“POM plastics – technically known as polyoxymethylenes or polyacetals – are not always the best choice for components and parts,” the company said. “The reason is that they can become brittle over time when the product comes into contact with aggressive fluids. Unstable processes then result from the diminishing functionality of the component. For this reason, Preeflow has launched a stainless steel version of the popular eco-PEN.”
Preeflow has made available both a stainless steel kit with which customer can easily convert the classic plastic preeflow eco-PEN from POM to stainless steel as well a complete stainless steel version of the dispenser. The stainless steel version is resistant to fluxes for soldering, for instance, but also tolerates oxidizing agents such as peroxides or ozone, the company explained. “Even plasticizers, organic and inorganic acids below ph4 can be dispensed in a process-safe manner over a long period of time. This offers advantages for a wide range of industries, especially the chemical industry. The application of the stainless steel version or the stainless steel kit is also beneficial in the electronics sector: Particularly where, for example, adhesives have to be dispensed automatically and at high cycle rates for the construction of housings, the equipment must not be damaged by aggressive substances when it is cleaned.
“In the stainless steel version of the eco-PEN, the threads for the inlet are also made of stainless steel. This offers customers even more safety. Particularly when dispensing processes are automated and a system is operated at enormously high cycle rates, the thread flank in the POM-in the dispenser can deteriorate in quality over time. Pressure and high process speeds may then cause the material feed to break away.
“The stainless steel version is also suited for dispensing moisture-curing silicones and materials that react sensitively to moisture, as POM plastics absorb moisture.
The company advises that if a process and the material to be processed are firmly defined from the outset, it is advisable to use the dispenser for: demanding applications for 1-component and 2-component materials, UV- and light-curing adhesives, as well as thermosetting adhesives and solvents, as well as highly filled materials. “Not to be overlooked are processes in which anaerobic adhesives, shear-sensitive materials, heat-conducting pastes, soldering pastes, silicones, silver-conducting pastes, greases, primers or electrolytic solutions have to be dispensed reliably,” it added.
