Createc GmbH & Co KG has devised what it terms as a revolutionary set of Creacomp PT (pump type) composite materials that combine Victrex Peek polymer with carbon fibre.

“These composites have been successfully used to replace metals in the manufacture of parts subject to intense wear in pumps, resulting in enhanced process reliability, greater energy efficiency and consequent cost savings. The development is a response to continuous demand for reliability and performance of industrial pumps,” a company spokesman said.

Most heavy industrial pumps are designed and fitted with sets of replaceable components subject to wear (for example bushings, case and impeller wear rings). These wear parts are designed to support and stabilise the pump rotor and offer protection to the shaft, impellers and pump casing by absorbing wear and abuse.

In addition to these roles, wear rings act as internal seals and, to prevent frictional contact, maintain a gap between the impeller and pump casing. It is essential to keep this gap or clearance at an optimum value to improve efficiency.

“Testing by Createc has revealed a significant gain in energy efficiency and cost savings when composite manufactured wear rings are used. The gain in efficiency of a typical multistage process pump is 4-5 per cent when clearance is reduced by 50 per cent. A test of an upgraded six-stage process pump revealed an improvement in efficiency from 82.5 per cent to 87 per cent, reducing the cost of electrical power consumption by 80,000 euros ($106,148) per year,” the spokesman said.

“As a result, pump manufacturers are increasingly using Victrex Peek polymer-based thermoplastic composites such as Creacomp PT for wear part components to improve efficiency and save energy costs,” he added.

GOOD PROPERTIES

Victrex Peek (poly-ether-ether-ketone), from Victrex Polymer Solutions, the leading manufacturer of high performance polyaryletherketones and a major supplier of thermoplastics to the composites industry, is a linear semi-crystalline aromatic polymer, widely regarded as the highest performing thermoplastic material currently available. Victrex Peek polymer has good frictional and wear properties, with superior resistance to a wide range of aggressive chemical
environments. 

Traditionally, bushings and wear rings have been made from metallic materials such as bronze, stainless steel and cast iron, but today Creacomp PT thermoplastic-reinforced Victrex Peek polymer-based composite materials, available in four grades, can now be used as a metal replacement. Additionally, these thermoplastic composites cover applications that traditional materials were not suitable for. With good strength and wear, minimised running clearances are possible as a result of the non-galling and non-seizing nature of these composites.

“Victrex Polymer Solutions helps customers and end users achieve the greatest possible benefit from the use of its high-performance materials to achieve cost-effective, reliable solutions for long-life applications of today and in the future,” the spokesman said. “All of this, backed by more than 30 years of experience, makes Victrex the only company in the world that can offer this level of specialised support. Victrex Polymer Solutions is the sole manufacturer and supplier of Victrex Peek polymer worldwide.”

Headquartered in Germany, Createc GmbH & Co KG is the leading partner of high-performance composite and sealing technologies, supporting selected markets such as the pump, chemical  and medical industries.

UK-based Victrex Polymer Solutions, a division of Victrex plc, is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance polyaryletherketones such as Victrex Peek polymer, Vicote Coatings, Aptiv film and Victrex Pipe.

“These materials are used in a variety of markets and offer an exceptional combination of properties to help OEMs, designers and processors reach new levels of cost savings, quality, and performance. All Victrex material production comes under Victrex’s ISO 9001:2008 quality registration,” the spokesman said.