QUADRANT EPP AIMS HIGH WITH NEW LOW-FRICTION, LOW-WEAR STOCK SHAPES FOR SEALS AND BEARINGS

Tielt, Belgium – June, 2007 – Stock shapes manufacturer Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products (Quadrant EPP) has extended its Fluorosint® range of proprietary high performance PTFE-based shapes for machining with a grade that can operate in extreme environments at temperatures anywhere from -240°C to +260°C.

Fluorosint® HPV is intended for applications such as seals and bearings that demand high wear resistance and low friction. Finished products may come up against mating surfaces such as 316 stainless steels (austenitic stainless steels with superior corrosion resistance), aluminium, mild steel, brass and even other plastics. It is available in the form of rod, tube and sheet, and can also be supplied in near net-shape form.

The Fluorosint® family is the result of a proprietary process and composition yielding properties not normally attainable in reinforced PTFE. In particular, the materials offer an excellent combination of low frictional properties and high dimensional stability.

Advanced Market Manager Ed Alvarez says Fluorosint® HPV has properties above and beyond those of Quadrant’s two existing Fluorosint family members. Fluorosint® FFM-500 offers excellent deformation resistance and very low CLTE (Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion) for a PTFE compound,” he says. “However, to attain these properties, the 500 grade gives up some of its wear-life properties in some applications. Another traditional grade, LF-207, has better wear performance and is FDA compliant, but does not have the dimensional stability under load and other properties of the 500 grade.

Our target was to develop a PTFE product that combines the best of these existing grades, with enhanced wear resistance, dimensional stability and a lower coefficient of friction.”

Fluorosint® HPV has a dynamic coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of 0.14 – 0.15, and a K-Factor (an indication of wear resistance) of 25,000. Rockwell hardness is R54. Parts can be used with or without external lubrication, allowing them to wear evenly without any erratic motion in low speed start-stop applications that require zero stick-slip. It is highly suitable for dynamic seals and bearings, and is ideal for non-lubricated, high bearing load components intended for use in extreme environments where metals fail due to erosion and corrosion.

Wear behaviour is superior to bronze, powdered metals and steel, and the new product has the additional clear advantage over metals that it does not rust. Its ability to function without the need for lubricants helps keep products clean and is also a cost saver. The wear resistance of the material offers the benefit of extending time between maintenance and replacement of bearing and wear components.

Alvarez says the product outperforms traditional PTFE based materials not only in terms of friction and wear, but also in resistance to deformation and chemical attack. It can be used in both alkaline and acidic environments.

Fluorosint HPV is also FDA compliant, making it an ideal choice for bearings and seals in food processing equipment. A major advantage is that it is not affected by steam or aggressive cleaning agents.

“Fluorosint® HPV out-performs many other engineering polymers,” adds Alvarez.” Most nylon, PET and PBT bearing-grade products are limited to light load applications. Dimensional stability of many nylon bearings is compromised by high water absorption, while thermoplastic polyesters can’t match fluoropolymers for temperature resistance and load bearing capabilities.” The negligible moisture uptake of Fluorosint® HPV means parts exhibit negligible swell across their operating range, allowing engineers to specify very tight clearances for bearings. Tighter clearances reduce the likelihood of debris entering the bearing housing and abrading the internal components of equipment– once again extending maintenance intervals.

Reader enquiries

Quadrant EPP
Hardstrasse 5
5600 Lenzburg
SWITZERLAND
Switzerland
+ 41 62 8858 150
contact@​qplas.com
http://epp.quadrantplastics.com

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Notes for editors

About Quadrant EPP

Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products (Quadrant EPP) is the world's leading manufacturer of engineering plastics in stock shapes (rod, plate, tube) for machining. Other specialities include custom nylon castings and finished parts. Quadrant EPP's catalogue of General and Advanced Engineering Plastics covers the broadest range (in terms of materials and dimensions) of standard and custom shapes for machining. Products are available through a worldwide network of branch offices, technical support centres and authorized dealers.

Learn more about Quadrant EPP at www.quadrantplastics.com

About the Quadrant group

Quadrant, a global leader in high-performance polymer materials in the form of semi-finished and finished products with locations in 18 countries, generates annual sales of over CHF 800 million. The specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites manufactured and marketed by more than 2’400 employees worldwide are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a growing number of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. Together with leaders in a wide range of customer markets, Quadrant is continuously developing new areas of application. Thanks to its clear strategic orientation and focus, Quadrant has generated substantial added value for customers and shareholders since it was established in 1996 and is well prepared to continue expanding its market leadership in future.