Minnesota Rubber and Plastics developed the F-Treat process to meet the needs of demanding applications including automotive and appliance assemblies. FKM elastomers, which contain conventional lubricating waxes, are ineffective because high processing temperatures volatilize these ingredients from the elastomers.

Until F-treated FKM elastomers were developed, the only option has been topical modification of the coating with products such as molybdenum disulfide, graphite, silicone oil, or PTFE powder. The drawback to these topical modifications is that the coatings can be washed from the surface and it is often not practical to replenish these coatings in the application.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics' F-Treat process by comparison provides a surface modification to most elastomers with a permanent low coefficient of friction surface. Equally important, the modification is present beneath the surface of the molded component so that if abrasion of the elastomer occurs, a modified low friction surface will always be present.

Laboratory studies of a broad range of elastomer materials clearly show the dramatic reduction for coefficient of friction of F-Treated molded components. Since the modification occurs as a reaction with the polymer, the most dramatic improvement is seen with low hardness, polymer-rich elastomers such as a 55 Shore A compound.

Primary benefits of F-Treated FKM elastomers proven both in test and user applications:
. Provides permanent chemical modification of the elastomer.
. F-Treat exists both on and beneath the surface of the molded component.
. Has minimal effect upon elastomer original and aged properties
. Cannot be washed off or extracted from the elastomer.
. Is effective with any FKM fluoroelastomer.
. Does not affect the FDA approvals of appropriate compounds.
. Is not a coating (e.g., PTFE) that only adheres to the material surface.