Dupont Vespel Hyfax

Anyone who does side by side testing of all brands of snowmobiles in various snow conditions can tell you that the late model Yamaha sleds are often the first ones to have hyfax issues. This being the case, Yamaha engineers wanted to improve the hyfax durability, reduce the friction between the track clips and the hyfax material, and increase the useable lifespan of the hyfax material.

Having the hyfax last longer reduces the need for maintenance and the associated costs, let alone the inconvenience of having to replace them. Slides need the ability to better withstand extreme abuse caused by snowmobilers riding on less than acceptable trails. Reduced friction between the track clips and slides frees up power and improves efficiency. Ice scratchers are difficult to install on shorter track sleds, so the other option is to improve slides.

Working with Dupont Corporation, Yamaha engineers developed a new style of hyfax material for Yamaha snowmobiles that greatly increased the useable life of the hyfax in their snowmobiles. Now offered as an accessory item, the new hyfax has proven to be very durable.

This hyfax features DuPont Vespel material, a space age polymer/composite material that has been successfully used in clutch bushings in snowmobiles. Vespel is stronger than hardened steel, aluminum or even titanium. Technically speaking, it has a 15-T Rockwell hardness of about 80 (UHMW Hyfax hardness rating is R64). Vespel is capable of withstanding extreme friction and heat environments.

The Vespel pieces are placed at a 45 degree angle across the entire slider for constant contact and even wear. They are made using a compression molding process that impregnates the Vespel into UHMW hyfax plastic. The end result is hyfax that has an incredibly high resistance to wear with a longer lifespan. The reduced track-to-slide friction results in increased efficiency, which means a top speed improvement and fuel efficiency improvement. And they’re better suited to run in poor snow/trail conditions.

Sizes are now available for most late model sleds, not just Yamaha and Arctic Cat applications. This style of hyfax retains the same dimensions as existing slides so they are a direct replacement item. Now available from Tracks USA at 320-382-6128 or www.TracksUSA.com