CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

This marketing research report on fluoroelastomers discusses three major types of polymers: fluorocarbon elastomers; fluorosilicone elastomers, also referred to as fluorosilicone rubber; and perfluorocarbon elastomers.

The major global producers of fluorocarbon elastomers are DuPont, Dyneon, Solvay Solexis and Daikin. The largest Chinese producer of fluorocarbon elastomers is Zhonghao Chenguang Research Institute of the Chemical Industry. Dow Corning, Shin-Etsu (Shincor) and Momentive (formerly GE Silicones) are the major producers of fluorosilicone rubber.

The global market for fluoroelastomers in 2009 was largely determined by the global economic crisis, which particularly hit the automotive industry in the United States, Europe and Japan. Total demand for fluoroelastomers is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of around 5–6% through 2014. Major market drivers are the recovery from the economic crisis, further tightening of emission standards in many of the industrialized countries and strong expansion of automobile production in China.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of fluoroelastomers:

Fluorocarbon elastomers are fluorine-containing polymers noted for their exceptional resistance to heat, weathering and a wide variety of fluids and chemicals, as well as for their excellent sealing and mechanical properties. They are used in highly demanding applications where extreme temperature ranges and chemical attack are encountered. The chief limitations on the use of fluorocarbon elastomers are cost and the relatively different technology of compounding and curing, which may involve long postcure times. The cured products generally have fairly-low-temperature flexibility and low resilience. Solvent resistance is generally high; however, certain organic liquids can cause considerable swelling. In addition, fluorocarbon elastomers are very sensitive to moisture and require a strictly controlled environment to process, thereby making the processing of fluorocarbon elastomers difficult. Hence, it is costly to compound these polymers.

Fluorosilicone elastomer is also known as fluorovinylmethyl silicone rubber. Fluorosilicones have a combination of fluorocarbon and silicone characteristics. They resist solvents, fuel and oil similarly to fluorocarbons and have high- and low-temperature stability similar to silicones. Fluorosilicones are widely used in aerospace fuel systems and in automotive fuel emission controls.

Perfluoroelastomer is a high-performance elastomer with exceptional chemical resistance properties and high-temperature stability. It can be used for all applications where the properties of regular fluorocarbon elastomers are not sufficient. Perfluoroelastomers are usually copolymers made of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethylvinyl ether. Perfluoroelastomers are mainly used in high-performance O-rings. The most important feature is the extreme reliability. Companies that are working in this area include DuPont, Solvay Solexis, Dyneon and Daikin.