Perfluoroelastomer Seal Material Extraction Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perfluoroelastomer seal materials used in severe environments suffer from issues such as firm adhesion, staining, and corrosion due to the generation of low molecular weight and uncrosslinked polymer components during processing, which are difficult to remove, leading to operational challenges and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A perfluoroelastomer seal material with a weight loss of no more than 1% by weight after specific heat treatments and immersion in perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine, utilizing a solvent with a swelling rate of at least 50% to effectively remove low molecular weight components and improve adhesion strength and surface integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perfluoroelastomer is processed and subjected to second vulcanization to enhance performance, then heat resistance and chemical resistance are improved, but low molecular weight components and uncrosslinked polymer are generated causing firm adhesion and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful low molecular weight components and uncrosslinked polymer from the perfluoroelastomer seal material through a specific extraction process using perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine, thereby eliminating the adhesion and contamination problems while preserving the heat and chemical resistance properties
2Loss of substance
If conventional solvents are used to remove low molecular weight components, then some extraction occurs, but perfluoroelastomer does not swell sufficiently preventing effective removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction solvent by using perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine, which has specific molecular structure characteristics that enable it to swell perfluoroelastomer effectively, thereby achieving sufficient extraction of low molecular weight components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of low molecular weight components by first swelling the perfluoroelastomer matrix, allowing the harmful components to be extracted and then dried to achieve the desired performance
3Ease of manufacture
If low molecular weight components are present in seal material, then processing is easier, but adhesion strength increases and causes firm adhesion to other materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the low molecular weight components that cause excessive adhesion through extraction with perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine, thereby reducing adhesion strength to appropriate levels while maintaining ease of processing characteristics
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 solution significantly reduces adhesion strength and surface contamination, preventing staining and corrosion while maintaining excellent heat resistance and adhesion properties, as demonstrated by the low weight loss and swelling rates under specified conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a process for contacting a crosslinked fluorine rubber with a solvent such as water is disclosed... since a perfluoroelastomer does not swell sufficiently with the solvent described in the publication
Implementation Method 2
a rate of weight decrease of the seal material is at most 1% by weight when the seal material is dried at 90° C. for 5 hours, 125° C. for 5 hours, and 200° C. for 10 hours after immersing into perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine for 70 hours at 60° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a perfluoroelastomer seal material in which adhesive strength, contamination, corrosion and color change of a contacted surface with a seal material are improved, and an amount of an uncrosslinked polymer component is at most 1% by weight, measured under specific conditions, and a process for preparing the same. The present invention relates to a perfluoroelastomer seal material, wherein a rate of weight decrease is at most 1% by weight when the seal material is immersed into perfluoro(tri-n-butyl)amine at 60° C. for 70 hours and is dried at 90° C. for 5 hours, 125° C. for 5 hours and 200° C. for 10 hours after taken out of the emersion. And, the present invention also relates to a process for preparing a perfluoroelastomer seal material comprising a step of treating with a solvent having at least 50 % of a swelling rate based on said molded article, when said molded article is immersed at 60° C. for 70 hours.