Contributor: Gasket Resources, Inc.
Hydrogen fluoride is a critical yet highly corrosive compound used in a variety of chemical processing applications. It is widely used in metal manufacturing, glass etching and polishing, semiconductors, gasoline production, and many other industrial applications. Hydrogen fluoride can cause severe burns and irritation if processes are not properly managed.
INDUSTRY
Chemical Processing
CHALLENGES
Because of its harsh nature, hydrogen fluoride is a difficult chemical to seal. If leaked in any volume, manufacturers must immediately alert the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding an emergency response.
Therefore, it’s critical that gaskets for hydrogen fluoride systems are constructed from materials capable of providing a leak-free seal and withstanding the chemical’s highly corrosive nature. The Hydrogen Fluoride Industry Practices Institute (HFIPI) publishes a Materials of Construction Guideline for both Anhydrous and Aqueous Hydrogen Fluoride, which includes gasket materials.
The HFIPI guidelines list carbon-filled PTFE as a reliable solution for gaskets in these harsh applications. While virgin PTFE is also listed in the HFIPI guidelines, its white color makes it difficult to discern from mechanical PTFE. Carbon-filled PTFE, on the other hand, is black and easily identifiable.
A carbon-filled PTFE is an efficient sealing material for aggressive chemical processing applications such as hydrogen fluoride. A limited number of manufacturers produce this material — and those who do typically only make it only four times per year.
THE SOLUTION
Gasket Resources, Inc. (GRI) is proud to offer Durlon® 9400, a carbon-filled PTFE gasket material strong enough to endure the rigors of hydrogen fluoride applications.
MADE FROM A COMBINATION OF PTFE RESINS AND CARBON FILLERS, DURLON® 9400 PROVIDES
• Highly aggresive chemical resistance
• Superior sealability
• Flexibility
• Electrical conductivity
• Non-sticking and cutting properties
FLUID SEALING SOLUTIONS FROM GRI
Recognizing the critical role that such materials play in your system’s overall success, GRI manufactures and stocks carbon-filled PTFE solutions year-round. In addition to our chemical processing material solutions such as Durlon® 9400, GRI also offers technical support and a multitude of online resources.
Comments