New grades of Russian fluororubbers

Abstract

Characteristics of Russian fluorrubbers and lattices are reported. Fluororubbers form a separate class of specialty fluoropolymers that possess specific features. Their chemical and physico-mechanical characteristics significantly exceed those of hydrocarbon and natural rubbers. Nowadays the fluororubbers are indispensable for production of rubber articles operating in the contact with oils, acids and other aggressive media at a high temperature. The only Russian enterprise manufacturing fluororubbers is the Limited Liability Co “Polymer Plant of the Konstantinov Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Industrial Complex.” Until 2006 only two types of fluororubbers were produced: SKF-26 and SKF-32. They are well known at Russian enterprises manufacturing cured goods of specialty applications and supplying the products to car-building plants. The fluororubbers are used for gaskets, oil-retaining rings, glands, and other parts of internal-combustion engines. It should be noted however that alongside the high strength, low compression set, excellent chemical resistance and heat resistance the fluororubbers SKF26 and SKF-32 are difficult for processing. Due to high viscosity and hardness the only processing method suitable for them is pressing. In 2006 a complex modernization of equipment was carried out at the Kirovo-Chepetsk polymer plant that made it possible to put into production new kinds and grades of fluororubber developed in the central laboratory of the plant: SKF-26/3-8 (Elaftor of series 2000), SKF-264/3-9 (Elaftor of series 3000), SKF264V/3-6 (Elaftor of series 7000). All the mentioned fluororubbers are manufactured as granules (see the figure) and sheets. Fluororubbers of this series are of various Mooney viscosity: DOI: 10.1134/S1070363209030359