Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Victrex USA | Subject: Victrex Peek polymer
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 15 January 2008
Polymer springs survive in the oil
industry
Victrex Peek polymer resists virtually all aggressive chemicals, solvents and lubricants used in the oil and gas industry.
When the Clifford Spring company wanted to develop a line of nonmetallic energy absorbing springs for seals and backup rings used in the oil and gas industry, it chose Victrex Peek polymer The weakness of seals has always been the necessary addition of a metallic energy absorber
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 31 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Problems can occur if the seal wears and the metallic spring comes in contact with the shaft.
This can cause irreparable damage to the shaft.
According to Robert Navo, Global Applications Manager for Oil and Gas at Victrex, "The characteristic of springs made with Victrex Peek polymer is that as the seal wears and the spring comes into contact with the shaft, the spring will not score the shaft".
"The major benefit of using Victrex Peek polymer for the energy absorbers is that it eliminates the corrosion that can occur with ferrous-based components" according to John Clifford, Managing Director at Clifford Springs.
"Victrex Peek polymer resists virtually all aggressive chemicals, solvents and lubricants used in the oil and gas industry".
"Also, if the seal becomes worn and the energy absorber component is made from the same material as the seal itself, then there will be no damage to the shaft".
An additional benefit of using Victrex Peek polymer for the energy absorbers is that the overall weight of the seals is reduced due to the elimination of metallic components".
"And there are no issues with differing rates of thermal expansion as both the seal and the energy absorber have the same coefficient of thermal expansion", added Clifford.
The energy absorber spring can be manufactured as a totally encapsulated item, which prevents the seal from lipping out, thus prolonging the life of the seal.
It can also be manufactured as a garter type spring, which can be added to the seal as a secondary operation, following moulding or machining of the seal.
Using Victrex Peek polymer for the garter type spring means that monofilaments can be produced in virtually any colour, allowing instant identification and ensuring the correct energy absorber has been fitted to the seal.
Energy absorbers made with Victrex Peek polymer are available with outside diameters of 1.4mm up to 10mm.
The maximum single length that can be produced is 2.4m.
This equates to a spring diameter of approximately 750mm.
Multiple springs can be joined end to end to give a larger spring diameter.
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