Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has more than 1,500 elastomer mixtures, each created to suit a variety of different operating parameters. But where does the raw material for your Silicone, Fluoro, or Perfluoroelastomer seal come from, and how does it start the process of becoming a seal?
Elastomers are multi-component systems that are composed of up to 15 different raw materials. Given their very different weight proportions and an extremely wide range of textures, the individual raw materials must be mixed together homogeneously. While rubber is delivered in ball or chip form and is only capable of flowing at the processing temperature, softeners are generally present in the form of flowable oils. The goal of mixing is to distribute all the required raw materials evenly within the polymer matrix and to break up agglomerates to allow the optimal bonding of the filler particles to the polymer. For the most part, the variety of different components cannot be incorporated in a single work step. This is particularly true for mixtures that contain fine soots or natural rubber as their polymer base.
The spectrum of elastomers range from very simple forms, like the natural rubber already in use in the 19th century, to modern, high performance elastomers from the second half of the 20th century. They are continually being improved.
This blog article is the second in a two-part series discussing the many different elastomer materials available today, as discussed in Freudenberg's The World of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
The first post discussed Natural Rubber (NR), Nitrile Rubber (NBR), and Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (HNBR).
Polyacrylate Rubber (ACM)
ACM elastomers are made of polar acrylic acids. As polar materials, they display good resistance to high-additive lubricating oils. Due to its saturated¹ main chain, the material exhibits good resistance to ozone, weather and heated air. Petroleum-based oils and fluids (for engines, transmissions and automatic transmissions) cannot harm them. But the material offers only moderate strength and low elasticity while displaying limited cold behavior.
Gallagher has long been a top Parker Distributor. The Parker TechSeal Division designs and manufactures custom elastomer products using extrusion, precision cutting, and fabricating technologies. The extruded rubber products can be supplied in multiple forms such as cut parts, long lengths, bulk footage, or fabricated gaskets and seals. The video below provides an insight into TechSeal's day to day operation including manufacturing, material development, and design assistance.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBC3Hbnpjc[/embed]
The spectrum of elastomers range from very simple forms, like the natural rubber already in use in the 19th century, to modern, high performance elastomers from the second half of the 20th century. They are continually being improved.
This blog article will be the first in a two-part series discussing the many different elastomer materials available today, as discussed in Freudenberg's The World of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
Natural Rubber (NR)
In its original form, latex is greasy and sticky. Natural rubber is an elastic polymer, built on isoprene as its monomer. To make it usable technically, the long polyisoprene chains of natural rubber are cross-linked with one another through vulcanization – which involves the addition of sulfur under pressure and heat.
In the process, sulfur atoms insert themselves between the double bonds of adjacent chain molecules – the majority of the double bonds are maintained. The result is a three-dimensional molecule network whose parts can only shift against one another within certain limits.
DuPont™ Kalrez® – Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
The drive to reduce costs and environmental concerns have caused many design and processing engineers to turn to perfluoroelastomer sealing parts as the most cost-effective sealing solutions. The value-in-use of perfluoroelastomer can be proven in operating conditions where conventional elastomers fail. Even under less arduous conditions, DuPont Kalrez perfluoroelastomer seals can be the best solution, as they can last significantly longer than conventional sealing solutions.
Economics depend on the total system cost
When considering the economics of elastomeric seals, it is vital to look beyond the total cost related to the sealing solution. The total system cost in use is the sum of the cost of the O-ring seal plus the installation cost plus the downtime cost (including loss of productivity through leakage and clean-up costs).