Viton® News 1 - Article 8

DuPont Dow Elastomers Introduces Advanced Polymer Architecture For Viton®

To purchase Viton® o-rings and seals, call Problem Solving Products at (303) 758-2728.

News Release from Dupont Dow Elastomers

10/15/2001

Rubber Expo 2001 DuPont Dow Elastomers has announced the development of a new generation of Viton® fluoroelastomers made with Advanced Polymer Architecture, offering a combination of improved processability and final part performance not previously available in specialty fluoroelastomers. Resulting from a $50 million investment in proprietary new polymerization and curing technology, the new Viton® products meet rigorous new sealing requirements in the automotive, chemical processing, aerospace and semiconductor industries.

"Our technology goal was to overcome current limitations in molding and demolding performance, and to improve properties such as compression set resistance and resistance to aggressive additives," said Bob Bernacki, business director Viton®, DuPont Dow Elastomers. "I'm delighted to report that the new Viton® fluoroelastomer products demonstrate superior processing and end-use performance based on the results of preliminary customer trials."

Viton® fluoroelastomers made with Advanced Polymer Architecture will be available commercially in 2002. These new products are completely new peroxide cured types utilizing improved cure site monomer technology. They herald a "new era" in [Viton®] fluoroelastomer specialties by providing faster curing and shorter cycle times without postcure, and significantly enhanced demolding performance, all of which contribute to higher customer productivity.

In addition, the new technology has made superior compression set resistance possible without any loss of fluid or heat resistance, and extended durability with better tear strength and elongation at break. Availability of new technology peroxide cured Viton® fluoroelastomers is expected by early second quarter 2002, closely followed by low-temperature, fluid and base resistant specialties.

The major monomer compositions of the new technology polymers are designed to be very similar to the current [Viton®] commercial grades, according to Dr. Stephen Bowers, the DuPont Dow technology associate who has led the Advanced Polymer Architecture project in Europe. For customers, this means grades can be substituted easily, thus providing an immediate step change in processing and end-use performance with a minimum of requalification. The new series of peroxide curable Viton® made with Advanced Polymer Architecture Viton® GF, GBL, GLT and GFLT grades, will be identified with an "S".

A new polymerization unit is being built at the DuPont Dow facility production facility in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, where Advanced Polymer Architecture will be applied to the full current range of specialty Viton® fluoroelastomer products. According to Bowers, the new technology gives fast cure rates and provides molded parts that have all of the attributes of the original products combined with improved physical properties, excellent heat resistance and very low compression set with either no postcure or a standard postcure.

About DuPont Dow Elastomers

DuPont Dow Elastomers, a global supplier of specialty elastomers, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, is a joint venture between the DuPont Company and The Dow Chemical Company, with more than $1 billion (USD) in sales. The company is the industry leader in chloroelastomers, ethylene elastomers and fluorinated elastomers, serving the automotive, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, construction, general rubber and wire and cable industries.

Viton® seals and o-rings solve problems for original equipment manufacturers

Our chief engineer, Bill Weinberger, has helped many original equipment manufacturers solve their sealing problems with Viton® seals and o-rings. The main advantage to Viton® seals and o-rings is that they work with temperatures and pressures outside the normal range. Before designing your seals or o-rings, It is important to know the exact grade of Viton® needed for your application.

To purchase Viton® seals and o-rings or obtain technical assistance, call Problem Solving Products, the seal specialists, at (303) 758-2728.

Information on Viton® seals and o-rings.

Next Article: DuPont Dow Elastomers Introduces New Viton® and Nordel® IP Products At Rubber Expo 2001

Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont Dow Elastomers.