Material & Design Solutions Launches New Low-Compression Set Perfluoroelastomers For Chemical Processing Industry

Material & Design Solutions (MDS), a leading supplier of high-performance elastomeric and thermoplastic components for critical service applications in the oil and gas, fluid handling, and semiconductor markets, has launched a new line of low-compression set perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) compounds for the chemical processing and refining industries. The company’s new Petroz perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) compounds deliver the lowest compression set in the industry and are effective alternatives to Green, Tweed & Co.’s Chemraz 505 and 510 perfluoroelastomers, and DuPont’s Kalrez 6375 and 3018 FFKM compounds.

“These new compounds are a major step change for the class of FFKM materials for the chemical processing and refining industries,” said John Jorgensen, president of Material & Design Solutions. “The Petroz series sets a new benchmark for compression set performance and specifically helps our customers meet the challenges of high-pressure, high-temperature environments and extended lifetime service requirements.”

The first grade, Petroz 375, is a 75-durometer grade with a compression set of 14% after 70 hours at 200°C. The 90-durometer grade, Petroz 390, exhibits a compression set of 10.5% after 70 hours at 200°C. Lower compression set results in improved sealing performance in high-pressure, high-temperature environments over extended operating times. These low-compression set Petroz compounds are ideal for o-rings and custom molded parts in mechanical seals, pumps, and valves.

Both Petroz compounds deliver tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus that is similar to competing perfluoroelastomers. They also exhibit strong resistance to a broad range of chemical media.

The two new Petroz compounds have undergone extensive field testing over the last two years in downhole tool applications. The new perfluoroelastomers are being used in o-ring applications by leading petroleum service companies throughout the world.

MDS is also developing other perfluoroelastomer options for chemical processing and refining use including a rapid gas decompression (RGD)-resistant grade.