Comparison

Extreme Chemical and Temperature Perfluoroelastomer (Kalrez) vs Polycarbonate

A side-by-side comparison of Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM - Kalrez family) and Polycarbonate.

Physical

Density
1.9 - 2.15 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.05 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
1.0 - 2.0 %
0.5 – 0.8 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
0.03 - 0.07 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
10 - 20 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
100 - 250 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
N/A
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
70

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature
0 to 15 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
N/A
Continuous Service Temperature
-20 to 327 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
2.1 - 2.2
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^15 - 10^17 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 - 20 kV/mm
15 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids
Outstanding
Bases
Outstanding
Poor
Solvents
Outstanding resistance to virtually all chemicals and solvents
UV Resistance
Excellent
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
Good
Alcohols
Fair
Oils
Good
Gasoline
Fair
Acetone
Poor (attacks)

Sustainability

Recyclability
Extremely Limited
Recyclable
Recycling Code
N/A
7
Carbon Footprint
Very High (complex production)
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
0 – 50 % (bio grades)