VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer is replacing steel in Parkers’ new hydraulic coupling system

18.01.2010

Hofheim/Ts., January 2010 – The RSD series couplings from Parker are mainly used to rapidly and easily connect and disconnect the hydraulic lines between a tractor and its various items of equipment (trailer, plough…) without using any tools. The use of the high performance VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer has now made it possible to offer the most compact rigid couplings on the market.
Indeed, several steel components of these RSD quick couplings have been replaced with one single injection-moulded component made of VICTREX PEEK polymer which allows use under extreme conditions even at high temperatures while maintaining its elasticity. David Aragones, Project Manager at Parker Hannifin, explains that the technology of the RSD coupling allows completely safe connection of a male connector, whether pressurised or not, under adverse conditions, such as under a maximum pressure of 250 bar, and withstands a return flow rate that may reach 190 l/min and even beyond for a few seconds at a temperature close to 120°C. “Apart from the high performance demanded of the coupling, it was essential for us to control our production costs by reducing the number of metal components. Consequently, we sought a multipurpose material that was both highly flexible and capable of withstanding high loads over a wide range of temperatures in order to allow us to incorporate as many functions as possible in the clip,” David Aragones added.

Parker has solved its problem by choosing the high performance VICTREX PEEK polymer for its new range of hydraulic couplings. As a genuine safety system, the PEEK polymer valve minimises the number of components in motion during connection and disconnection (which reportedly improves reliability). Parker Hannifin claim that the shape of the clip combined with the elasticity and the fatigue resistance of the PEEK material ensures a reliable and durable connection of the pressurised male connector. “Use of this high performance plastic has allowed us to offer an entirely innovative, patented design”, stated David Aragones. “Consequently, these connectors are particularly valued for their pressure-resistant characteristics and their compactness.”

According to Didier Padey, Market Development Manager at Victrex Europe, “VICTREX PEEK polymer retains its mechanical properties even in aggressive environments at high temperatures. Apart from its outstanding thermal performance, VICTREX PEEK polymer presents a unique combination of properties. In this case, it is particularly its mechanical resistance and ductility, even under the most adverse conditions that led to specification of VICTREX PEEK polymer for the valve clip of the RSD hydraulic couplings from Parker.”

Didier Padey added: “The unique combination of its properties allowed VICTREX PEEK polymer to be successfully substituted for several traditional materials, incorporate several functions in a single component and thereby reduce the number of components to be assembled and control the overall cost of the product.”

Thanks to the cooperation between the producer of the material, the designer and the subcontractor VP PLAST in charge of producing the component, Parker was able to achieve its aims with increased design freedom and simplified implementation by injection molding, while improving the functions of its RSD coupling.