BLACKBURN, England (March 2, 2011)—Rubber components maker Metflex Precision Mouldings Ltd. of Blackburn, England, has appointed Ipotec Inc. of Exeter, N.H., as the exclusive sales agent and distributor in North America for products made with Dispersed Fiber Technology.
DFT has been developed by Metflex as a production technology for thin, reinforced rubber diaphragms. Small reinforcing fibers are dispersed throughout the rubber matrix in place of the single fabric layer traditionally used in such applications, the company aid.
Designing with DFT offers significant benefits, Metflex said. Sealing against mating parts is more effective than can be achieved with a thin layer of rubber coated on fabric, and the problem of leakage by wicking along the fabric path is completely eliminated, the firm said.
Designs can easily include variations in rubber thickness and additional molded features, and the parts have improved flexibility and sensitivity, Metflex said.
Ipotec is a distributor and fabricator of high performance elastomer products, including specialty silicone rubber and foam products and molded diaphragms with rubber, fabric, metal and PTFE components.