GE Power Protection of Gent, Belgium, a Division of GE Consumer & Industrial, has dramatically reduced downtime, enhanced the reliability of its key compression molding processes, and cut seal costs by at least Euro 21 000 per year by switching to DuPont Performance Elastomers (DPE) Kalrez® Spectrum^TM 6375 perfluoroelastomer parts. The same Kalrez® O-rings are still functioning well since installation in 2005.

Erik Buysse (right), project leader Toolshop, and Danny Pattijn, Shop Floor Manager Toolshop - GE Power Protection, examine a Kalrez® SpectrumTM 6375 perfluoroelastomer O-ring that has enabled the company to dramatically reduce downtime, enhance the reliability of its key compression molding processes, and cut seal costs by at least Euro 21 000 per year

GE Power Protection is a leading manufacturer of electrical components, enclosures and switchboards for industrial process automation. Its innovative compression-molding production line uses steam at up to 165°C to heat the stamping-press. Steam at this temperature can be aggressive to some other elastomers, and can cause embrittlement, surface cracking and reduction in tensile strength - resulting in significant loss of sealing force. However, Kalrez® Spectrum^TM 6375 perfluoroelastomer parts provide continuous service in temperatures up to 275°C, and may lead to longer seal life, as in the GE Power protection application.

"Realizing that elastomer performance was a critical component in improving seal lifetime, we installed a pilot Kalrez® Spectrum^TM 6375 O-ring in September, 2005, which is still functioning well. As a result, we have had no more standstills to replace O-rings - gaining time, increasing yields, reducing maintenance, and saving an estimated Euro 21 664 per year in seal costs."

"Since the Kalrez® O-rings have also led to greater reliability and a five times increase in Mean Time Between Repair (MTBR), we have decided to upgrade all critical O-rings to Kalrez® Spectrum^TM 6375 parts," Eric Buysse confirmed.