May 11, 2004

By: Dale Simens
Website: http://www.bearing-n-bearings.com

Dupont Dow Elastomers Expands Viton Offering For Aggressive Powertrain Applications

DuPont Dow Elastomers will introduce two new types of Viton fluoroelastomers at the SAE World Congress March 6-9 in Cobo Hall in Detroit. Viton TBR and Viton IBR complement DuPont Dow's broad family of fluoroelastomer products for aggressive powertrain applications.

DuPont Dow will address functional requirements for such applications in a paper, New FKM Developments for Automotive Powertrain Applications, presented March 8 at the SAE Congress by Senior Technical SpecialistsTheresa Dobel and John Bauerle.Selecting the best fluoroelastomer for powertrain applications can be very complicated, said DuPont Dow Marketing Manager Chris Fisher.

Specifiers have to juggle many requirements that are difficult to satisfy with one product. What works in a valve stem seal might not necessarily work in a wheel bearing seal or in an automatic transmission seal. Viton TBR and Viton IBR offer specifiers a wider range of product performance to meet their unique needs.

Viton TBR offers excellent base resistance and superior processing characteristics, in addition to the high-temperature performance and outstanding chemical resistance of Viton A and B types. Viton TBR is recommended for use in applications with very aggressive lubricants and greases, such as wheel bearing and differential seals, as well as engine crankshaft, camshaft, and valve stem seals when total base resistance is required.

For applications in less aggressive lubricants and additive packages, but still requiring better base resistance than standard fluoroelastomers, Viton IBR offers improved base resistance and a good balance of properties.

Requiring optimum base resistance in all fluoroelastomers may lead to over-engineering or obtaining significantly greater resistance than actually needed for a specific application, Fisher said.

For example, we have found that aerating oils can neutralize the effect of the amine based additives, which reduces the need for total base resistance. This makes Viton IBR a workable - and economical - solution for many in-engine seals.

For extremely demanding applications that require significantly greater low-temperature performance and increased hydrocarbon resistance, as well as improved base resistance, Viton GFLT and Viton ETP can provide the required performance to deliver long seal life.

DuPont Dow, a global supplier of specialty elastomers, is a joint venture between DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company and is headquartered in Wilmington, Del. It had sales of more than $1 billion in 1999. Formed in 1996, the company marries more than 60 years of experience with new technology to bring innovative solutions to many industries including automotive, chemical processing, aerospace and pharmaceuticals.

About The Author:

Dale Simens is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.bearing-n-bearings.com.  Keep things running smoothly with ball bearings, roller bearings, ball thrust bearings and tapered bearings.