Safety rules for fluorocarbon rubber Fluorocarbon rubber is a common material in seal rings for shafts, and in O-rings, for example. When fluorocarbon rubber is subjected to high tem- peratures (above 300°C/572°F ), hydrofluoric acid can be formed, which is highly corrosive. Skin con- tact can give severe chemical burns. Splashes in your eyes can give severe chemical burns. If you breathe in the fumes, your lungs can be permanently damaged. 4 f WARNING! Be very careful when working on engines which have been exposed to high tem- peratures, e.g . overheating during a seizure or fire. Seals must never be cut with an oxyacet- ylene torch, or be burned up afterwards in an uncontrolled manner.
Always use gloves made of chloroprene rubber (gloves for handling chemicals) and protective goggles. Handle the removed seal in the same way as corrosive acid. All residue, including ash, can be highly corrosive. Never use compressed air to blow anything clean. Put the remains in a plastic box which is sealed and provided with a warning label. Wash the gloves under running water before removing them. The following seals are probably made from fluoro- carbon rubber: Seal rings for the crankshaft, camshaft, intermediate shafts. O-rings irrespective of where they are installed. O-rings for cylinder liner sealing are almost always made from fluorocarbon rubber.
Note that seals which have not been subjected to high temperature can be handled normally. 8