* These reports are re-edited versions based on the Japanese originals published in the Mitsubishi Cable Industries Review No. 110 (2023).

 

＞ Fixing mechanism between fluoroelastomers and metals: Physical property, surface analysis, and copolymerization ratio

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　■ Author：Hiroki Tsumura

　Fluoroelastomers, commonly referred to as FKM, are widely utilized as sealing materials because of their excellent
resistance to high temperatures and various chemicals. However, achieving robust fixing to metal surfaces remains a
significant challenge in FKM application. Several techniques such as the chemical surface treatment and lubricant
bleeding have been proposed to address this challenge. However, the underlying fixing mechanism remains unclear. In
this report, we investigate the fixing mechanism between FKM and metals and discuss their dependency on stress
relaxation and copolymerization ratio.

keyword: fluoroelastmer, FKM, fixing mechanism, stress relaxation, fixing interface, copolymerization ratio
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＞ Adhesive-free joining technology for hard-to-adhere rubber and metals

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　■ Author：Tetsuya Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Kashihara, Keiko Ashida

　Vinylidene-fluoride-based fluoroelastomers (FKM) are characterized by their inherently poor adhesion to metals. To
address this issue, we developed a novel adhesive-free joining technique for FKM and metals. The proposed technique
uses pulsed laser texturing to roughen the metal surface, enhancing the anchoring effect to aid the rubber material to
adhere, followed by subsequent vulcanization. Under optimized process conditions, the peel strength of the FKM bonded
on the surface of stainless steel and aluminum plates can be sufficiently increased to induce cohesive fracture within the
rubber material without adhesive bonding.

keyword: laser processing, metal surface roughening, fluoroelastmer, FKM, stainless steel, aluminum
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