Flow control2Ă— diaphragm life-cycle for a German control-valve manufacturer
The client's incumbent supplier delivered slower than valves could be built, causing lost production. Harkesh developed a replacement diaphragm and te…

Case study · HVAC
For one of the leading thermal-actuator manufacturers in the United States, supplying a world-leading maker of indoor heating and cooling systems.
The client's existing FKM diaphragms turned brittle when exposed to high temperatures in HVAC service. Harkesh formulated a high-temperature-resistant FKM and developed three grades.
All three samples passed testing at the client's facility; the final grade passed the end client's criteria in the very first attempt — enabling a contract of over 2 million USD for our client.
Key outcome:
A high-temperature FKM reformulation that passed the end client's tests in the very first attempt — unlocking a contract worth over 2 million USD.
The challenge
The client faced challenges with one of their FKM diaphragms that had to handle extreme high temperatures. They were supplying these diaphragms to one of the world's leading manufacturers of indoor heating and cooling systems.
The existing FKM diaphragms became brittle on exposure to high temperatures, putting the supply at risk.
Our approach
We analysed the requirements and carefully formulated a high-temperature-resistant formulation for FKM.
To give the client the best chance of a fast approval, we developed samples using three different grades and submitted them for rigorous testing.
The results
First time right
Passed first attempt
All three samples passed rigorous testing at the client's facility; the final grade passed the end client's criteria in the very first attempt.
Enabling growth
$2M+ contract
Our quick development and first-attempt success resulted in a contract of over 2 million USD for our client.
Our quick development process and successful testing of the samples in the first attempt resulted in a contract of over 2 million USD for our client.
Materials & application
Questions, answered
They became brittle when exposed to the extreme high temperatures of the HVAC application. We reformulated the FKM to keep its flexibility and sealing performance at temperature.
Developing three high-temperature FKM grades in parallel gave the client and end client options and the best chance of a fast, first-attempt approval — which is exactly what happened.
All three samples passed the client's testing, and the final grade passed the end client's criteria on the first attempt, enabling a contract of over 2 million USD for our client.

Address
Mumbai Office: Harkesh Rubber LLP, 108, Adarsh Industrial Estate, Sahar Road, Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400099
General Enquiries
contact@harkeshrubber.com
Business Phone
+91-22-40060400
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