Move to set up global seals-testing protocols

Plymouth, Michigan — Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies and the US Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM) have launched their new committee on seals and gaskets.

The committee met for the first time on 25 Feb, gathering 30 representatives from original equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

Freudenberg-NOK confirmed that 22 different companies were represented. Others in attendance included: 3M, AIAG, Apple Rubber Products, BRP Manufacturing, Bruss North America Inc., Chrysler Materials, Dupont, Federal-Mogul Powertrain, General Motors, Grace Technology, Hexpol Compounding, Lanxess, Momentive Performance Materials, Robin Industries, Solvay Specialty Polymers, Thermoseal, Trelleborg, Trostel, Wacker Chemical and Zeon.

Freudenberg-NOK said a second meeting is scheduled for 2 June at AIAG's headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. At that time, the committee plans to prioritise what standards it wants to address and begin developing subcommittees to focus on these issues.

Joseph Walker — Freudenberg-NOK's global director, advanced materials development — is leading the committee. He said in a release the committee hopes to attract additional industry participants.

“The committee is not limited to a particular market or number of participants,” Walker said in a statement. “We hope to generate a broad level of support and leverage wide expertise in establishing priorities and projects that will benefit the entire rubber industry.”

Freudenberg-NOK said the committee will work across markets and interface with other organizations, such as the Automotive Industry Action Group in North America and VDA in Germany, in an effort to harmonise expectations and establish global material testing protocols for issues as universal as turbocharged engine blow-by gases, exhaust gas recirculation and crank case ventilation testing.