3P – Performance Plastics Products has combined a selection of available PEEK grade with dedicated transformation process to develop the X480, a remarkable virgin PEEK grade ideal for sealing and valve components that must maintain seal integrity under high loads in cryogenic temperatures.
3P has strongly invested in developing its Xytrex® range, a range of thermoplastic materials with wide applications in fluid handling systems. Xytrex® 480, more commonly known as X480, is believed as the new success for cryogenic applications. With virgin PCTFE X850 and X860, valve and pump industry can choose the best solution depending on temperature and pressure.
“We are very proud of this development, which has overcome the problems our customers meet in cryogenic applications. While we can go as low as -200°C (-320 F) compared to -255°C (- 427F) with PCTFE, the parts based on X480 are easily used even at 250°C (+480F). What’s even more important is that X480 valve seats withstand higher pressure. Finally, customers can choose between 2 solutions optimized whether for pressure or medium,” says Séverine Pujol, Fluid Handling Systems Market Manager and in charge of the Xytrex product line development.
To ensure industrial availability of the parts, 3P’s Innovation & Development teams have focused on transforming distinct grades of polymer. “In addition to cryogenic temperatures, we wanted a large range of properties such as chemical resistance, durability and toughness; this is why we focused on PEEK. We identified the requested behaviour in PEEK grade and specified the polymer with promising performance at ultra-low temperatures. Our 25 years’ experience in PEEK transformation eventually achieved the solution with a process displaying these properties,” Ms Pujol said.
