Viton® News 1 - Article 13

DuPont Dow Introduces New Base-Resistant Products Based on Advanced Polymer Architecture (APA)

This article is about the Viton® Extreme™ high performance specialty products which have now been developed based on the Advanced Polymer Architecture (APA). They will meet some of the exacting performance requirements that are not being met by traditional high performance elastomers.

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News Release from Dupont Dow Elastomers

10/8/2003

Power plant needs high performance specialty products DuPont Dow Elastomers has introduced Viton® Extreme™ high performance specialty products based on Advanced Polymer Architecture (APA) that are designed to meet the demanding performance requirements currently not met by traditional high performance elastomers.

Christopher Fisher, marketing manager for DuPont Dow, said, "Viton® Extreme™ fluoroelastomers combine the excellent thermal resistance of Viton® with the unique resistance to chemicals and to environments that have historically exceeded the performance of conventional fluoroelastomers. Viton® Extreme™ products allow specifiers to confidently select parts used in highly caustic applications."

Viton® Extreme™ TBR-605CS (developmental polymer VTR-8802) is a new, Totally Base-Resistant Viton® polymer that is inherently resistant to caustic chemicals and provides superior resistance to hydrocarbon oils and acids. TBR-605CS, a new TFE/Propylene copolymer, utilizes APA technology and a revolutionary new bisphenol cure site. Compared to existing TFE/Propylene polymers, TBR-605CS provides improved processing and lower volume swell in hydrocarbon oils. TBR-605CS also has superior compression set resistance, good metal adhesion and good steam resistance.

Fisher said DuPont Dow foresees strong interest and various applications in the oil and gas exploration, chemical processing, utilities, automotive and heavy duty/off-highway markets. Due to its chemical structure, Viton® Extreme™ TBR-605CS, like all TFE/Propylene-based products, is not recommended for automotive or aircraft fuels.

Viton® Extreme™ ETP-600S, also made with APA technology, is an upgrade to ETP-900 with significantly improved processing and end-use properties while maintaining the excellent resistance to acids, hydrocarbons and low molecular weight esters, ketones and aldehydes. Like its predecessor, ETP-900, Viton® Extreme™ ETP-600S has low-temperature flexibility (Tg-10°C), and is inherently resistant to base attack and volume changes in highly caustic solutions, amines and hot water. ETP-600S also has improved compression set resistance, and physical properties, all of which can improve seal performance and seal life.

The real difference between the new Viton® Extreme™ ETP-600S and ETP-900 is improved processing. ETP-600S exhibits improved mold flow, faster cure rates, and improvements in mold release and mold fouling. The combination of improved processing characteristics should result in more trouble-free production processes. As a result, processors can economically manufacture a larger volume of parts for high-end applications.

In complicated environments and chemically-aggressive applications where standard FKMs or FEPMs are not an option, ETP-600S is the fluoroelastomer of choice. Viton® Extreme™ ETP- 600S truly is the best of both worlds.

About DuPont Dow Elastomers

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

Next Article: New Viton® Fluoroelastomers Made With Advanced Polymer Architecture Upgrade Chemical Process Sealing

Viton® Extreme™ and Viton® are registered trademarks of DuPont Dow Elastomers.