New materials to outperform other PTFE materials up to 40% on bearing performance measures

Quadrant’s range of enhanced PTFE materials available in full production sizes has been broadened with the addition of two new grades: Fluorosint HPV and Fluorosint MT-01. FDA compliant Fluorosint HPV is a mica-filled high performance bearing grade that can deliver a pressure velocity (PV) performance improvement of more than 40 % over other PTFE materials according to in-house tests conducted by Quadrant.. Parts made of Fluorosint HPV can withstand higher load and velocity while delivering better wear resistance, enabling longer part life compared to existing FDA compliant PTFE-based materials. The product was especially developed to meet the demands of high performance bearing applications where other, low-tech PTFE formulations would exhibit premature wear or can not perform. These characteristics together with FDA compliancy for food and pharmaceutical applications open up interesting new options for engineers and manufacturers. Dr. Stephan Glander, Global Director Research & Market Development Quadrant EPP comments: “Simply put, parts machined from Fluorosint HPV last longer than those made from many of the alternative filled PTFE materials on the market today. Fluorosint HPV can replace bronze, steel and powdered metal parts and deliver performance gains in wear life and system performance. Typical applications include thrust washers, wear guides, seals and food processing and preparation equipment.” The second new grade addition, Fluorosint MT-01, is a unique material that combines exceptionally high temperature resistance with low deformation and low CLTE (Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion). “Engineers often need to balance compliance of PTFE, its ability to both deform and retain rigidity, with precise control, even at elevated temperatures. Fluorosint MT-01 is perfectly suited to perform under these conditions,” Dr. Glander adds. Flourosint MT-01 was developed for high temperature applications such as bearings, seals and wear surfaces where higher loads are present. Ovens, dryers and linear positioning equipment exposed to elevated temperatures are all ideal applications for this ultra-performance grade. Quadrant offers these materials in a wide range of rods, sheets and tubular shapes for machining. Design and manufacturing of finished parts is also available. The Fluorosint range of enhanced PTFE materials, initially introduced in 2007, was specifically developed by Quadrant to meet the performance requirements that unfilled and low-tech, filled PTFE based polymers can not provide for high performance bearing applications. Fluorosint's unique properties are the result of a proprietary process in which synthetically manufactured mica is chemically linked to PTFE. This bonding results in properties not normally attainable in reinforced PTFE. Fluorosint grades offer an excellent combination of low frictional properties and dimensional stability. Each Fluorosint material grade has been developed to excel in specific, highly demanding bearing and seal applications. While each of these materials possesses the chemical resistance and compliance of PTFE, they all offer particular benefits that give designer clear performance advantages. The full range of Fluorosint material grades and their respective features and benefits are summarised below. Fluorosint HPV – High performance bearings, bushings and seals where higher loads and minimal wear are required: • Food and pharmaceutical sector compliant • Excellent wear resistance • Unmatched bearing performance Fluorosint MT-01 – Extreme service seals and wear parts at elevated temperature where strength and stability are critical: • Excellent resistance to deformation • Good wear resistance • Very dimensionally stable Fluorosint 500 - Higher pressure seals and wear parts where precision is critical: • Outstanding dimensional stability – approximating aluminium • Low deformation under load Fluorosint 207 – Lower pressure seats and seals where virgin PTFE fails and food or pharmaceutical sector compliance is required: • Food and pharmaceutical sector compliant • Very good wear resistance • Very low coefficient of friction