of their oil/fuel resistance and high-temperature capabilities.

    Chemical & Process Industries

    Chemical processing equipment often requires sealing materials capable of handling elevated temperatures and aggressive chemicals.
    Applications include:
    • Chemical processing equipment
    • Reactors
    • Pumps
    • Valves
    • Process chambers
    • Access doors
    • Flanged equipment
    • Industrial enclosures

    FKM is commonly selected for chemical applications, although the exact chemical compatibility must always be confirmed for the selected compound.

    Aerospace & Aviation

    Aerospace systems demand sealing materials capable of maintaining performance when exposed to fuels, hydraulic fluids, temperature variations and demanding operating environments.
    Applications include:
    • Aircraft fuel systems
    • Hydraulic systems
    • Engine assemblies
    • Fluid-transfer systems
    • Access panels
    • Specialized chambers
    • Environmental-control equipment

    Viton® fluoroelastomers are used extensively in aerospace applications because of their heat, fuel and chemical resistance.

    Automotive

    Viton® / FKM is widely used in automotive sealing applications involving fuel, oil, high temperatures and engine environments.
    Potential applications include:
    • Fuel systems
    • Engine components
    • Transmission systems
    • Hydraulic systems
    • Testing equipment
    • Specialized vehicle equipment

    FKM has long been used in fuel-system and engine-related sealing because it maintains useful properties at elevated temperatures and in contact with hydrocarbons.

    Pharmaceutical & Food Processing

    Special FKM compounds with appropriate regulatory approvals can be considered for selected food and pharmaceutical applications.
    Potential applications include:
    • Processing equipment
    • Sealed chambers
    • Pharmaceutical machinery
    • Specialized enclosures
    • Cleaning-intensive equipment

    The exact compound and certification should be verified for the intended food or pharmaceutical contact application. Certain FKM compounds are available with FDA-compliant options and other application-specific approvals.

    Industrial Machinery

    Viton® Inflatable Gaskets provide a flexible sealing solution for machinery where doors, covers or chambers need to be repeatedly opened and securely sealed during operation.
    Applications include:
    • Machine doors
    • Industrial chambers
    • Test equipment
    • Vacuum equipment
    • Process machinery
    • High-temperature enclosures
    • Inspection systems

    Key Advantages

    High Temperature Capabilities
    Maintains performance at elevated temperatures up to approximately 200°C+ depending on grade.

    Chemical & Fuel Resistance
    Superior resistance against oils, fuels, hydrocarbons, and aggressive process chemicals.

    Pneumatic Activation
    Provides controlled expansion for positive contact sealing and effortless retraction.

    Low Gas Permeability
    Ideal for vacuum, process, and gas sealing environments.

    Custom Construction
    Extruded or moulded options with optional textile/fabric reinforcement for high durability.

    How It Works

    1. Positioning
    The deflated Viton® inflatable gasket is positioned in the groove or sealing gap of the door, chamber, or equipment.

    2. Inflation
    Compressed air or another suitable activation medium is introduced through the pneumatic connection.

    3. Seal Expansion
    The gasket expands (axially or radially) creating positive contact against the mating surface to form a tight seal.

    4. Operation
    The equipment operates under temperature, chemical, or pressure conditions with the temporary sealing boundary maintained.

    5. Deflation & Retraction
    When the cycle ends, pressure is released, causing the gasket to retract to its original profile.

    6. Opening
    The door or enclosure opens smoothly with reduced resistance.

    Custom Viton® Inflatable Gaskets

    Every application has different requirements. The correct inflatable gasket design depends on:
    • Gasket cross-section
    • Groove dimensions
    • Minimum and maximum sealing gap
    • Required expansion
    • Inflation pressure
    • Operating temperature
    • Chemical exposure
    • Contact media
    • Operating cycles
    • Installation method
    • Required hardness
    • Reinforcement requirements
    • Regulatory requirements

    For a customized quotation or technical evaluation, provide the gasket drawing/profile, groove dimensions, operating temperature, inflation pressure and media details.

    Engineered For Demanding Sealing Environments

    Viton® Inflatable Gaskets — High-performance pneumatic sealing for heat, fuel, oil and chemical applications.