Introduction to Fluororubber

Fluororubber is a synthetic polymer elastomer with fluorine atoms in its main or side chains. The introduction of fluorine atoms imparts exceptional properties to the rubber, such as excellent resistance to high temperatures, oxidation, oils, chemical corrosion, and aging. In addition, fluororubber also exhibits good electrical and mechanical properties, making it widely used in high-end fields such as aerospace, missiles, rockets, ships, nuclear energy, as well as in modern transportation, chemical engineering, petroleum extraction, telecommunications, instrumentation, machinery, and household appliances. As a critical material in the defense industry, fluororubber is irreplaceable in many advanced technological applications.

The main types of fluororubber products include FKM-26, which is a binary copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP), FKM-246, a ternary copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), and hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and FKM-23, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE). Additionally, special types of fluororubber, such as tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer (FFKM), fluorosilicone rubber, hydroxyl nitroso fluororubber, phosphonitrilic fluoride rubber, and perfluoroether rubber, are also produced in smaller quantities for specific applications.

Among all elastomeric materials, fluororubber stands out for its superior overall performance. According to the "China Fluorosilicon Industry Report (Issue 129)", China's annual fluororubber production capacity is expected to reach 30,300 tons (including joint ventures), accounting for approximately 46.62% of the global fluororubber production capacity. The total fluororubber production capacity in China (including foreign-invested enterprises) accounts for 56.15% of global capacity, making China the largest producer and consumer of fluororubber in the world.

According to statistics from the Fluorosilicon Association Secretariat, in 2022, the operating rate of fluororubber plants in China reached approximately 86% (excluding joint ventures). With the continuous development of China's economy, fluororubber, as a high-performance material, will see broader applications in various fields, and market demand is expected to continue growing.