In the future, a commercially available fluorine elastomer sealing ring ought to include a fluorine-free high-performance elastomer with adapted antioxidants
Users of poly and per fluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals”, are underneath pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also impact the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous.
Fraunhofer professionals initiated the “HATE-Fluor” venture at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications. Various industries can advantage from this, such as manufacturers of semi-finished and finished parts in addition to enterprise’s in mechanical engineering industry, medical engineering, clean room and semiconductor technology, chemical procedure technology and electrical applications.
In the future, a commercially available fluorine elastomer sealing ring could consist of a fluorine-free high-performance elastomer with tailored antioxidants, formulations and a specially evolved coating.
Many enterprise’s are seeking for options to poly- and per fluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), as their viable uses in the future are uncertain and voluntary commitments are predicted. PFAS are determined in regular products consisting of coated pans, pizza boxes and outdoor jackets, in addition to in medical engineering, heat pumps and batteries. While there are already fluorine-free substitutes for some everyday applications, there is a great demand for new individual solutions to replace fluoropolymers for technical applications that need to face off to excessive conditions.
In the newly initiated “HATE-Fluor” venture, teams of professionals at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF and the Fraunhofer Institute for production Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM will develop fluorine-free coated elastomers and provide customizable modular solutions to satisfy the developing market needs.
The modular structure of this system, such as paint and plasma coatings, is supposed to cover a wide spectrum within the phase of fluorine alternative seals. The target properties are decided by the areas of application of the fluoroelastomers which can be being replaced in the venture.
