Do you want to know what is PTFE Material? This article aims to introduce various types of PTFE raw materials. If you’re uncertain about choosing the suitable PTFE material, this piece will be of great assistance.
History of PTFE:
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was invented in 1938 by an engineer at DuPont. In 1945, the Teflon Company began mass-producing PTFE for use in the military industry.
Are the Teflon and PTFE the same item?
PTFE is a fluoropolymer, while Teflon is a brand name for PTFE registered by DuPont. Generally, they refer to the same product.
Properties of PTFE:
High-temperature resistance: Teflon material can function at temperatures up to 260 degrees Celsius.
Corrosion resistance: PTFE products are not susceptible to acid and alkali corrosion. This makes them indispensable in the chemical transportation industry.
Non-stickiness: This property is particularly notable in the food industry. where it is used for non-stick pan coatings, kitchen utensils, and more.
Low friction: This characteristic makes PTFE useful for bridge connectors.
Insulation: PTFE’s excellent insulation properties. This makes it useful in the electrical industry, such as cables and wires.
Waterproofing: It is used for textile coating.
Anti-drip: PTFE acts as an anti-drip agent.
Types of PTFE raw material?
Based on particle size, PTFE can be categorized into medium-sized particle resin, small-sized particle resin, free-flow Resin, pre-sintered Resin, and micro powder.
- After some smash process, The primary particles of PTFE are made into PTFE Granular Molding Powders. the particle size in the range of 100 to 180 μm. This grade PTFE Resin with poor fluidity. and it is always processed into simplistic cylindrical, rectangular forms by molding.
- Pulverization by airflow, we will get small-sized particle resin. The particle size is between 20 and 40 μm.
- after some dry or wet granulation processing. The medium-sized particle resin or small-sized particle resin became PTFE Free-flowing Resin. The particle size is between 200-900 microns, characterized by good fluidity. It can be produced to fabricate rod-shaped products, thick-walled tubes, and similar items.
- After drying and then, sintering at a temperature of 300°C. The medium-sized particle PTFE resin will become pre-sintered PTFE resin.
- Micro-powder has an average particle size of 2 to 20 micrometers.
Based on the production method. It can be produced through suspension polymerization and dispersion polymerization. These processes produce PTFE Molding Resin, PTFE Fine Resin, and PTFE Dispersion Liquid.
- Both processes polymerization using water as the medium. Because the PTFE is not insoluble in water. so the product will precipitate from the water, those are the primary particles of PTFE. These are very large particles. After some smash process， we will get the Granular Molding Powders.
- if we add some dispersing agent in the water, we will get primary PTFE Dispersion. When the solid content increases to around 60%, we will get PTFE Aqueous Dispersions. The general particle size range of 0.05~0.5μm.
- PTFE Fine Powder was produced by PTFE liquid, the average particle size is about 450μm
What are the PTFE Applications, Processing, and Products
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) was used in a wide applications. including electrical, chemical, aerospace, medical, automotive, construction, and transportation.
PTFE fine powder is often blended with additives and then paste extruded. The application includes coaxial cables, elastic bands, Teflon seal tape, membranes, and tubes.
PTFE molding resin is used to create large sheets, pipes, and rods. These products will be processed into PTFE skived sheets, gaskets, pipe linings, bellows, and bearings.
PTFE dispersion is always used to produce nonstick coating, lithium battery binders, and Anti-drip.
Micronized powders are mainly used as additives. Such as in paints, pigments, rubber, cosmetics, waxes, inks, adhesives, greases, and lubricants.
How To Choose the PTFE You Need? How much is the cost?
if you don’t know how to Select the suitable grade PTFE material. please contact us for a solution, or choose it as your application.
If you want to know the cost, please send me an email, because the raw material for PTFE is derived from fluorite. you can Forecast prices as the cost of fluorite.
How many PTFE Alternatives can we choose?
If PTFE raw material cannot meet your production needs. you can choose other fluoropolymers, such as FEP, PFA, ETFE, PEEK, and PCTFE, etc.
Each different Teflon product has its characteristics and applications. which I will analyze and describe in separate articles.
Conclusion
PTFE is a versatile, high-performance raw material, that is useful in many industries. From household kitchens to high-tech manufacturing sectors, the impact of PTFE is everywhere. It not only enhances product performance but also improves our daily life quality.
