APTIV film expanded mesh enables high performance filtration in harsh environments

Dexmet chose APTIV film made with VICTREX PEEK polymer to add to their portfolio where an expansion procedure using specifically designed proprietary equipment and processes are used to produce diamond configured, open area mesh products.

“APTIV film was selected to expand our high temperature PolyGrid product line,” said Ken Burtt, VP of sales and marketing at Dexmet, “But we consider it more of a ‘high performance’ PolyGrid material since its unique performance capabilities provide chemical resistance and mechanical strength combined with high temperature capabilities which is especially beneficial in certain applications in harsh environments.”

Critical applications requiring high temperature stability to filter caustic gases or fluids, such as in the semiconductor, chemical processing, and petroleum/gas industries, have traditionally used polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy copolymer (PFA), and ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE).

“All of these materials provide excellent temperature and chemical resistance but none match the mechanical strength provided by the expanded APTIV films,” explained Burtt. “With the continual increase in demands on filter performance, VICTREX PEEK-based PolyGrid is the solution to meet the critical performance challenges.”

In the fuel cell industry, manufacturers continue to increase the performance of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) used in a fuel cell. “Manufacturers are experimenting with different materials as a membrane substrate to adhere the catalyst, which is typically made up of a mixture of carbon and platinum,” explained Burtt.

“They need a material that has high temperature capability along with good mechanical strength. As manufacturers increase the performance of their cell, the pressures will increase and mechanical strength of the membrane will become more critical. Current materials typically used are polyimides (PI) and sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) but as these materials reach their performance limits, APTIV film has become the next logical choice.”

“When Dexmet approached us they were familiar with PEEK but our ability to offer them this performance capability in a thin film format was revolutionary,” said Tim Herr, global films business leader, Victrex Polymer Solutions. “Combining our material with their processing capability represents a significant advantage for Dexmet’s customers to tailor a solution to their end use application requirements.”

To reduce weight and increase efficiency, aerospace manufacturers are using more and more carbon fiber to replace aluminum in structural components. “By putting carbon materials together with either copper or aluminum, a galvanic reactNike LunarEpic Low Flyknit