5 Mar 2002
Always in Position with VICTREX® PEEK™ Polymer
For the housings of its new generation of efectorm proximity sensors targeted at applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry, ifm-electronic (headquartered at Essen, Germany) is using VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer together with stainless steel. This material combination ensures a lasting and absolutely safe sensor function in the most demanding hygienic environments, where the proximity sensors provide feedback about the specific positions of valves and valve systems.
Essentially, the housings must resist the aggressive action of chemical cleaning agents applied at regular intervals, high pressures and high temperatures in order to guarantee the hygienic of the equipment. This as well as the critical ingress of fluids and thermal shock resistance required the use of high-performance materials.
To assure these properties, ifm-electronic subjects its sensors to 1,000 hours of thermal cycling at temperatures alternating from 0°C to 100°C (32°F to 212°F). The tightness of the housings is then tested by means of a water jet of 100 bar (1,450 psi) from a distance of only 10 to 15 mm (0.4 to 0.6 in.). The front face housing part, moulded in VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, has consistently shown to pass both of these demanding tests. The material’s high heat resistance and low coefficient of thermal expansion prevent the formation of gaps and subsequent leakage at the interface to the stainless steel component.
Due to the excellent chemical resistance of PEEK™ polymer, the moulding retains its physical integrity and thus provides a very high level of safety and reliability in continuous use. Other plastics had shown material changes leading to sensor failures.
Another key requirement in the food and pharmaceutical industry, unfilled VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer also offers FDA approval for food-contact applications.
With VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, ifm-electronic has successfully developed an innovative range of inductive proximity switches, manufactured in series to the highest standards of lifetime reliability in all environments of the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £72m in the last financial year. The company exports 98 percent of its VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com
###
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyaryletherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
Ifm-electronic (Essen, Germany) is using VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer together with stainless steel for the housings of its new generation proximity sensors. This material combination ensures a lasting and absolutely safe sensor function in the most demanding hygienic environments.
