DuPont Performance Elastomers, L.L.C., Viton® fluoroelastomer historical files
Creation: 1954-2007Abstract
DuPont Performance Elastomers, LLC manufactures and supplies general purpose and specialty elastomer products. Viton, the first fluoroelastomer, grew out of Dr. Dean R. Rexford's (1915-1997) research of DuPont's Organic Chemicals Department in 1954. The material proved remarkably stable when exposed to chemicals, oils, solvents, and high temperatures, making it ideal for seals, gaskets, O-rings, and similar components in the aerospace and automotive industries. This collection contains materials relating to the history of Viton fluoroelastomer assembled for its 50th anniversary in 2007. They include advertisements, trade catalogs, a copy of the original patent, and a company chronology of developments with Viton between 1954 and 1975.
Dates
- Creation: 1954-2007
Creator
- DuPont Performance Elastomers, L.L.C (Organization)
Extent
0.16 Linear Feet
Historical Note
DuPont Performance Elastomers, LLC manufactures and supplies general purpose and specialty elastomer products. An elastomer is an elastic polymer; it includes a wide variety of synthetic and natural rubbers used for everything from sealing to adhesives to flexible parts used in aerospace, automotive, chemical, and other industries.
The company was founded in 1996 as a joint venture between two chemical companies, DuPont Company and Dow Chemical Company as DuPont Dow Elastomers, LLC, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, manufacturing plastics. Dow later sold its interest back to DuPont. It was in part the successor to DuPont's Elastomer Chemicals Department.
Viton, the first fluoroelastomer, grew out of Dr. Dean R. Rexford's (1915-1997) research of the Organic Chemicals Department in 1954. It proved remarkably stable when exposed to chemicals, oils, solvents, and high temperatures, making it ideal for seals, gaskets, O-rings, and similar components in the aerospace and automotive industries. The invention was announced in a 1957 paper in Rubber Age by John S. Rugg (1921-1984) and Arthur Charles Stevenson (1911-2008) and brought to market in the following year.
Scope and Contents
The file contains materials relating to the history of Viton fluoroelastomer assembled for its 50th anniversary in 2007. They include advertisements, trade catalogs, a copy of the original patent, and a company chronology of developments with Viton between 1954 and 1975. A copy of an article from DuPont Magazine is contained on CD. There is also a biographical notice of Dr. Herman E. Schroeder (1915-2009), director of research and development of the Elastomer Chemicals Department, and a copy of his address on the occasion of receiving the Charles Goodyear Medal.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Subjects
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- DuPont Performance Elastomers, L.L.C., Viton® fluoroelastomer historical files
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2022: Angela Schad
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
