TAGS: Automotive Sustainability and Bioplastics
This is a sponsored article by Chemours.
The Chemours Viton™ range is the top choice when consumers are looking for fluoroelastomers. Products made with Viton™ retain several properties in the most extreme environments, including:
- flexibility,
- strength,
- shape,
- chemical resistance, and
- sealing properties
Chemours is ushering in a transformative era for fluoropolymers. The company is set to introduce a new manufacturing process for its Advanced Polymer Architecture (APA) grades. This eliminates the use of fluorinated surfactants. Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers help stay ahead of evolving industry regulations without compromising performance.
Learn how new Viton™ FWRD APA grades ensure uninterrupted supply and environmental commitments. You will also see how the new grades show comparable performance to the existing ones across various parameters.
Chemours Viton™: Transforming Chemistry with a Unique Approach
Viton™ fluoroelastomer was introduced in 1957 to meet the aerospace industry's needs for a high-performance sealing elastomer. Viton™ is widely used in the automotive industry and has been known for its outstanding heat and chemical resistance for over 65 years. It is a leader in the emerging markets in advanced electronics, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.
Chemours Viton™ in Emerging Market Applications
Environmental leadership commitments
- Climate:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 60% by 2030
- Journey to net-zero operations by 2050
- Water:
- Reduce air and water process emissions of fluorinated organic chemicals by 99% or greater by 2030
- Waste:
- Reduce landfill volume intensity by 70% by 2030
Viton™ APA (Advanced Polymer Architecture) Fluoroelastomers
Chemours Advanced Performance Materials is dedicated to delivering products that not only excel in meeting specific requirements but also ensure a consistent supply amidst a
continually changing regulatory environment.
To address the present industry demands, Chemours has revolutionized its manufacturing process for advanced polymer architecture fluoroelastomers, creating Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers. Whilst eliminating the use of a fluorinated surfactant, these do not compromise performance. This groundbreaking process innovation further enhances their established tradition of product excellence and leadership within the industry.
Chemours Viton™ FWRD APA Grades
Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers find indispensable use in seals, gaskets, o-rings,
hoses, and tubes, particularly in the following critical sectors:
- Automotive
- Semiconductors
- Industrial manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Aerospace
Customer evaluations and internal assessments have verified that Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers produced at a commercial-scale facility exhibit performance levels on par with the existing grades.
The full-scale commercial launch and the start of the new process transition are planned for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Chemours: Leader in innovation in fluoroelastomers
Chemours ensures uninterrupted customer supply in an evolving regulatory environment while maintaining optimal performance.
Chemours Leading Innovation in APA Grades
Marketing information milestones
Marketing Information Milestones
These year-wise milestones represent that the new Viton™ FWRD APA grades are progressing through customer evaluation and qualification towards commercialization. The new grades will maintain the well-known nomenclature by adding the letter 'A' after the name during the transition phase, e.g., GF-200S A.
Customer testing has confirmed that these new grades, manufactured with a new process at a commercial scale, have comparable performance to the existing grades.
Technical Data Overview of Viton™ Fluoroelastomers
New Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers demonstrated comparable typical uncured and cured properties. Below are data representing select grades across the Viton™ APA portfolio.
Viton™ GBL-S grades: Comparing properties of current vs. new process
Property Comparison of Viton™ GBL-200S and Viton™ GBL-600S — Current vs. New Process
Viton™ GLT-S grades: Comparing properties of current vs. new process
Property Comparison of Viton™ GLT-200S and Viton™ GLT-600S — Current vs. New Process
Viton™ ETP-600S grades: Comparing properties of current vs. new process
Property Comparison of Viton™ Extreme™ ETP-600S Grades — Current vs. New Process
Compression set relaxation in air @ 200°C (392°F)
Compression set relaxation refers to the gradual recovery or reduction in deformation that occurs in a material after it has been subjected to compression (with pressure) and then the compressive force is removed.
New Viton™ FWRD APA Fluoroelastomers Demonstrated Sealing Properties Equivalent to those of the Existing Grades
Automotive fluid aging test
The automotive fluid aging test is a procedure designed to assess how well fluids used in vehicles, such as engine oils, transmission fluids, and coolants, perform over time under specific conditions. These tests are crucial for evaluating automotive fluids' longevity, stability, and overall effectiveness in maintaining their intended properties.
The aging test typically involves subjecting the fluid to accelerated conditions that simulate the stress and environmental factors the fluid might experience during everyday use. This accelerated testing helps predict how the fluid will perform over an extended period.
New Viton™ FWRD APA Fluoroelastomers Demonstrated Equivalent Resistance to Common Automotive Fluids
Advanced rheology data
Advanced rheology data refers to detailed and sophisticated information obtained through the study of rheology — the science that deals with the flow and deformation of materials. Rheological properties are crucial in understanding how materials respond to applied forces and how they deform or flow under different conditions.
Rubber process analyzer (RPA)
New Viton™ FWRD APA Fluoroelastomers Show Comparable Results on Both Polymer and Compound
Capillary rheometer studies
New Viton™ FWRD APA Fluoroelastomers Show Comparable Rheology Behavior in the Whole Range of Shear Rate
Injection Molding Testing Process
Injection molding testing was done in three ways:
- Each compound was injected 25 times into the 4-cavity O-ring mold at constant injection pressure. Injection time was recorded, and the processing was rated (mold filling and mold release).
- The weight of the injected O-rings after short shots of 1, 2, and 3 seconds into the mold was measured.
- A cord was ejected into the air, and the diameter was measured to compare the die swell.
Using Viton™ GBL-200S results to represent portfolio
Injection time
The graph below shows that the injection time, mold filling, and demolding results of GBL-200S are comparable with the new process GBL-200S A.
Comparing Current Injection Molding Results with New Process
Injected O-ring weight
The weight of injected O-rings is comparable.
Injected O-ring Weight Results of GBL-200S are Comparable with the New Process GBL-200S A
Cord diameter
The cord diameter for the current versus the new processes is only slightly different.
Small Difference in Cord Diameter of the Current vs. the New Process
Shrinkage
O-rings produced with the polymer made with the new process show comparable shrinkage.
O-rings Produced with the Polymer Made with the New Process Show Comparable Shrinkage
Conclusion
Chemours innovation for the Viton™ APA manufacturing process uses a new proprietary technology to produce Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers with comparable performance in terms of physical, and mechanical, sealing, and processing characteristics.
Assurance of continuous supply: Viton™ FWRD APA fluoroelastomers will ensure a continuous supply amidst an evolving regulatory environment while maintaining optimal performance. The commercial launch and start of the transition to this new process are planned for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Feel free to
contact the Chemours team to discuss more about Viton™ FWRD APA grade fluoroelastomers.
Viton™ Range by Chemours
DISCLAIMER: All images, tables, and graphs used in this article are copyright of Chemours.