Introduction to Rulon
Rulon is a brand of high-performance plastic materials that are used in both industrial and engineering applications. Rulon is a family of plastic composites made primarily from polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, also known as Teflon, with additional fillers such as bronze, glass, or graphite.
Rulon materials are known for their low friction & wear resistance, high temperature & chemical resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. They are often used in applications such as bearings, seals, gaskets, and other components that require high performance in harsh or demanding environments.
There are several types of Rulon materials available, each with slightly different properties and applications. Just a few worth mentioning are Rulon J, Rulon LR, and Rulon AR.
Applications of Rulon
Some common examples of parts that may be molded or machined from Rulon materials include:
- Bearings and bushings: Rulon is often used to manufacture bearings and bushings since Rulon has low friction properties and the ability to withstand high loads and temperatures.
- Seals and gaskets: Rulon can be used to manufacture seals and gaskets for applications where chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and long service life are required.
- Electrical components: Rulon materials are also used to make electrical components such as insulators and connectors due to their high dielectric strength and resistance to electrical arcing.
- Valve seats and pump parts: Rulon is used to make parts for valves and pumps, such as seats and wear rings, due to their resistance to chemical attack and low friction properties.
- Sliding and wear parts: Rulon can also be used to make parts that require low friction and resistance to wear, including gears, rollers, and sliding blocks.
Overall, Rulon materials are best suited for a variety of applications where high-performance properties are required, particularly in harsh or demanding environments.
Injection Molded Parts
The process of injection molding Rulon typically involves the following steps:
- Mold Preparation: First, a mold is designed and prepared for injection molding. The mold is typically made from steel and often consists of two halves or plates that fit together to form a cavity.
- Melting Material: The Rulon pellets are fed into the heated barrel of the injection molding machine, where they are melted under heat and pressure.
- Injecting Material: Once the material is melted, it is injected into the mold cavity under high pressure. The mold is kept closed until the freshly molded Rulon part has solidified and cooled.
- Ejecting Finished Rulon Parts: Finally, the mold is opened, and the finished Rulon part is ejected from the mold cavity.
The process of injection molding Rulon is relatively complex and requires specialized equipment and expertise. It is important to maintain precise control over temperature, pressure, and other factors during the injection molding process to ensure that the finished parts meet the required specifications and is not rejected by quality assurance.
Cryogenic Deflashing Rulon Molded Parts
Rulon parts can be cryogenically deflashed. Cryogenic deflashing is a process that is used to remove excess molding flash from molded plastic & rubber parts. The process involves placing the parts in a chamber with a gaseous nitrogen atmosphere and blasting them with a fine, cryogenic grade blast media while tumbling the parts against one another. The cold temperatures make the flash brittle and the additional mechanisms cause the flash to break away. Cryogenic deflashing can be an effective method for removing excess flash and burrs from Rulon parts without damaging the part or affecting its appearance or performance.
The cryogenic deflashing process is typically performed by a specialized service provider such as Nitrofreeze Cryogenic Solutions that has the equipment and decades of experience to process the parts safely and effectively. The process can be customized to meet the certain requirements of the Rulon parts and to ensure that they meet the supplied flash tolerances by the customer.
Cryogenic Deflashing Sampling Evaluation
Are you interested in sending Rulon sample parts for a no-cost batch deflashing evaluation? We can process and return your Rulon samples in as little as five business days. If you would like to try our process, please contact us at (508) 459-7447X105 or email us at info@nitrofreeze.com.