Composites: reduce number of components, design space, weight, maintenance

Two-component rubber-plastics direct composites that do not require bonding systems make it possible to replace metal with plastics.

The composite solutions from Parker Prädifa are based on a wide variety of materials to produce combinations such as rubber-plastics, rubber-metal or plastics-plastics. 

These combinations are converted into innovative solutions using advanced manufacturing technologies: for instance as chassis/housing components with static sealing functions or with rotating shafts, functional elements for translatory motion, sealing elements with positive/non-positive-locking retention, dimensionally stable carrier plates with sealing functions, and more.

Composites are suitable for use in all industrial markets, from general industrial and automotive applications to the aerospace sector through to applications in the oil and gas industry or medical device technology.

Due to the combination of the specific advantages of diverse materials in one component, completely new development potential can be realised. 

For example, thanks to ample freedom of design it is possible to achieve compact, ie design space and weight saving, complex product geometries or to satisfy functional requirements.

This yields – in some cases substantial — cost benefits, for instance in assembly operations due to the dimensional stabilisation of the soft component or seal geometry. 

Due to the reduction of parts diversity using composite solutions, administrative, warehousing and logistics costs are reduced, as well as quality costs due to higher process stability.

Handling benefits result from the stabilisation of small and delicate parts. 

Composite solutions also reduce the risk of assembly mistakes while connected seal geometries additionally reduce the risk of leakage.

Two-component rubber-plastics direct composites

Using special manufacturing technologies, Parker Prädifa offers advanced, particularly long-lasting and cost-effective two-component rubber-plastics direct composite solutions that do not require primers nor cause the resulting solvent emissions, which are harmful to the environment and human health. 

The elimination of the respective process steps yields substantial cost benefits. In addition, two-component rubber-plastics composite parts can even replace ‘classic’ rubber-metal solutions. 

Besides the aforementioned environmental and costs benefits, the elimination of the corrosion risk that always exists with metals and the lower weight of plastics compared to metal are further positives.