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148 
0-ring danger
Page 142
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• 0-rings can cause severe burns and lead to amputations. The danger has come to light, we learn from a vehicle manufacturer, following an incident when a fitter had to have part of a finger removed in hospital after handling an 0-ring that has been affected by very high temperature.
Exposure to excessive heat had decomposed the fluorelastomer seal releasing hydrofluoric acid. This acid is almost impossible to remove once it has contaminated the skin and amputation may be necessary.
Fluorelastomer is a rubberlike material commonly used in gaskets, 0-rings and other various seals. Viton is the most common trade name of such seals, and was the one involved in the incident, but other makes such as Fluorel and Tecmoflon use the same material.
Anyone who may be required to handle such seals that have been exposed to temperatures above 400°C (as in a fire) should do so with heavy-duty gloves and clean the affected area with wire wool and detergent before carefully disposing of the gloves.