Members Visit Elastomeric Compounding Specialists
Posted on Mar 26, 2019Members of the UK Gasket & Sealing Association (UKGSA) recently visited Clwyd Compounders in Wrexham to find out more about the elastomeric compounding specialists who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.
Nearly 30 members and visitors toured Clwyd Compounder’s laboratory facilities, factory (including raw material weighing, rubber mixing of coloured and black compounds, & machining/finishing), and warehouse which have grown by 60 and 40 per cent respectively since they moved to their new premises three years ago.
David O’Hare, managing director, explained: “Our new purpose-built facility has enabled us to optimise workflow processes and upgrade all machinery safety systems. We operate above legal requirements with minimal use of PPE which creates a better working environment for our operators.”
He added: “We have segregated our compounding into three distinct areas: silicone and perfluoro-elastomers compounding which requires a clean-room environment and filtered air, an area for coloured organic compounding and a closed area for black compounding.”
Clwyd Compounders shared their history and technical fortes, from formulation to application, focused around compound development, and supported by a fundamental understanding of the curing requirements for elastomers and variable processing requirements; backed by their wealth of material knowledge and the experience of their technical team which includes on-site chemists.
Simon Winfield, chairman of the UKGSA, said: “I was impressed with Clwyd Compounders’ world class testing facilities where they routinely test batches of material compounds for tensile strength, compression set, oils & fluids and high/low temperature resistance as well undertaking complex material analysis using spectrometry, infrared analysis and extraction testing. These facilities are of particular interest as the UKGSA encourages members to aspire to use only good quality materials within production processes.”
The UKGSA organises a number of Technical Visits and networking events during the year. Check out our upcoming events.
