In the world of industry, change is the only constant. How a business reacts to this volatility is critically important. One part of the solution is to identify areas where future-proofing is already possible, and invest in upgrades before problems start to appear. In semiconductor operations, sealing systems are typically a good place to start. Seals are often among the last considerations when searching for opportunities to improve on reliability, productivity, and running cost. However, with the development of chemically-resistant Perlast® FFKM materials, industry leaders around the world are taking the opportunity to upgrade their seals while the conditions are right.
Why Perlast®?
Perlast® is Precision Polymer Engineering’s range of perfluoroelastomer sealing materials. Effectively a rubber form of PTFE, Perlast® material grades offer almost universal chemical resistance. The ability of a seal to withstand aggressive chemicals without degradation is central to equipment reliability, particularly on lines with chemically challenging process media, or intensive clean-in-place (CIP) or steam-in-place (SIP) sterilisation regimes.
In test and in situ, Perlast® sealing components have demonstrated exceptional seal performance in the face of a wide range of acids, bases, solvents, fuels, and oils – even in long term exposure at high temperatures. The ability of Perlast® seals to maintain sealing effect under these conditions places Perlast® at the leading edge of polymer technology for all kinds of industries, ranging from the harsh environments of oil and gas exploration, through to pristine food and pharmaceutical production environments where purity is everything.
Extreme pH compatibility
Elastomeric materials used in industrial applications can be faced with all kinds of pH conditions, from extreme acidic to highly alkaline. Some sealing materials can perform to a good standard in acid or alkali, but Perlast® FFKM seals demonstrate exceptional compatibility across the full pH spectrum. Perlast® is resistant to degradation and swelling under such aggressive chemical environments, keeping the seal intact and operational, minimising the risk of seal failure, and cutting the cost and hassle of unscheduled downtime significantly.
Low leachability, high purity
When the purity of a product matters, special attention needs to be paid to the elastomers used within that process. Under particularly challenging chemical environments, elastomer materials can begin to break down and leach contaminants. This has clearly detrimental effects to the safety of the product. Perlast® FFKM has been formulated for low leachability in chemically aggressive operations, ensuring peace of mind for operators in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, and food and pharmaceutical processing.
Oxidation resistance
Particular industrial process environments which are rich in oxygen can be very corrosive to elastomers. Examples include combustion systems in aerospace applications and high performance motorsport. The deterioration and eventual breakdown of elastomer seals due to oxidation is a major contributing factor to the loss of sealing effect, and eventual seal failure. Perlast® FFKM has outstanding oxidation resistance, contributing to a more reliable sealing system which delivers excellent long term performance.
The chemical resistance of seals is concerning to engineers seeking a more reliable sealing system. Perlast® FFKM has been developed specifically to address these concerns, as a family of high performance material grades which reduce the need for frequent replacement, contributing to overall cost savings and significantly improved operational efficiency.
To find out more about the chemical properties of Perlast®, and discuss the right grade for your specific application, visit www.perlast.com, or get in touch with one of our sealing experts for a no-obligation consultation.