Polymer poppets improve valve performance
A
Victrex USA product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 1, 2008
PPL suggests replacing the metal poppets in the valves with poppets made of Victrex Peek polymer, a high-performance thermoplastic.
Manufacturers of check valves and pressure relief valves for hydraulic and pneumatic compressors are constantly looking for ways to improve the performance of their products.
Valve performance, more than any other component, determines compressor efficiency.
To achieve improvements such as reduced fluid leakage, noise reduction, longer valve life and cost reduction, a number of manufacturers are turning to Performance Plastics for assistance.
PPL suggests replacing the metal poppets in the valves with poppets made of Victrex Peek polymer, a high-performance thermoplastic.
Substituting plastic for metal maintains strength while improving corrosion resistance, reducing weight and allowing for greater design flexibility.
Joe Simmons, Sales Engineer at PPL said "The polymer's superior combination of properties, including temperature performance, chemical resistance, friction and wear performance, as well as impact resistance make it a highly cost-effective solution for improving performance".
Victrex Peek polymer allows the valves to operate in high and low-pressure applications.
"This is important for our customers" Simmons said.
"It increases the number of applications in which their valves and compressors can be used".
"Having a wide operating range can improve customer satisfaction and lead to repeat sales".
One of the primary reasons why valves fail are the fissures brought on by repeated impact pressure.
"Victrex Peek polymer has superior impact resistance", said Simmons.
"We have had applications where Victrex Peek polymer has passed up to 20 million impact cycles".
Metal poppets have always posed a number of challenges.
They can be difficult and costly to machine and the sealing surface can be inconsistent due to difficulties in machining defect-free seat surfaces.
Victrex Peek polymer can conform to the mating seat surface, allowing it to provide better sealing performance and less leakage than metal poppets in many applications.
It also offers excellent wear resistance and improves wear conditions on the mating seat surface.
"Wear and damage to the mating seat surface is an important issue with metal poppets", Simmons said.
"Our customers have also experienced a significant decrease in rework of units on their production line caused by leakage of the metal poppets".
"Rework of pumps and valve assemblies is both costly and time consuming on the production line".
"Converting to a poppet made from Victrex Peek polymer has provided tremendous improvements in our customers' productivity".
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