Trelleborg Introduces Turcon M30 Sealing Material for Hydraulic Aerospace Applications

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions launches Turcon M30 sealing material, which is engineered to withstand and optimize performance against the extremely hard ceramic coatings that are the eco-friendly alternatives to chrome plating of rods in hydraulic aerospace applications. Tests prove that the new compound increases seal life to reduce planned maintenance, extend flight hours and ultimately lower costs.

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Turcon M30 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based sealing material has been developed after an extensive test program by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions to meet the sealing challenges posed by hard ceramic mating surfaces. It offers unrivalled performance at the higher hydraulic pressures of modern aircraft, now up to 5,000 psi, and meets the extended expected working life of actuators of up to 60,000 flight hours or more.

Meeting the needs of customers

Research and Development Manger at the Danish facility where the product was developed, Soeren Roepstorff, says: "In the continuous quest for the aerospace industry to be environmentally-friendly it is important that chrome, which is classified as a carcinogenic, is removed from as many applications as possible. Unfortunately, this can have a detrimental effect on seal life. At Trelleborg though, based on our experience, we preempt these issues and ensure that we can meet the needs of our customers by supplying a high performance material for more demanding situations, whenever necessary.

"This was the case with the development of Turcon M30. Not only can it provide extended life with minimized wear against eco-friendly hard ceramic mating surfaces on rods in hydraulic cylinders. It can also withstand the rigors of the extremely high pressures existing in todays aircraft."

Removing toxic chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists chromium as one of the 17 most toxic chemicals. As chromium is classified as carcinogenic, chrome plated rods in hydraulic cylinders are being replaced with ceramic coated ones using the High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) process. Chrome is inherently porous so stores lubricant, prolonging the life of seals. The extremely hard, denser surface of tungsten carbide HVOF makes sealing more challenging.

The development program to prove Turcon M30 involved back-to-back testing of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) Polyamide (PA) and Polyethylene (PE) compounds with various fillers. Materials were tested on a 5,000 psi test rig and factors including leakage, abrasion and wear were examined.

Turcon M30 is the preferred Trelleborg sealing material for hydraulic applications in aerospace flight controls and landing gear. It has operating temperatures from -196 °C to +260 °C/ -320 °F to +500 °F and is capable of withstanding pressures up to 35 MPa/ 5,000 psi for prolonged periods.

About Trelleborg Sealing Solutions

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is one of the worlds leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of precision seals. It support its aerospace, industrial and automotive customers through over 20 production facilities and more than 40 marketing companies globally. Within its portfolio are some of the longest established sealing brands, including Busak+Shamban, Chase Walton, Dowty, Forsheda, GNL, Palmer Chenard, Shamban, Skega and Stefa along with a large number of proprietary products and materials such as Turcon, Zurcon, Orkot, Isolast, Stepseal and Wills Rings.

About Trelleborg

Trelleborg is a global industrial group whose leading positions are based on advanced polymer technology and in-depth applications know-how. Trelleborg develops high-performance solutions that seal, damp and protect in demanding industrial environments. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of about SEK 22 billion, with about 15,500 employees in over 40 countries. The Group comprises three business areas: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Trelleborg Wheel Systems, and Trelleborg Engineered Systems. In addition, Trelleborg owns 50 percent of TrelleborgVibracoustic, a global leader within antivibration solutions for light and heavy vehicles, with annual sales of SEK 13 billion and about 8 000 employees in over 18 countries. The Trelleborg share has been listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since 1964 and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic List, Large Cap.