ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

Viton (FPM) and Potassium Hypochlorite: Chemical Resistance

Fluoroelastomer (FKM/FPM)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
diluteA–

Material comparison at 20 °C

Potassium Hypochlorite: Material comparison at 20 °CViton (FPM): A (highlighted); FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A; PP: A.FEP: AViton (FPM): AFPMHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC Flexible: APVDF: ASS 316: BEPDM: CNBR: CNylon (PA): CPolycarbonate: CPETG: CPolystyrene: CSS 304: CAluminium: DAcetal (POM): DECTFE/ETFE: –SAN: –Silicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

Viton (FPM) shows very good resistance (A) to Potassium Hypochlorite at dilute at 20 °C, meaning the material remains essentially unaffected by this chemical under standard laboratory test conditions. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk.

Application context

Potassium Hypochlorite is commonly encountered in water disinfection and pulp and paper. Viton (FPM) (Fluoroelastomer (FKM/FPM)) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Because Potassium Hypochlorite is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

Viton (FPM) can be used with confidence for Potassium Hypochlorite containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. This holds true at both 20 °C and 50 °C, giving a good safety margin for typical process environments.

Did you know?

Fluoroelastomer (FKM/FPM) was first developed in the 1950s and remains one of the most widely used elastomers in chemical handling equipment.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for dilute, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, PVC Flexible A, Polysulfone A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Metals
SS 316 B

About Viton (FPM)

Fluoroelastomer (Viton, FKM/FPM) resists fuels, oils and many acids. Ketones, esters, amines and hot water or steam attack it.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

About this data

The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.

A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.