SKF
Materials Development (SKF Seals)
SKF’s materials development service creates custom seal compounds when existing commercial materials do not meet the required temperature, chemical resistance, friction, or regulatory properties. SKF chemists and material engineers formulate, mix, and test new polyurethane, elastomer, and thermoplastic compounds in dedicated laboratories. The process includes defining the target specification with the customer, formulating candidate compounds, producing test samples, and performing accelerated ageing, mechanical property, and fluid compatibility tests. Once validated, the new material is industrialised for either moulded or machined seal production. This service is invaluable for OEMs developing next-generation equipment that pushes the boundaries of operating conditions, ensuring the seal material is proven before the machine enters the market.
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Trusted by Industry Leaders
Custom Polymer Synthesis
Unique polyurethane and elastomer formulations created in‑house.
Application‑Specific Compounding
Wear resistance, friction, temperature tailored to exact needs.
Rapid Iteration
Lab‑scale mixing and testing of candidate materials.
Industrialisation Path
Smooth transition from laboratory batch to production.
Intellectual Property Protection
Proprietary compounds exclusive to SKF.
Collaborative Development
Work directly with customer engineering teams.
When a Standard Material Couldn’t Handle a New Refrigerant
An HVAC OEM’s new compressor used a low‑GWP refrigerant that swelled standard NBR seals. SKF’s materials lab developed a custom HNBR compound within four weeks that was fully compatible with the new fluid, enabling the OEM to meet their product launch deadline.
From Lab to Production: The Journey of a New Polyurethane
A new Ecopur grade was needed for a fire‑resistant hydraulic fluid. SKF’s chemists synthesised 20 candidate formulations, screened them for ageing and wear in the fluid, and selected the top performer. The compound was then scaled up to production batches, and the first machined seals were delivered to the customer for field trials within three months.