DE102007027586A1 - Elastically deformable component i.e. sealing element, manufacturing method, involves partially cross linking sealing element, where sealing element is vulcanized i.e. completely cross linked, into form under energy effect - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves mixing a non-magnetic metal powder and/or non-magnetic metal fiber (4) and a base material (3) to form a mixture, where the base material consists of polymer material. The mixture is brought into a form, and a sealing element (1) is partially cross linked under pressure and temperature effect. The sealing element is vulcanized i.e. completely cross linked, into another form under energy effect (5). The energy effect is produced by eddy current, alternating current and microwave. Thermo plastics, thermosetting plastics and elastomers are used as the base material. An independent claim is also included for a component i.e. sealing element.

Description

The The invention relates to a process for the production of elastically deformable Components, in particular of sealing elements.

Generally It is known that components, such as seals, made of polymer materials, in particular elastomers, in liquid Phase be subjected to a shaping process (eg injection molding) and then by the action of pressure and temperature in a certain Time networked and thus completed. For the production, in particular of seals made of elastomer material is often a injection molding used. Here, the raw material (eg rubber) in an extruder at about 80 ° C (Cold runner) converted into a viscous state of matter. These Melt is subsequently in a hot one Tool or in a hot Injected form. By the effect of pressure, temperature and time crosslinks the elastomer. Around the cycle times in the injection molding machine To reduce the elastomer is not fully crosslinked (also vulcanized called), but only sufficiently crosslinked so far that the seal can be removed from the mold. Because the material properties however, depend on the degree of crosslinking, the prefabricated gasket still has to work in a second step be vulcanized. Therefor The seals go through an annealing process in an oven. Because polymers but poor heat conduction properties exhibit, it requires a longer Time at elevated Temperature (about 180 ° C), until the sealing material is vulcanised down to the middle, the core. Sensitive materials need to last for a long time tempered at lower temperatures; insensitive materials can at higher temperature within shorter Time to be vulcanised. However, the problem is that the surface the seal the most heat or to absorb energy. This can be done with sensitive materials, for example, in natural rubber, to damage or for degradation to lead.

Of the Invention is based on the object, in particular from the perspective cost reduction and energy reduction to show a solution to the cycle times for the production of components, in particular of sealing elements while to shorten a manufacturing process.

This object is achieved by a method for producing elastically deformable components, in particular sealing elements, by adding metal powder and / or metal fibers to a base material consisting of a polymer material, introducing this mixture into a mold in a first working step and introducing the component, in particular the sealing element , is partially crosslinked under pressure and temperature, wherein the component, in particular the sealing element, vulcanized in a second step in a further tool, in particular another form, under the action of energy, that is, completely crosslinked,
This object is also achieved by a method for the production of elastically deformable components, in particular of sealing elements, by adding metal powder and / or metal fibers to a base material consisting of a polymer material, introducing this mixture into a mold in a first working step and, in a second working step Mixture within the same mold vulcanized under the action of energy, that is, completely crosslinked, is.

advantageous Further developments of the independent method according to the invention are the associated refer to the dependent claims.

These Task is also solved by an elastically deformable material, in particular a consisting of polymer material component, in particular sealing element, in which the material at least at specifiable locations with not magnetic metal powder and / or non-magnetic metal fibers is provided.

advantageous Further developments of the component according to the invention are the associated representational dependent claims refer to.

By the subject of the invention are two alternative production routes shown components, in particular sealing elements, either below Use of two tools or forms or within one and the same tool, respectively one and the same form, in both variants due to the embedded metals the Cycle times within the production machine, such as one Injection molding machine, can be reduced.

Under The terms metal fibers or metal powders are also such particles to understand, which are very small, d. H. metallic micro- or Nanoparticles. The advantage of using very small particles is to see that the specific surface with small particle sizes very rises sharply.

In dependence the application case, respectively the used materials, the person skilled in the art the suitable manufacturing route, in particular Cost and energy aspects, select.

The base material is mixed with a defined amount of metal powder and / or metal fibers. By creating a change or we Belstroms (induction), the particles or fibers are hot. Due to a uniform distribution of the particles or fibers over the entire cross section of the later component, in particular of the later sealing element, the heat or energy required for vulcanization over the entire cross section distributed substantially uniformly initiated. This means, starting from the metal particles or metal fibers, the mixture is uniformly vulcanized to produce the component, respectively the sealing element.

by virtue of the vulcanization of the entire mixture over the entire cross section The components can be achieved significantly shorter networking times. The energy can be very purposeful, d. H. selectively used become. To have to thus not metallic good heat-conducting Tools or molds are heated. This can save a lot of energy achieve.

There the vulcanization energy over introduced the metal particles or metal fibers contained in the mixture is, the vulcanization reaction goes in the microscopic range from the particles or fibers, resulting in improved material properties in the component, in particular in the sealing element, can be achieved.

• – das Polymer kann auf einem bestimmten Temperaturniveau gehalten werden, wobei die Temperatur so eingestellt werden kann, dass das Polymer sehr gut fließfähig ist, aber noch nicht oder nur sehr langsam reagiert bzw. vernetzt
• – durch die Kontrolle der Fließfähigkeit bzw. dem Start der Vernetzungsreaktion können auch sehr lange Fließwege realisiert werden.

The fact that the crosslinking reaction is controlled by the targeted entry of energy and can be started at any time, there are the following possibilities

• - The polymer can be maintained at a certain temperature level, wherein the temperature can be adjusted so that the polymer is very fluid, but not or only very slowly reacts or crosslinked
• - By controlling the flowability or the start of the crosslinking reaction very long flow paths can be realized.

• – die Werkstoffeigenschaften gezielt an unterschiedlichen Stellen variiert werden (z. B. gezielte lokale Verstärkung/Versteifung, gezielte lokale Einstellung des elastischen Verhaltens)
• – beim Vernetzen bzw. Ausvulkanisieren können unterschiedliche Materialeigenschaften eingestellt bzw. realisiert werden, wobei an Stellen mit einem höheren Gehalt an Metallpulver/-fasern ein höherer Energieeintrag erzielt werden kann und an diesen Stellen das Material schneller vernetzt bzw. vulkanisiert

By adding different amounts of metal powders / fibers at different locations:

• - the material properties can be specifically varied at different locations (eg targeted local reinforcement / stiffening, targeted local adjustment of the elastic behavior)
• - When crosslinking or vulcanization different material properties can be set or realized, wherein at locations with a higher content of metal powder / fibers, a higher energy input can be achieved and crosslinked at these points, the material faster or vulcanized

ever after applied manufacturing process can within a short time be carried out in the material of the vulcanization process, creating a second Process step, namely the tempering, can be saved. The energy or heat needed for annealing needed will not have to the surface be introduced, which means that even very sensitive materials within the shortest possible time Time completely let networked.

alternative for energy input through eddy current / alternating current can also other sources of energy, such as microwaves, are used.

Should production or customers claim that no particles or fibers from the surface of the component, in particular of the sealing element, may look out (for example, for corrosion reasons), so can the particles or fibers prior to incorporation into the base material coated or encapsulated.

alternative can Components are also processed by means of a 2 K process, d. H. The component is made with material that is not metal particles / fibers contains, coated or overmolded.

Also is conceivable, targeted areas or even the entire component with to provide inhomogeneously distributed particles. Let that way to produce graded components in certain places or but over the entire cross-section different material properties exhibit. Such gradients can be, for example, by means of Centrifugation or sedimentation produce.

Advantage: Adjustable material properties, in particular targeted influencing the magnetic force.

Based on the invention can all Polymers are modified. In the case of thermosets and thermoplastics results from it addition the possibility also very large components, such as For example, body parts, boat hulls, wings of wind turbines or Aircraft parts, manufacture.

at The use of thermosets are usually resin injection methods used or the components in Handlaminierverfahren or under Use made of prepregs. It will either be cold curing Haze / hardener Combinations used and / or the components in a large oven hardened.

The present invention offers the possibility of no longer having to cure such components in a special, very large oven, but instead of crosslinking the surface with an induction coil. Alternatively, a component gescho by a corresponding toroid ben or be specifically cured with microwaves. When using thermoplastics, the method of the invention may be used to either melt the thermoplastic material and / or to maintain the melt at a certain temperature level dictated by the processing method.

recently is also working with thermoplastics, which are present as monomers and polymerize only during the manufacturing process. Suitable for this purpose The invention also targeted to the polymerization use.

The Invention leaves in all polymers (thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers) and is not limited to seal applications.

By the addition of metal particles or metal fibers can in addition to a Sealing function, if necessary, an electrical shielding can be realized.

imaginable is also that such modified material in an appropriate design can make a contribution to sound absorption.

Of the Subject of the invention is based on an embodiment in the drawing and is described as follows. Show it:

1 Schematic diagram of a production tool for a existing of a polymer material sealing element;

2 Cross section through the sealing element according to 1 with detail enlargement;

3 Sealing element according to 2 with areas of increased and lower concentration of metal fibers / metal powder.

1 shows an existing in this example of elastomeric sealing element 1 in the pre-crosslinked state in the area of an only indicated production tool 2 , For example, an injection mold, is provided. In the elastomeric base material 3 are the non-magnetic metal powder and / or non-magnetic metal fibers 4 brought in. This mixture can then be based on the process parameters according to independent claims 1 or 2 to the sealing element 1 to be fully networked.

In this example, use should be made of the features of the independent claim 2, wherein the only indicated energy effect 5 is generated by alternating current.

2 shows the sealing element 1 according to 1 , Visible are the metal fibers or the metal powder 4 that in the basic material 3 is introduced. The detail enlargement shows single metal fibers 4 , After completion of the first step, the basic material 3 (Mixture) within the same production tool under the action of energy ( 1 ) for producing the sealing element 1 vulcanized, ie fully crosslinked. The arrows indicate the interaction between the magnetically influenced metal fibers 4 and the basic material 3 indicated.

3 shows the sealing element 1 according to 2 , The same has sealing lips 6 lying in a horizontal thigh 7 are provided. On the thigh 7 is a vertically extending approach 8th formed. It can be seen that the concentration of metal fibers 4 in the area of the approach 8th less than in the area of the thigh 7 ,

By accumulation of metal fibers 4 in the sealing area 6 can the material properties of the sealing element 1 , or the magnetizability in this area, are influenced.

Claims (14)

Process for the production of elastically deformable components, in particular of sealing elements ( 1 ) by a base material consisting of a polymer material ( 3 ) Metal powder and / or metal fibers ( 4 ) are mixed, this mixture in a first step in a mold ( 2 ) and the component, in particular the sealing element ( 1 ), is partially crosslinked under pressure and temperature, wherein the component, in particular the sealing element ( 1 ), in a second step in a further tool, in particular another form, vulcanized under the action of energy, that is, completely crosslinked. Process for the production of elastically deformable components, in particular of sealing elements ( 1 ) by a base material consisting of a polymer material ( 3 ) Metal powder and / or metal fibers ( 4 ) are mixed, this mixture in a first step in a mold ( 2 ) and in a second step, the mixture within the same shape ( 2 ) under the action of energy to produce the component, in particular the sealing element ( 1 ), vulcanized, ie fully crosslinked, becomes. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the action of energy ( 5 ) is generated by eddy current, alternating current or microwaves. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that as base materials ( 3 ) Thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers can be used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal powder and / or the metal fibers ( 4 ) before introduction into the base material ( 3 ) coated or encapsulated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mixture in the course of the first step by injection molding in the mold ( 2 ) is introduced. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the mixture by injection molding in the mold ( 2 ) is injected, the shape ( 2 ) has a temperature such that the mixture does not solidify, but rather its fluidity is maintained and only when the shape ( 2 ) is completely filled the energy ( 5 ) and the mixture for forming the component, in particular the sealing element ( 1 ), vulcanized, ie fully crosslinked, becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base material ( 3 ) with non-magnetic metal powder and / or non-magnetic metal fibers ( 4 ). Made of elastically deformable material ( 2 ), in particular a polymer material, existing component, in particular sealing element ( 1 ), in which the basic material ( 3 ) at least at predetermined locations with non-magnetic metal powder and / or non-magnetic metal fibers ( 4 ) is provided. Component according to claim 9, characterized in that the base material ( 2 ) over the entire length of the component, in particular the sealing element ( 1 ), seen with metal powder and / or metal fibers ( 4 ) is provided. Component according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the metal powder and / or the metal fibers ( 4 ) are coated or encapsulated. Component according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized that the polymer material thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers includes. Component according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the, the metal powder and / or the metal fibers ( 4 ) containing basic material ( 3 ) is processable by injection molding or thermoforming. Component according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that a possible shrinkage and / or distortion in the base material ( 3 ) and in the design of the injection molding tool ( 2 ) is taken into account as needed.