Friction Management

• The Right Technology for the Right Application:
• Technology Depends on:
  • Type of Rubber
  • Required Duration
  • Required rubber properties
  • Seal Requirements
    • Static / Dynamic
    • Temp
    • Fluids
    • Sterilization
    • Third Party certifications

• Purpose of lubrication is to reduce the coefficient of friction of rubber surfaces
• Frequently used to facilitate automated assembly, but also may have a functional purpose such as creating a smoother interface between mating parts (rubber vs plastic is especially problematic)
• There are two major methods to reduce friction:
  • External Lubricants
  • Internal Lubricants

• Dry film lubricants including, talc, PTFE powder, graphite, mica, molybdenum disulfide, silicone fluids, various Teflon coatings & Silicone.
  • The powders and fluid silicone lubes are usually not suitable for automated assembly equipment.
  • All have their drawbacks, primarily the introduction of a foreign substance to the surface of the part which can migrate throughout the plant floor and contaminate other parts or processes.
• Silicone lubricants on silicone rubber can cause issues with the rubber
• ·Standard Teflon coatings are an aqueous emulsion of PTFE which is sprayed on and post cured.
  • All these coatings have adhesion issues, and they are not nearly as flexible as the rubber substrate, which leads to flaking and cracking of the coating.   Therefore PTFE coating is most effective as an installation aid rather than a long term solution

In order to comply with FDA & USP VI requirements. All Seals has  developed treatments specifically designed for Silicone Rubber Friction Reduction

Key Features of the treatment are

• > 50% reduction in Silicone Coefficient of Friction (raw silicone (.65)
• Permanent because it is a Chemical bond.  Therefore the treatment is flexible with the rubber
• It Reduces the tendency of silicone to pick up contamination
• Clean: it is Biocompatible (USP class VI requirements) and is VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) free. Options for antimicrobial treatment.

Parylene®:

• > 80% reduction in Silicone Coefficient of Friction
• Physical Bond so it can crack if the rubber is “flexed”
• Secondary/ Post process

Silicone Lubricants:

• “Messy”,  the lubricant tends to migrate & may Contaminate other areas of manufacturing facility
• Minimal Cost