Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin is a highly effective material for seal consumers due to its extremely low friction, high heat tolerance and chemical inertness.
With the right additives, PTFE resin can perform even better in terms of strength, thermal performance, chemical resistance and abrasion.
However, there are a few design considerations when using PTFE resin, particularly when combined with glass fiber and bronze.
A common household form of PTFE is Teflon, which you’ll recognize as the slippery plastic used in non-stick frypans.
PTFE was discovered in the 1930s as an accidental byproduct in chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant production. It’s a synthetic compound consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine — a fluorocarbon.
PTFE is hydrophobic, so doesn’t get wet due to the high electronegativity of fluorine. It’s also chemically non-reactive, mainly because of the ‘independent’ strength of the carbon–fluorine bonds. This suits the resin well for reactive and corrosive chemical environments.
Where it is used as a lubricant or seal, PTFE has the huge benefits of reducing friction, wear and energy consumption of machinery.
After extensive experimentation and time-tested performance, the following additives/fillers have come to be strategically used to enhance PTFE performance:
There are a couple of cons to glass fiber, including abrasion on mating parts and discoloration of finished parts.
PTFE seals , with their exceptional performance, are used for a myriad of applications, including:
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