Introducing Perlast FFKM Seals
The reliability of process equipment is critically important to both productivity and safety. Finding the right sealing solution with correctly specified materials is paramount. For industry leaders around the world, the foundation of their sealing solution is Perlast FFKM.
Why choose Perlast?
Perlast was developed for use in the most demanding process applications, to increase equipment reliability and reduce the financial and reputational cost of unscheduled downtime. Perlast does this in five key ways:
- High temperature resistance
The chemical structure of Perlast FFKM gives the material its extraordinary stability in high temperatures. Perlast has been engineered to withstand operating temperatures of up to 327°C (620°F) without losing sealing force. Perlast is not only resistant to high temperatures – some grades of Perlast seal effectively down to -46°C (-51°F)
- Universal chemical resistance
Perlast is chemically inert. Perlast seals will withstand exposure to process media and other chemical agents encountered in even the most aggressive processing environments. Combined with excellent steam resistance, Perlast is perfectly suited to applications involving steam-in-place (SIP) and clean-in-place (CIP) sterilisation regimes.
- Mechanical strength
Perlast has demonstrated incident-free sealing performance across static and dynamic applications in the most challenging high pressure industrial environments. The low compression set of Perlast means that even under prolonged use, Perlast seals can be specified within fast-paced process lines which cannot be let down by material weakness and unreliability.
- Full regulatory compliance
Food and pharmaceutical production in particular is regulated by a robust legislature which governs both manufacturing regulations and hygiene standards. There are Perlast grades which are compliant with three of the most important industry standards for international life science, namely; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for solid, aqueous and fatty foods; the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI <87> and <88>; and 3A 18-03 Sanitary Standard (Class 1) and its particular focus on dairy equipment.
There are also Perlast material grades used in oil and gas applications which are resistant to failure due to rapid gas decompression (RGD) and H2S (sour gas), with certifications to NORSOK M710, NACE, ISO23936 and ISO10423 (API 6A).
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- Availability
FFKM is not an easy material to manufacture. The process is complicated, and the ingredients can be difficult to acquire. Sourcing FFKM ingredients has been particularly hard in recent months, leading to an industry-wide shortage of FFKM, resulting in significant increases in lead times for major manufacturers and prominent FFKM grades.
Due to close supplier relationships and consolidated market presence, Perlast has not been as heavily impacted by these supply chain difficulties as other manufacturers. Perlast FFKM sealing components can be manufactured to order in as little as a month – dependant on size and quantity – which is up to six times quicker than some competitor grades. Perlast lead times represent a major operational advantage, reducing the frequency and complexity of unscheduled maintenance, repair and overhaul events.
More than a manufacturer
Beyond the purely material capabilities of Perlast, advantages of using Perlast are also found in PPE’s wider service offering. The importance of bespoke technical support for the requalification of alternative FFKM materials cannot be underestimated. From design optimisation through to in-house testing and validation, and onwards to product training support and ongoing maintenance, the Perlast difference is about establishing a long-term technical partnership focused on equipment reliability and performance.
Switching to Perlast
Perlast FFKM compounds have been used in critical process applications for over twenty years, delivering high performance sealing in extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments. It is however the availability of Perlast which represents its most recent advantage. The global FFKM supply chain problem threatens major interruptions to production and ultimately business profitability. Perlast is not facing the same supply shortages as other FFKM manufacturers, and as such, Perlast is frequently being evaluated for its ability to replace incumbent sealing materials.
PPE sealing specialists understand the practical difficulties involved in specifying and implementing a new sealing material. The identification of which Perlast grade represents the best option for improving performance and reliability is only possible through a deep understanding of the application, and the demands to be placed on the sealing system. The first step is a discussion with a PPE sealing engineer.
Arrange an initial consultation with a Perlast specialist at www.perlast.com. You’ll also find technical information on Perlast material grades, and details on how switching to Perlast can benefit your specific application.
Contact details:
Precision Polymer Engineering
01254 295400
prepol.sales@prepol.com
www.perlast.com
