Pioneering Moldflon-peek Compound Controls Cold Flow In High Load Applications
German based, ElringKlinger – Engineered Plastics, has developed a pioneering process that combines their unique Moldflon™ melt processable fluoropolymer and PEEK in order to control the issue of cold flow in high load applications. The result is Moldflon™ MF40002.
PTFE is a popular material for use in valves and fittings due largely to its universal chemical resistance. Under pressure however, in applications subjected to high loads such as valve seat rings, the material tends to creep.
Moldflon™ MF40002 has ten times the ultimate elongation than other PTFE+PEEK compounds and does not suffer some of the drawbacks associated with the low ultimate elongation and high elastic modulus of virgin PEEK materials.
When asked to comment on the benefits of Moldflon™ MF 40002, UK Sales Manager and valve industry specialist at ElringKlinger, Dave Sampson said:
“The Moldflon™ PEEK compound MF40002 by ElringKlinger offers numerous possibilities for applications that require polymer solutions to perform under high loads.
“With Moldflon™ MF40002, we have managed to develop a material with a higher heat deflection temperature than that of traditional filled PTFE compounds but exhibiting significantly higher elongation and flexibility than virgin-grade PEEK compounds.
“In a valve seat application for example, introducing some flexibility between the seat and its counterpart helps to produce a more forgiving interface more tolerant of dimensional variations.
“In addition to the ultimate elongation being nearly ten times higher, the structure is significantly more homogeneous than that of other PTFE-PEEK compounds which may help to produce sealing solutions with reduced fugitive emissions in the future.
“In the light of these advantages, it has been possible to transfer the application experiences gained over years of automotive valve engineering to process valves and industrial valves markets.”
ElringKlinger offers Moldflon™ MF40002 in sizes up to a diameter of 850mm. Given the material is both machinable and melt processable, it is suitable for use in small scale as well as large volume manufacturing processes and has already been adopted by some leading valve OEMs.
