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Fluoroplastic Technology
permeaflon ® – Oleophobic
pressure-compensation membranes
Berghof pressure-compensation membranes
made from permeaflon ® are capable of protecting
electrical and electronic devices from undesired
pressure fluctuations caused by temperature or altitude
and against penetration by water, dust and dirt.
Especially as functioning parts in an automotive
environment they are exposed to extreme strain but
must always function reliably and continuously.
In terms of its original characteristics the porous
PTFE used in the permeaflon ® membranes – although
it is extremely hydrophobic (water repellent)
owing to its low surface energy – is only slightly
oleophobic (oil repellent). If the customer requests
it especially, it is possible to increase the oleophobic
character of the porous PTFE a great deal by
means of a special treatment, without diminishing
the hydrophobia. We thus create a membrane
which makes both water and oil and other typical
automotive fluids drip off, hence providing perfect
protection for sensitive electronics.
In this way it is possible to meet the requirements
specified by the automotive industry.
According to them over- or underpressure which
builds up in a housing must be compensated
Rear test strips: untreated permeaflon ® membrane wet with oil;
at the front a treated strip of membrane with drops dripping off.
within a specified time. The value usually demanded
for the air flow rate through the membrane is
>15 Nl/h*cm². At the same time, the pressure at
which the water enters via the membrane must be
>0.6 bars (corresponds to a 6 m water column).
In order to guarantee these values in the long
term the membrane must not be wetted by oil and
other typical automotive fluids because then the
ventilation capacity would be reduced.
The oleophobia of our permeaflon® membranes
was tested and confirmed by Hohenstein
Laboratories GmbH & Co. KG (oil repulsion test
in compliance with AATCC 118).
The test fluids used are aliphatic compounds
with different chain lengths and therefore different
surface energies which are dripped onto the material
to be tested. After 30 seconds a test is performed
to establish if the sample was wetted. The thinner
the test fluid, or the lower the energy of the test
fluid which has not yet wet the sample, the higher
the oleophobia rating will be.
.
Dr. Michael Henes
ptfe@berghof.com
The Berghof Group of Companies
Innovation needs space: Berghof Automation Engineering in
Mühlhausen: The inauguration of the new company building
It has taken a year to build: the Berghof Mühlhausen
employees were able to move into the
new building on Langensalzaer Landstraße 23 in
mid-May. The colleagues celebrated the official
inauguration on June 15th 2012 with bidden guests
and friends of the company.
With his architectural approach the architect,
Bamberg from Pfullingen, succeeded in implementing
the new Berghof Group corporate struc-
ture which has been developed in recent years,
by means of a „consistent, innovative“ building
design. For example, the two-storey building
opens up generously towards the outside thanks
to its glass façade, promising transparency and
openness – values which are firmly engrained in
the Berghof Group of companies. The architecture
of the building, the design of the interior areas
and the office furnishings are regarded as a pilot
project for the future design of buildings belonging
to the Berghof Group.
By investing in it the shareholders have honoured
their trust in the many years of excellent
work by the Process Engineering business unit in
Mühlhausen and have given a clear, future-oriented
signal. The new building, and the grounds that
belong to it, create perspectives for further growth
and they amount to a sustainable commitment to
the region and its people.
Berghof Holding
info@berghof.com
10 Berghof News 1/2012