NEWS

4Sealing Technology February 2014

manufacturing processes of our pipe plugs – to create a product that is simpler for installers to fit and is safer once in situ.’

With new side handles incorporated into the design, the plugs are now easier to handle and manoeuvre into position. In addition, the top plates are smaller in diameter, making transpor-tation through tight manholes and difficult 90° pipe turns, much easier and quicker.

The multi-size, inflatable flow stopper range is available for underground pipe diameters ranging from 40 mm to 2400 mm, and can be specified with, or without, a bypass.

Contacts:

Trelleborg Ridderkerk Bv, PO Box 4007, Verlengde

Kerkweg 15, 2985 AZ Ridderkerk, The Netherlands.

Tel: +31 180 495555, Fax: +31 180 433080,

Email: infrastructure@trelleborg.com,

Web: www.trelleborg.com/infrastructure

Trelleborg Ab, Group Head Office, PO Box 153,

SE-231 22 Trelleborg, Sweden. Tel: +46 410 670 00,

Fax: +46 410 427 63, Web: www.trelleborg.com

Comflex expansion joints work well in FGD units

James Walker & Co Ltd reports that the high performance of its Comflex

expansion joints enable them to be used in flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units.

According to the firm, material selection is critical in any expansion joint design, but particularly in applications involving FGD. Although they are subjected to relatively low temperatures, compared with joints used in other parts of the plant, they are under constant chemical attack from the FGD process in a damp corrosive environment as cooling gases condense. In addition, they can be physically large – often up to 30 m in length – which brings its own set of problems in terms of phys-ical handling requirements during installation.

As with all expansion joints, those used in FGD units also must be designed and con-structed to be sufficiently flexible to absorb movement, yet strong enough to maintain seal integrity. The Comflex expansion joints for this application use DuPont Viton B fluoroelasto-mer material, with a thickness of 6 mm, rein-forced with a double layer of glass fabric.

All joints are vulcanised, rather than stitched, to create a welded structure. The company says that this combination provides both physi-cal strength and resistance to chemical attack, resulting in a robust joint with a long service

warranty period – far in excess of the perfor-mance life of other materials and joint designs for this application.

Contact:

James Walker & Co Ltd, Sales & Technical Support,

1 Millennium Gate, Westmere Drive, Crewe,

Cheshire CW1 6AY, UK. Tel: +44 1270 536 000,

Fax: +44 1270 536 100,

Web: http://www.jameswalker.biz/en/product_

ranges/8-expansion-joints

Elastomer compounds exceed API 16A testing requirements

Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies has developed new nitrile buta-

diene rubber (NBR) elastomer com-pounds that exceed testing require-ments set out in the API 16A standard.

The company, which develops seal technology and products for the global oil and gas industry, says that the materials have been incorporated into its spherical elements and ram blocks.

‘Our new NBR compound is used in our 13 5/8-inch spherical element and was tested according to API 16A for blowout preven-ter (BOP) elastomer components,’ explained Richard Schmidt, the firm’s president and CEO.

‘Initial results – witnessed by a third party – have this 13 5/8 inch element exceeding the fatigue test and complete shut-off test cycle requirements of the API 16A standard.’

Contact:

Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies,

10035 Brookriver, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77040,

USA. Tel: +1 281 233 1400, Fax: +1 281 894 5232,

Web: www.freudenberg-og.com

Company News

Henniges forms strategic alliance with firms in India and Argentina

Henniges Automotive Holdings Inc, a US-based supplier of seal-

ing and anti-vibration systems for the global automotive market, has recently formed a strategic alliance with two

companies – one based in India and the other in Argentina.

Henniges Automotive says the agreement with Amee Rubber Industries Pvt Ltd – a pro-ducer of sealing systems and moulded rubber parts for cars – enables it to further support its original equipment manufacturer customers in India through the design, development and execution of dynamic sealing products for the automotive industry.

‘For more than 100 years, we have kept vehi-cles quiet and dry. This alliance enable us to bring our longstanding expertise to customers in new markets and further expand our strong global footprint. By growing and establishing agreements in regions such as India, we can better support and drive results for customer programmes with the sealing and anti-vibration products and technologies they need, said Boris Gavric, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Henniges.

‘Amee Rubber has extensive experience work-ing with OEMs in the Indian market, and we are excited to work with and grow alongside our OEM customers and local domestic OEMs.’

With headquarters in Mumbai and a plant in Vapi, Gujarat, Amee Rubber supplies to OEMs Force Motors Ltd, Mahindra Rise Ltd and Tata Motors Group.

Henniges Automotive has also formed a stra-tegic alliance with Burkool Sa, a sealing com-pany based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This agreement focuses on supporting the growth of key automotive OEMs in Argentina and, again, further expands the global footprint of Henniges Automotive.

Doug DelGrosso, President and CEO, Henniges, commented: ‘Partnering with Burkool will enable us to use the company’s long, established relationships and capabilities in South America.’

Matias Graviotto, CEO, Burkool, added: ‘As one of the largest manufacturers of sealing products in Argentina, we are excited to enter into this agreement with Henniges Automotive as it enables us both to expand our reach and deliver high-performance, quality products to our customers.’

Contacts:

Henniges Automotive Holdings Inc, 2750 High

Meadow Circle, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA.

Tel: +1 248 340 4100,

Web: www.hennigesautomotive.com

Amee Rubber Industries Pvt Ltd, 301–302 Samudra

Seema Building, Dr Ambedkar Road (Near LIC colony),

Bandra (W), Mumbai – 400 050, Maharshtra, India.

Tel: +91 22 6128 2828, Fax: +91 22 6128 2800,

Email: info@ameerubber.com,

Web: www.ameerubber.com