Freudenberg launches two new sealing materials without fluorinated surfactants

According to Rubber World, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has launched two sealing materials for the food and beverage industry: 75 FKM 725 and 75 Fluoroprene ® XP50。 These two materials are developed based on polymers prepared using a production process that does not involve fluorinated surfactants. The report points out that leading fluoropolymer manufacturers are increasingly shifting towards production processes that do not use fluorinated surfactants. Previously, such substances were used as processing aids in the synthesis of various FKMs (fluororubbers). Freudenberg collaborated with suppliers to test polymers produced using a non fluorinated surfactant process, and based on this, developed the aforementioned two sealing materials.

Material and Process Background

Fluorinated surfactants have been used as processing aids in the synthesis of fluoropolymers for a long time, involving multiple types of adhesives including FKM.

. As the industry chain pays more attention to production process adjustments, polymer suppliers are beginning to provide raw materials that are not produced using fluorosurfactant processes. The focus of Freudenberg’s work this time is to test and validate such raw materials, and transform them into sealing material formulas that can be used in food and beverage contact scenarios. From the general process of rubber product development, changes in raw material polymerization technology may affect the processing behavior of polymers and the final properties of vulcanized rubber. Therefore, it is necessary to re evaluate the mixing, vulcanization system matching, and sealing performance of finished products. The clear information in the report is that Freudenberg and the supplier jointly completed the testing of fluorinated surfactant process polymers and developed two sealing materials based on this, but did not disclose the specific formula composition, vulcanization system details, or performance test data.

Significance for the Polymer Additive Industry

Sealing materials belong to an important category of rubber products, and their formulations usually involve reinforcing fillers, vulcanization systems, as well as additive systems such as anti-aging agents and antioxidants.

. The core change in this news occurred at the polymer synthesis end – replacing the original processing aid route with a fluorine free surfactant process. For additive companies, this means that when the polymerization process and processing additive system of raw rubber change, the selection of additives in the mixing and vulcanization process may need to be adjusted accordingly to maintain processing stability and the performance of the final seal. In the application scenarios of food and beverage, sealing materials have specific requirements for the compliance, odor, migration and other properties of formula components. Although the report did not provide specific test conclusions, the signal it conveys is that the switch in polymer raw material routes is being transmitted to downstream sealing products. Rubber additive suppliers need to pay attention to the compatibility requirements of special rubbers such as FKM under new polymerization processes, including the adaptation of vulcanization systems, dispersion of reinforcing fillers, and stability verification of anti-aging agents and antioxidant systems. In addition, this case also demonstrates that the sealing product industry outside of the tire and rubber industries is also promoting adjustments in the production process of fluoropolymers. For suppliers of white carbon black, reinforcing fillers, and various rubber additives, tracking changes in special rubber raw materials and cooperating with product companies to complete formula revalidation is a realistic path to maintain competitiveness.

Explanation: The source did not provide the formula, vulcanization system, performance data, or certification information for the two materials. This article is only rewritten based on the facts about the development of the fluorine free surfactant process and the two sealing materials in the source.

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Information source:Freudenberg Sealing Technologies introduces two new sealing materials， Organized by Herun Chemical.