Fluororubber Sealing Ring With Embedded Resin for Low-Friction Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluorine rubber, despite its excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance, has high lubricity with general lubricants, making it difficult to improve slidability using conventional methods, and lubricants peel off easily, preventing effective sealing and sliding performance.

Innovation Solution

A sealing member composed of 100 parts by weight of fluorine rubber and 0.5 to 50 parts by weight of a particulate resin, where the resin includes a compatible portion for compatibility with fluorine rubber and a lubrication portion for improved slidability, with a Shore A hardness of at least 80 on the sliding surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorine rubber is used for sealing members, then heat resistance and chemical resistance are improved, but slidability deteriorates due to high lubricity with general lubricants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistance and chemical resistanceVSAvoidslidability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite material system consisting of fluorine rubber as the base material and particulate resin (containing PTFE and/or polyethylene) as the lubricating component. This composite structure allows the fluorine rubber to maintain its excellent heat and chemical resistance while the particulate resin provides the necessary slidability. The particulate resin is incorporated at 1-50 parts by weight per 100 parts of fluorine rubber, creating a multi-functional material that resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If lubricant is coated on fluorine rubber surface, then slidability is improved, but lubricant retention deteriorates due to peeling off

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveslidabilityVSAvoidlubricant retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a solid particulate resin (PTFE and/or polyethylene) that acts as a self-replenishing lubricant. Unlike liquid lubricants that peel off, the particulate resin remains embedded in the fluorine rubber matrix and continuously provides lubrication during sliding. The particulate resin particles are distributed throughout the rubber and on the surface, ensuring long-term slidability without the retention issues of coated lubricants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If sufficient amount of lubricant is dispersed in fluorine rubber, then slidability is improved, but dispersion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveslidabilityVSAvoiddispersion difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the particulate resin content (1-50 parts by weight per 100 parts of fluorine rubber) to optimize both slidability and manufacturability. Within this range, the particulate resin can be effectively dispersed in the fluorine rubber using conventional mixing equipment. The Shore A hardness is controlled at 70-90 to ensure proper dispersion and processing characteristics while maintaining the lubricating effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The sealing member achieves both sealing and slidability by ensuring the resin remains on the surface, providing durable and long-lasting lubrication, even when the sliding surface is worn.

Implementation Method 1

rubber is capable of ensuring a sealing property by its own rubber elasticity (repulsive force)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRubber elasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lubrication portion of the particulate resin... it is possible to impart high slidability to the sealing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3594307B1Sealing member
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 RIKEN CO LTD
  • EP3594307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3594307B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3594307B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Object] To provide a ring-shaped sealing member having both the sealing property and slidability. [Solving Means] A sealing member is formed in a ring shape and has a sliding surface. The sealing member includes: 100 parts by weight of fluorine rubber; and 0.5 to 50 (inclusive) parts by weight of a particulate resin. The particulate resin includes a compatible portion and a lubrication portion, the compatible portion having compatibility with the fluorine rubber, the lubrication portion having lubricity with respect to the fluorine rubber. A Shore A hardness measured using the sliding surface as a pressing surface is not less than 80. In this sealing member, since rubber elasticity is achieved by the fluorine rubber, a favorable sealing property can be realized. Further, it is possible to impart high slidability to the sealing member by the action of the lubrication portion of the particulate resin. Therefore, this sealing member has both the sealing property and slidability.