Saint-Gobain Seals has become involved in motorsport this season through its Meldin 5330 gerotors (above), which are used in oil and scavaging pumps in both Formula 1 and MotoGP applications.
The gerotor is a positive displacement pumping unit that consists of two elements: an inner rotor and an outer rotor. The outer rotor has an additional tooth compared to the inner rotor and its central axis is positioned at a fixed eccentricity from the inner rotor and the shaft. Therefore, the rotation of the two elements, one against the other, allows the fluid to be pumped in a smooth movement. Metals are traditionally used to manufacture gerotor elements, either sintered metals or stainless steel or aluminum.
Saint-Gobain Seals developed and tested its Meldin 5330 material (a filled PEEK compound) for this gerotor application for over a year, collaborating with a customer whose functional expectations included weight saving and long wear properties. The polymer material offers a precise fit due to its mechanical properties and offers a good balance between wear resistance and compatibility with the aluminium counter surface. By using a high-performance plastic instead of metal, Saint-Gobain Seal’s gerotor offers weight saving as an additional benefit.
Saint-Gobain Seals also states that the Meldin compound offers additional key properties, such as minimal chemical absorption and deformation, as well as low coefficient of thermal expansion. Since the polymer material minimizes the wear of the gerotor material, sealing capability of the gerotors and finally pump efficiency are also improved.
Saint-Gobain Seals continue, stating that ‘by using the Meldin 5330 plastic, motorsport companies have the confidence that their pumps are protected against pump inefficiency and low wear losses.’
