DuPont Performance Elastomers Demonstrates Suitability of Fluoroelastomers in Ethanol Fuel Blends
DuPont Performance Elastomers (DPE) will be very active at this year's ACS Rubber Division Fall Mini-Expo, showcasing Viton® fluoroelastomers made with APA, described as "a new breed of fluoroelastomer", multi-purpose Hypalon® synthetic rubber, Acsium® chlorosulfonated polyethylene, HVA-2 Peroxide Coagent for peroxide curing systems, and Neoprene polychloroprene, the enduring "workhorse of the industry".
Due to growing interest in the use of ethanol as a fuel, DPE recently conducted tests to document the changes in volume swell, tensile properties and permeation rates of several Viton® fluoroelastomers typically used in fuel blends. Viton® GF-S and GBLT-S fluoroelastomers will emerge as prime automotive bio-fuel system sealing candidates according to a paper entitled "Fuel and Permeation Resistance of Fluoroelastomers to Ethanol Blends," by DPE Scientist Ronald D. Stevens. He reports that Viton® GF-S showed the lowest permeation rate of the various Viton® types tested in fuel and ethanol blends, while Viton® GBLT-S demonstrated the best balance of lower swell and permeation of all the low temperature types, with static sealing capability below -40°C.
On October 11, DPE will also participate with DESMA in an open house at its North America Headquarters (Hebron, Kentucky) to demonstrate improved injection molding of a new fully automated four cavity gasket mold fed by DESMA's FlowControl sequential valve gated cold runner block. In the demonstration, the flashless, wasteless, all automatic process will produce gaskets of Viton® GBL-S fluoroelastomer, illustrating the fast demolding and productivity advantages of this specialty APA technology polymer.
Thin barrier layer fuel hose extrusions
From the broad range of Viton® polymers, DPE will also highlight Viton® VTR-9209 and VTR-9217 fluoroelastomers for fuel hose applications. These new specialty FKM types offer improved resistance to petroleum fuels, bio-fuels and fuel blends, combined with the processing ease of standard FKM. They offer the ability to produce thin barrier layer extrusions with improved resistance to pin-holes.
The end-use result, claims DPE, is more consistent tube and hose, and seals offering low compression set combined with improved seal force retention for more robust service lifetimes.
About DuPont Performance Elastomers
DuPont Performance Elastomers, a global supplier of specialty elastomers with headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont. The company is an industry leader in chloroelastomers and fluorinated elastomers, serving the automotive, chemical, petrochemical, semiconductor, food and pharmaceutical processing, construction, general rubber and wire and cable industries.
*Information relative to FCN 510 and FCN 539 can be reviewed at FDA's website of effective notifications for food contact substances: http://cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-fcn.html/
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