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Stronger bonds for Peek/FKM composite seals

A Precision Polymer Engineering product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 21, 2003

High performance seals specialist, Precision Polymer Engineering has developed a new method of bonding fluorinated elastomers to the engineering plastic polyetheretherketone.

High performance seals specialist, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE) has developed a new method of bonding fluorinated elastomers to the engineering plastic polyetheretherketone (Peek).

The new technique avoids the complexity normally associated with bonding fluoroelastomers to Peek, yet produces a bond which is over 180% stronger.

Until now, bonding elastomers to Peek typically involved conventional abrasive treatments, acid etching, laser treatment or plasma techniques to prepare the engineering plastic's surface followed by the application of epoxy adhesive.

The strongest bonds achieved using these techniques have a fracture force in the region of 1400N.

The PPE process uses a new surface preparation technique that produces a stronger bond of approximately 4000N.

The bond strength is such that, in laboratory testing, the Peek dumb bells used to measure tensile strength begin to elongate before the bond fails.

Peek and fluoroelastomer composites are commonly used in process engineering, pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacture.

They offer the strength and temperature and chemical resistance of Peek engineering plastic with the chemical resistance and sealing capability of the fluoroelastomer.

Importantly the bonding action achieved between Peek and the fluoroelastomer compromises neither the physical performance properties nor the chemical resistance of both materials.

The new bonding technique is the result of extensive research over the past 12 months through an international collaborative effort involving PPE's technical skills, customers and polymer scientists.

According to PPE managing director Peter Cloney: "The Peek and fluoroelastomer bonding technique is a technological breakthrough that will have a significant effect on the productivity of manufacturing processes whereby the composite seals now offer the opportunity for extended service life and reduced plant downtime".

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