Many industries use compressors. Depending on your industry, do you know which are the best compressor materials for you?
What do filling soft vehicle tires, coming into a cool house on a blazing hot day, or grabbing a snack from the fridge have in common? Each of these tasks requires the use of a compressor in one way or another.
For example, one needs a proper functioning air compressor to keep the refrigerator cold and the air conditioner working. That is why it is critical to have the air conditioner serviced and maintained by professionals from companies similar to One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. When air conditioners are serviced on a regular basis, their compressors are less likely to fail. However, like any other machine, it is prone to breakdown after a certain period of time, following which it could be mandatory to opt for either a compressor or an AC Replacement. Apparently, a new compressor can give the air conditioner a longer life.
Compressors are used for a large variety of things, and there are several different types of compressors, too. Whether for a reciprocating compressor, rotary vane compressor, or another type, it is critical to choose the right compressor materials for repairing and maintaining the machine.
First, though it’s a good idea to understand why this holds such high importance.
How Compression Creates the Heating and Cooling Cycle
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that compression of a gas leads to higher temperatures, whereas decompression of that same gas leads to lower temperatures.
This concept is the foundation of refrigeration via compression.
The gas (usually a coolant) travels through the compressor, where it is compressed and heated, but then moves to the condenser, where it condenses and cools.
Meanwhile, something called the metering device drops the pressure to help allow this to happen. Suddenly, refrigeration has occurred, and perishables can stay cold and houses can stay cooler in the summertime.
The Importance of Air and Gas Compression
Compression makes things like air conditioning and refrigeration possible.
Compression is a way of controlling, regulating and augmenting the heating and cooling cycle described above, as an element moves from gas to liquid and back again.
Without the ability to compress a gas material, society would be stuck in the 19th Century. Without compression technology, people would still be driving around by horse and buggy and using iceboxes to keep food from spoiling. Similarly, without such technology, restaurants, pubs, and bars would not be able to serve chilled drinks or would still be using cold rocks as a coolant. Thanks to compression and the undercounter ice machine that helps restaurants serve drinks to the diners properly.
Parts of a Compressor
Most types of compressors have a few main components in common, such as the cylinder, crankshaft, piston, or the piston rod.
One of the most important parts of any compressor is the compressor valve, because this is what regulates the flow of the refrigerant vapor through the machine.
There are several necessary parts to keep a compressor valve functioning properly:
- Spring Plates
- Ported Plates
- Wafer Plates
- Valve Plates
- Radius Rings
- Locknuts
- Bullets
- Damping and Cushion Plates
- Studs
- Poppets
- Centre Bolts
These are only some of the many parts to a compressor and its valve(s).
The repair and maintenance of such an intricate machine should be taken seriously in order to maximize safety and efficiency.
For the operation of a highly productive compressor, it is imperative to ensure that these parts are durable and sustainable. They require compressor materials of the highest possible quality, and your materials will vary based on your compression needs.
Varying Types of Compressor Materials
There are numerous compressor materials which could be used in the manufacturing of the above compressor valve parts and others, too.
Thermoplastic
One common type of material is a thermoplastic, which is a polymer that softens upon heating, making it able to be molded into a certain shape. Then, upon cooling, it hardens.
Nylon
Nylon is one such kind of material used in making various compressor valve parts. It is made of something called polyamide, and is 30% glass fiber reinforced.
Furthermore, this is a hydrolysis resistant and heat stabilized material. It is usually lubricated for better flow of the refrigerant, and meant to help the refrigerant maintain its physical properties as much as possible through the different phase changes it undergoes.
PEEK
PEEK, also known as polyetheretherketone, is also 30% reinforced by glass fibers for strength and durability. Furthermore, it is good for sterilizing things such as food contact surfaces and medical devices. Certain models are even compliant with the FDA.
This material has a low coefficient (a multiplying factor for determining a specific property) for better thermal expansion. PEEK is ideal for use in a static compression system versus a dynamic one.
Carbon-PEEK
Carbon-PEEK is a similar material, except that it is reinforced with carbon fibers instead of glass.
This is a high performance thermoplastic material that is also semi crystalline. Carbon-PEEK does not wear or break down easily, and it has a low coefficient of friction.
MT
MT stands for “Mid Temperature,” a gas-filled nylon material. This material has good strength and heat resistance, and like Carbon-PEEK, it possesses great strength and durability.
Choosing Your Material
These and other compressor materials each have their strengths and weakness, so it would be wise to seek professional advice regarding which materials may or may not work best for the type of compression needed.
The information above should help provide a basic breakdown of these main components, but they are each part of a complicated testing system with many properties, so it is likely that additional research will be necessary. For instance, in case you are planning to get a new cooling system for your office space, you might want to get in touch with an HVAC expert and take their suggestion. For instance, if you are from North Carolina, looking up commercial hvac contractors North Carolina on the web might help you in finding a cooling system expert who can advise on what sort of machinery to buy. These experts can also come in handy when you need repair for such appliances.
Getting Professional Help
When it comes to ensuring the quality and efficiency of a compression machine, it will be important to trust a dependable company that is committed to providing only the best quality parts and materials.
Experience, customer service, and the variety of parts available are all factors to consider when choosing the right compression valve repair service or manufacturer. KB Delta can help.