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AFLAS® is a trade name for a family of fluoroelastomers based on tetrafluoroethylene propylene (TFE/P) copolymer, known for its unique chemical resistance to amines, steam, acids, and bases, where other elastomers like FKM (Viton®) may fail. AFLAS® is widely used in valve seats, seals, gaskets, and O-rings in applications where exposure to aggressive chemicals, heat, and sour gas (H₂S) service is common.

Properties

Properties

  • Superior Resistance to Bases & Amines – Outperforms FKM in amine-rich and caustic environments, making it ideal for oil & gas processing.
  • Excellent Steam Resistance – Maintains integrity under high-temperature steam up to +200°C (392°F), with short-term exposure up to +230°C (446°F).
  • Good Sour Gas (H₂S) Resistance – Complies with NORSOK M-710 and API 6A requirements for sour gas service in oil & gas valves.
  • Wide Chemical Compatibility – Resists acids, bases, steam, oils, fuels, and aggressive chemical blends.
  • Low Permeability – Reduces gas permeation, making it suitable for high-pressure gas valve applications.

AFLAS® vs. Other Elastomers in Valves
• Better amine and base resistance than FKM (Viton®) in oil & gas service.
• More steam-resistant than standard fluoroelastomers, making it well-suited for refinery and petrochemical valves.
• Less broad chemical resistance than FFKM, but more cost-effective.

Limitations

Limitations

  • Lower Low-Temperature Flexibility – Becomes stiff below -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F), limiting use in cryogenic or cold-weather applications.
  • Less Chemically Inert Than PTFE or FFKM – Not suitable for strong oxidizers like nitric or fuming sulfuric acid.
  • Higher Cost Compared to NBR or EPDM – Positioned between FKM and FFKM in terms of pricing.

Common Applications

Common Applications

Oil & Gas Valves – Widely used in wellhead, blowout preventer (BOP), and pipeline valves exposed to sour gas and amine service.
Chemical Processing Valves – Suitable for handling caustics, acids, and mixed chemical streams.
Steam Service Valves – Applied in power generation and refinery steam systems.
Subsea & Offshore Valves – Performs well in deepwater valves exposed to high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) service.