Studies on Fluorocarbon Elastomer Nanocomposites for Sealing Applications

The usage of seals in several applications like aircraft engines is mostly made of Fluorocarbon (FKM) elastomer. They are coloured products that enable easier identification based on the applications. In such seals, fillers like carbon black cannot be added to reinforce and improvise the mechanical properties since carbon black does not make it possible to add colours. The properties after ageing are also very critical in sealing application, and they must also be improved. Also, Nanocomposites are the modern and growing trends in the field of polymers that show enormous changes in the properties of the polymers without affecting their basic properties. So, the need for improvisation of FKM seals and the concept of Nanocomposites can be merged to form FKM Nanocomposites with Nano clay and Nano silica as the fillers. The objective of this project is to improve the mechanical properties, better retention of properties after ageing and after fluid interaction of the FKM seals with the aid of Nanofillers. Different proportions of FKM nanocomposites were prepared using modified Nano Kaolin Clay & modified Montmorillonite clay (Cloisite grades). Various mechanical properties like tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, compression set and tear strength etc., were studied. The test results have shown good improvements while increasing the filler loading. This is helpful to manufacture seals of desired colours thereby avoiding the difficulties faced in the carbon black-filled FKM compounds.