RUBBER-PEEK composite for seals Seals used in the oil, gas or automotive industry pose a formidable design
challenge because they have to be tight and durable, to avoid leaks, maintenance downtime and costly system failure.
Elastomer materials like FPM (fluoroelastomer) or EPDM will remain durable at high temperatures and also offer
good chemical resistance but are usually too soft and flexible for use as seals.
To address these challenges, Switzerland-based seals maker Daetwyler and UK PEEK supplier Victrex Polymer Solutions worked together to develop a composite material that combines Victrex’s PEEK-based Aptiv films with NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) and FPM. The result is that the relatively hard PEEK polymer can be combined with selected elastomers for the formation of seals using a single composite, thus simplifying the
assembly and mount processes.
The companies say that the composite also meets the requirements for rugged industrial seals, demonstrating
low creep under high mechanical loads, little expansion in the presence of fluids and steam, high chemical
resistance and low permeation – all plus points for tight seal solutions.
Victrex and Daetwyler are now keen to discuss the new polymerrubber composite with potential customers.(PRA)
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