PVDF Compression Moulding
With a high-cross section and large inner-diameter, this component would be too expensive to manufacture from a sheet or rod. However, compression moulding a part of this size is no easy feat.
By approaching the moulding from first-principles and slowly iterating and fine-tuning the heat and pressure combinations, we were able to ensure that a consistent, machinable part was produced, free from blowholes and dimensionally stable even after extensive machining.
PEEK in Coffee Machines
Coffee machines pass high-pressure steam through valves and must ensure that the resulting brew is both hot and flavourful. However, the combination of high temperature and pressure deforms most polymers. Meanwhile, metallic valves impart a metallic taste to the coffee.
PEEK valves are the go-to choice for high-end coffee machines. The polymer is easily able to withstand the conditions of pressure and temperature while maintaining dimensional integrity. Being chemically inert, it is both food-safe and imparts no taste to the coffee, resulting in the perfect brew.
Short Neutral Section Development for Railway Applications
Overhead powerlines for railways draw their power from sub-stations situated about 100 kilometres apart from each other. However, power lines from each station need to be insulated from the other lest there be a short-circuit. This calls for an insulating section that can not only withstand elevated voltages of 25KV, but can also take the load of the railway pantograph constantly brushing against it as moves from one sub-station’s power to the next.
PTFE exhibits both the characteristics of high breakdown voltage and high wear resistance. The short neutral section is constructed to bear high voltage loads and to service the effects of abrasion, weathering, and extreme tensile loads.
Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) Tubing
Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) has the unique property of being impervious to water and dust, while still allowing vapour and gases to pass through it. This valve-like characteristic makes it invaluable as a membrane. However, to bring the same properties to a tube can be challenging, as the same expansion process used in membranes will crush a raw PTFE tube.
By using a range of novel techniques, we have developed the ability to alter the surface of the PTFE tube such that it too acts like an ePTFE medium. This allows the tubes to be used in various filtration applications that require liquids passing through the tube to stay inside, while gases are expelled via the tube walls.
