Benefits

What are seal rings?

Transmissions and modern ePowertrain systems are costly to develop and test. Internal components rotate at high speeds and generate high friction.

The seal rings must have expertly engineered geometry to meet OEM target leakage rates, pressure, temperature and speed specifications. These critical components are essential in allowing the device to shift smoothly—and optimize mechanical/friction efficiencies. In a torque management application, the seals ensure precise hydraulic actuation. (The tighter the seal, the more accurate hydraulic control.) 

Design engineers turn to Minnesota Rubber & Plastics to help them design, test and manufacture these precision-molded plastic seal rings.

Material science: Ensuring our seal rings perform under variable temperatures

Through extensive research within our advanced materials lab, we ensure our thermoplastics tolerate the heat and pressures generated by powertrain, ePowertrain systems and other torque management systems. We study the relationship between material structure, its properties, how processing affects characteristics, and how the materials perform in an application.

Molding and manufacturing: Creating the perfect seal

Engineers must analyze and optimize the injection molding steps needed to build a perfect seal ring before mass production. This step is essential to optimize gate location, ensure cavities are filled uniformly, evaluate various materials, and to identify potential visual defects. For these reasons, more engineers turn to us for our superior capabilities with tight-tolerance dimensions.

A scientific approach to molding is critical for developing optimum control of the injection molding process, which includes constant monitoring of cavity pressures. Tooling is also important because part quality directly impacts sealing performance.

Plastic Thrust Washer Benefits

What are Plastic Thrust Washers?

Plastic thrust washers and other load-bearing components are critical elements for the performance of powertrain systems. They need to withstand extreme temperatures while limiting frictional impact on the overall system. Mechanical strength and dimensional precision are necessary for plastic thrust washers to enhance the performance of these high-speed high-load applications.

Material Science: High Strength + Low Friction

Due to the importance of both strength and friction reduction, material selection is critical for thrust components. High-performance thermoplastics (Bearing-grade PEEK, Torlon, Aurum, etc.) are frequently needed in order for these components to survive the harsh environments within a powertrain system. Our team will evaluate an application’s PV rating (pressure x velocity) and consider both dimensional and manufacturing needs in order to identify the optimal material.

Molding and Manufacturing

High-performance plastics are often more challenging to mold. They require higher molding temperatures and complex tooling strategies in order to optimize repeatability and reduce waste. Our experience with molding these high-performance materials becomes even more critical with complex multi-cavity tools required for high-volume production.

Benefits

Minnesota Rubber & Plastics has the unique ability to provide parts that integrate the benefits of superior elastomers combined with high-performance plastic. Frequently, sealing applications require the performance characteristics of both rubber and plastic in a singular component. These parts need a strong bond (mechanical or chemical) in order to guarantee performance under challenging sealing conditions.

We can leverage our extensive experience with both materials to provide a complete overmolded component that meets the customer’s needs. This materials expertise also allows us to optimize bond strength via part surface preparation, adhesive processing and/or material formulation.

Eliminate the redundancies and inefficiencies of dealing with two different molding suppliers. Let us help design and deliver an integrated over-molded solution for your multi-material application challenges.

FKM Benefits

FKM compounds are designed to provide flexibility at -40°C while providing the superior general chemical resistance that is characteristic of FKM elastomers. Custom FKM compounds developed by Minnesota Rubber & Plastics provide excellent compression set resistance and very good general chemical resistance, including resistance to fuels, coolants, and petroleum-based fluids or lubricants.

Materials science is at the heart of any new product we develop. Our formulation chemistries are tailored to meet your exact requirements, be it elastomers, Liquid Silicone Rubbers (LSR) or high-performance thermoplastics.

Benefits

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics precision plastic valving components and rubber sealing elements offer a lightweight solution for complex fluid management systems. Our expertise with high-performance plastics as well as elastomer sealing solutions, make us the best choice for automotive fluid management needs.

Modern fluid management systems are increasingly complex, with dynamic sealing requirements and multiple ports. Precision is required to enhance sealing performance and valve function. Plastic valving components can also provide inertial benefits that can improve overall system performance.

We can solve all your rubber and plastic valve component challenges under one roof. With our global footprint, we can provide the parts where and when you need them while adhering to all global quality certification standards.