PTFE products
With its excellent chemical and electrical properties, PTFE has a much higher thermal resistance than most other ordinary plastics. PTFE can be used in temperatures ranging from -269°C up to +260°C.
PTFE was discovered back in 1938 by the Chemist Roy Plunkett from the Chemist-Group DuPont (USA) and was introduced to the Trade Market in 1946. PTFE – is a semicrystalline fluoroplastic with high stability against almost all organic and inorganic Chemicals. PTFE doesn’t melt under high heat, but goes rubbery and soft. Therefore it is used for applications with high heat.
PTFE Characteristics
- Temperature resistance in the range of -200°C up to +260°C
- High electrical isolation assets
- Low friction coefficient, without stick-slip-effect
- Pronounced anti-adhesive character
- Physiological harmlessness (fda compliant)
- Excellent weather-, and aging resistance
- Zero water consumption
- Low thermal conductivity
- Extremely low tendency to burn
- PTFE can be used in vacuum conditions.
PTFE Compounds
The Characteristics of PTFE such as compressibility and thermal conductivity can be influenced by giving organic fillers to the Compound. PTFE Compounds are created by adding fillers to optimize the operational demands. By adding fillers, an increase of wear resistance can be achieved from 200 up to 1000 times the value of pure PTFE. The friction coefficient is hardly affected by adding Fillers. On the other hand, the adhesive behavior decreases (other materials do not stick to the surface). The chemical Durability of PTFE depends on the respectively used Filler. Dyeing is possible by bringing special Pigments to the Compound.
Physiological Behavior
At room temperature, PTFE is stable and hardly flammable. Exposure to aggressive substances can change the Compound characteristics. Gas is only released when heated up to over 360°C and it may affect health at that point.
Lubricating characteristics
PTFE has a very low frictional coefficient and because Adhesion is equivalent to the dynamic friction, it has a seamless transition from standstill to movement. PTFE also has extremely low intermolecular forces. Although the frictional status can be affected by different factors, it is eventually save to say that the dynamic and static friction numbers are equal and no stick-slip-effect can occur.
Wearing Behavior
PTFE-pure white is not the top material when it comes to abrasion resistance. The reason for that being that PTFE does not truly melt but sinter in the process. By adding Fillers, the appearance of the Compound can be changed for the individual application.