Trelleborg Sealing Solutions exhibits its technical solutions in elastomers, high-performance plastics and composite materials at Global Industry 2024 in Paris, France, from March 25 to 28, 2024.
Trelleborg is demonstrating its latest innovative technologies including new sealing solutions for the hydrogen industry, ultra-low friction bearings with outstanding compressive strength, and sealing solutions to enhance the performance of the next-generation electric vehicles. Trelleborg works with customers to develop optimal solutions which meet demanding performance requirements including extreme temperatures and pressures, and the presence of aggressive chemicals.
Jean-Philippe Perrot, Head of Solutions, says: “With our unsurpassed polymer solutions for sealing, damping and protecting critical applications in demanding environments, we develop innovative, custom-engineered solutions that accelerate the performance of our customers in a sustainable way. We work in partnership with them from initial design concepts to the development of the right solution for their application, enabling them to reduce time to market and adding value to processes and products.”
Showcased at the stand is the H2Pro™ range of sealing solutions designed specifically to accelerate innovation for sustainable technology and provide solutions for every application of the hydrogen value chain. Suitable for hydrogen production, transport and storage, and end-use, the H2Pro™ range is proven to withstand challenging application environments. They resist high pressures, low temperatures and resistance to permeation, while also showing excellent wear and extrusion properties.
“The combination of Trelleborg’s unsurpassed R&D capabilities to develop optimum materials and our advanced testing capabilities means that our H2Pro™ range provides proven, reliable solutions that customers across the industry can trust,” says James Simpson, Global Segment Director Energy. “The range comprises application-specific solutions that support every type of business involved in hydrogen, including energy generation, aerospace, off-highway, truck and bus, CPI, chemical transportation and marine industries. As a global leader in polymer and elastomer solutions, we are their ideal sealing partner of choice for hydrogen.”
Another innovative solution featured is Orkot® C620, an ultra-low friction bearing material with outstanding compressive strength which pushes the boundaries of composite technology. A high-specification thermoset composite, featuring a strong glass fiber backing with a low-friction Orkot® lining, it meets the requirements of the most demanding high-load applications across all market sectors including energy, off-highway and industrial. Though strong and light, it withstands high loads and stresses over a long service life.
Mark Hampton, Product and Innovations Manager, says: “Orkot® C620’s optimized properties provide customers with a step change in composite bearings, offering a unique combination of ultra-low friction and a compressive strength of 470 MPa, five times the strength of standard Orkot® materials. It is both stronger and has better friction characteristics than competitor composite materials, and can even challenge many metallic bearings for strength, offering industries such as aerospace the lighter, lower-friction solutions they increasingly demand.”
Also featured at the stand are HiSpin® high-speed rotary seals, designed to enhance the performance of the next-generation axles of electric vehicles, which are set to make up 30% of all traffic by 2030. The e-axle, which combines the electric motor and gearbox in a single unit, is a critical element of an electric car but poses serious sealing challenges including rotational speeds of up 16,000 RPM and limited use of lubrication.
HiSpin® solutions are specifically designed to excel in sealing e-axles, supporting the automotive industry’s goal of producing an electric car able to match a gasoline vehicle for range on a single charge. The HiSpin™ PDR RT seal has excellent sealing characteristics at speeds of up to 60 meters per second. A combination of a unique material, an innovative manufacturing process and specialized sealing lip design reduces friction by up to 75% compared to traditional PTFE seals, leading to a significant reduction in power consumption.
Also featured at the show is Seal-Glide®, a nanoscale surface treatment that improves on the friction performance of conventional coatings. Applied through an innovative process, it produces a finish up to 50 times thinner than many conventional coatings. This technique also enables treatment of components with complex geometries and features, such as undercuts, that would otherwise be impossible with lacquer-based coatings.
Even after being stretched, Seal-Glide® returns to a smooth finish with no breakouts, maintaining its improved sliding properties. Seal-Glide® can increase the lifetime of the complete sealing system, boost assembly and operation of your product and improves performance through significant reduction of friction and stickiness.
Trelleborg’s technical experts Jean-Philippe Perot, Emmanuel Louison, Antoine Charrier, Eric Mary, Loïc Favre and Naren Sampath will be on hand to provide attendees with advice and expertise in sealing technologies, development and manufacturing.
For more information on Trelleborg’s latest innovations, go to: https://www.trelleborg.com/en/seals/products-and-solutions/latest-innovations
