Fluoroalkyleneether Silicate/Viton GLT Blends for Hydraulic System Seals: Synthesis, Blending, and Testing

Abstract : Fluoroalkyleneether silicate (FES) polymers (Tg's -82 deg C to - 91 deg C) were obtained from the reaction between fluoroether bis-dimethyl carbinols and bis-dimethylamino methyl-vinyl and dimethyl silane derivatives. Peroxide cure reactivity through the pendant vinyl moieties was demonstrated. In an effort to improve the low temperature flexibility of a commercial fluorocarbon elastomer (Viton GLT from DuPont), blends were prepared using the FES materials as an additive co-curing plasticizer. Temperature retraction tests demonstrated an optimum 9 degrees F improvement in low temperature flexibility. O-ring seal evaluations in Freon E6.5 fluid (chew and piston seal tests) demonstrated some seal enhancement and comparable durability in comparison to standard Viton GLT O-rings.