Daetwyler develops PEEK-reinforced elastomers for seals

ERJ staff report (DS)

Thornton Cleveleys, UK -- A new composite made from fluoro-elastomer, (FKM), nitrile rubber (NBR) and high-performance thermoplastic PEEK (polyether-ether ketone) is being used in extreme industrial scenarios which require seals with additional rigidity and high levels of resistance to creep and deformation to provide durable, tight seal solutions.

The new seals concepts were developed by Daetwyler and Victrex Polymer Solutions (VPS), the world leader in Polyaryletherketones, working collaboratively to form a composite material that combines Victrex PEEK polymer and different rubber compounds. Their joint investigation focused on combining NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) and FPM (fluoroelastomer) with Victrex PEEK based Aptiv films, with the goal of creating a composite material suitable for seals showing low permeation.

PEEK polymers offer higher mechanical and thermal performance levels, compared to other thermoplastics, and excellent chemical resistance, including resistance to hydrolysis. It also exhibits compressive creep resistance at elevated temperatures, resulting in high reliability. The results of the Daetwyler-Victrex collaboration indicate that the relatively hard PEEK polymer can be successfully combined with selected elastomers for the formation of seals using a single composite, thus simplifying the assembly and mount processes.

Victrex and Daetwyler are now keen to discuss the new polymer-rubber composite with potential customers, to establish whether it can answer their specific requirements for high performance seals in a diverse range of demanding applications.

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Press release from Victrex