PTFE Properties

PTFE is a highly useful plastic material polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is one of

a class of plastics known as fluoropolymers. A polymer is a compound formed by a
chemical reaction which combines particles into groups of repeating large
molecules. Many common synthetic fibers are polymers, such as polyester and
nylon. PTFE is the polymerized form of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE has many unique
properties, which make it valuable in scores of applications. It has a very high
melting point, and is also stable at very low temperatures. It can be dissolved by
nothing but hot fluorine gas or certain molten metals, so it is extremely resistant to
corrosion. It is also very slick and slippery. This makes it an excellent material for
coating machine parts which are subjected to heat, wear, and friction, therefore the
first choice for most engineering solutions. PTFE has low electrical conductivity, so it
makes a good electrical insulator. And it is essential to the manufacture of semiconductors. PTFE is also found in a variety of medical applications, such as in
vascular grafts, although there are restrictions as to the use of PTFE associated with
medical devices, please consult us on specific application requirements.
PTFE can be produced in a number of ways, depending on the particular traits
desired for the end product. Many specifics of the process are proprietary secrets of
the manufacturers. There are two main methods of producing PTFE. One is
suspension polymerization. In this method, the TFE is polymerized in water,
resulting in grains of PTFE. The grains can be further processed into pellets which
can be molded. In the dispersion method, the resulting PTFE is a milky paste which
can be processed into a fine powder. Both the paste and powder are used in coating
applications.
PTFE: The Mechanics
PTFE coatings are extraordinarily resistant to chemical attack and the surface
energy is very low. This means that liquids do not readily wet the solid and other
solids do not adhere strongly to the PTFE coating. These properties render PTFE
very valuable for forming protective surface coatings, in a wide range of
applications from non-stick cookware to surgical sutures. However, the very
properties that make PTFE coatings so useful in such applications also make it very
difficult to form PTFE coatings which are sufficiently adherent to their substrates. In
practice, PTFE coatings do rely on a mechanical key for their adherence to their
substrates and by sintering at an elevated temperature, this does depend upon the
type of PTFE coating selected. However, some coating systems, particularly single
coat systems can be applied without the requirements of mechanical surface impact
preparation, in which case, please discuss your particular specification with us.
The most common method of application is by means of spray application and
provides for a very accurate method of applying PTFE coatings. The spray method is
applicable to PTFE coatings on a wide range of substrates, this method is believed
to be the best solution for geometric components.

The bond between the substrate and the PTFE coating is created by means of
blasting the substrate with a dry abrasive. This method has more than one positive
effect on the substrate. Firstly and most important, it provides for a key for the
coating to adhere to. Secondly, it increases the surface area of the substrate, which
takes advantage of the applied coating to search every opportunity to attach to the
substrate. Thirdly, the blasting process aids to the cleaning process of the substrate
prior to the application of the PTFE coating removing any surface contamination.
Typical dry film thickness (DFT), range from 10 to 100 microns. However, the
thickness of the applied coating will be subject to the coating system and the
requirements of the customer. The part can be made of any metallic substrate. The
surface of the part has to be specially prepared to receive the PTFE. Firstly, the part
must be free from all surface contaminants, oils or surfactants, and therefore it is
most important to degrease the part fully. This can be achieved by temperature or
by means of a solvent. In specific cases there may be a need for a chemical
cleaning operation, subject to the specification required.
Now the part is ready for the PTFE coating. As described previously, the coating is
applied by spray method, by the use of an air aspirated spray gun. The coating may
be of a single coat system or a multi coat system, applying one or more coats which
can include a prescribed primer. The exact formulation of the coating systems are
retained by each manufacturer. Once the coating has been applied, the coating will
be allowed to flash off, this is to ensure the carriers (solvents or water) have
had sufficient time to evaporate, this part of the process takes place at a low
temperature. Should the PTFE coating system be of more than one coat, sufficient
time is allowed between each applied coating. Some coating will require a
stepped cure schedule before the full cure temperature and duration is achieved.
Once the component has been fully cured in accordance with the prescribed
technical data sheet, the components are cooled to an ambient temperature.
Quality control measures take places at various stages throughout the application
process. Such measures can include viscosity checks on the coating material and
mechanical test of the cured coating to determine the adherence and hardness of
the fully cured coated system. In process controls includes recording of both time
and temperature of the cure schedule, this is achieved by digital recording
equipment. Such information is retained for further scrutiny by our internal Quality
Management System and by our external certifying authority, British Standards. In
addition, material manufacturers visit our premises to ensure adherence to the
specifications, guidelines and values of the products used. Discreet documentation
can be secured from material manufacturers to support customers requirements.
PTFE Innovations
PTFE coatings also referred to as Teflon coating and Xylan coating have
traditionally been applied firstly to cookware and then engineered products.
However, now there are other applications for Teflon and Xylan coatings. By
thinking outside the box or blue sky thinking call it what you will, Fluoro

Precision Coatings have developed techniques and procedures for taking Teflon
and Xylan coatings to a new level. By taking the opportunity to evaluate each and
every enquiry with a discipline that is required by customers, Fluoro Precision
Coatings have extended the potential applications where the coatings can be used
and used to make a difference. Those differences manifest themselves in terms of
product performance, cost benefits and customer satisfaction.
With over four decades of engineering and coating experience at the disposal to our
customers, we at Fluoro Precision Coatings pride ourselves at discovering new and
innovated ways that both Teflon and Xylan coatings can be processed and
applied to engineered components. Non-metallic substrates are now within the
sights of PTFE coatings giving enhanced performance to materials such Viton,
Nitrile, Glass, Polyurethane and other composite materials such as carbon fibre. In
addition, materials such as Inconel, Brass and Copper that have been previously,
seen up to now as being difficult to have a PTFE coating applied, are now in the
sights of the range of coatings.
PTFE Coating Selection
The selection of the correct grade of P.T.F.E. is important for the best performance
results. Industrial coatings can be applied to steels, alloys, brass, aluminium and
special materials such as Inconel. Elastomers and plastics are also included as
suitable substrates to be coated. For optimum adhesion, the substrate requires
abrading to secure good bond between the PTFE and the product.
When discussing PTFE coatings, the reference is also made to Fluoropolymers. What
are fluoropolymers? Fluoropolymers are a kind of super plastic a highperformance material with unique strength and durability.
Fluoropolymers are probably best known for their use as a coating in non-stick cookand bakeware, and in the rugged, all-weather apparel favoured by skiers, sportsmen
and other enthusiasts of the great outdoors. But fluoropolymers have dozens of
other major applications that are essential to modern life, including critical uses in
aviation, electronics, telecommunications, automobiles and trucks, pollution control
and national security.
Fluoropolymers are relied upon because of their unique properties, including
significant chemical and heat resistance and a great ability to withstand corrosion,
even in the most challenging environments.
Fluoropolymers are integral to a clean environment, to a globalized and
interconnected world, to a vigorous economy, and to the safety and security of the
public.
Questions have been raised regarding a few of the chemicals used to make
fluoropolymers. These chemicals are not ingredients in fluoropolymers or products
made with fluoropolymers, but instead are used as a processing aid at the initial
stages of fluoropolymer production.

It is important to note that products made with fluoropolymers are safe. This is
supported by decades of research and statements by U.S. and international
regulatory agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the
European Food Safety Authority which affirms the safety and reliability of
fluoropolymers in their various uses.
Some of the most popular product names within industrial
manufactured to accommodate a wide range of performances.

coatings

are

Teflon
Xylan
Emralon
Excalibur
The above are registered names for systems within the industry and have the ability
to perform different functions, from pure non-stick to outstanding abrasion
resistance.
Key attributes of PTFE Coatings
Strength (high strength-to-weight ratio)
Chemical inertness
Biocompatibility
High thermal resistance
High chemical resistance in harsh environments
Low flammability
Low coefficient of friction
Low dielectric constant
Low water adsorption
Good weathering properties
Therefore, industrial coatings can be identified by the following main headings:
1. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), providing excellent non-stick properties,
these materials have the highest operating temperature of any fluoropolymer
and can operate at 260C and have extremely low coefficient of friction
coupled with good abrasion and chemical resistance. These coatings are
either single or two-coat systems, comprising of a primer and topcoat and for
premium systems three coat systems are available. PTFE is available in
aqueous based forms. (View more in Glossary of Terms)
2. FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylenecopolymer), these materials provide
excellent chemical resistance in addition to low friction as well as high
performing non-stick properties. Maximum operating temperature is 204C,
however at the cure stage the material melts and flows to produce a
nonporous film. FEP is available in both aqueous and powder forms. (View
more in Glossary of Terms)

3. PFA (perfluoroalcoxy), offers the additional benefits of higher in-use

continuous temperatures 260C, coupled with coat thicknesses up to 1,000
micrometers gives greater toughness than PTFE or FEP. PFA also provides
good non-stick properties, during the curing stage the PFA coating flows and
melts giving a nonporous film. This combination of properties enables PFA to
be selected for a wide range of applications, particularly those involving a
requirement for chemical resistance. PFA is available in both aqueous and
powder forms. (View more in Glossary of Terms)
4. ETFE is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, although not fully
fluorinated, ETFE has excellent chemical resistance and can operate
continuously at 149C. This product can be applied to produce coatings up to
1,000 micrometers, to provide a highly durable finish. The resins within ETFE
are the toughest within the fluoropolymer range. ETFE is available in powder
form. (View more in Glossary of Terms)
5. One coat systems are formulated with special blends of fluoropolymers
along with high-performance resins, providing toughness and abrasion
resistance. During the cure cycle the coating components stratify and most of
the fluoropolymer properties, such as low friction and non-stick, are retained.
The resins offer good adhesion and abrasion resistance. These products can
be applied to smooth and pre-cleaned substrates.

PTFE Guide to Formulation

This section provides a background to some of the elements involved with the
formulations and offers an insight as to why the coatings are so varied both in
performance and visual appearance. Formulations of PTFE coatings are created to
produce a coating that operates under differing circumstances, as well being able to
produce a film that can be sprayed. Manufacturers such as Du Pont that produce
Teflon products and Whitford Ltd that produce Xylan products, continue to
formulate and reformulate PTFE coating systems to optimize their functional
performance.
Ingredients are selected to offer the required properties to suit different
applications. Binders are added to the range of non-stick coatings to ensure that
the coating adheres to the substrate and pigments give the coating not only colour
but the potential for disguising surface irregularities. Additives are included to assist
with the spraying of the material, particularly to helping with the flow and the
settling of the product onto the substrate to prevent sagging of the wet applied
coating.
Take a closer look at the ingredients
Binders.
These products provide adhesion to the substrate and are particularly important in
one-coat systems and in primers. The choice can be restricted because of the cure
temperatures of fluoropoloymers and can include:
PAI: PolyAmide Imide
PES: Polyether Sulphone
PPS: PolyPhenylene Sulfide
Epoxy
Such binders will, during the curing stage of the coating, allow for the migration of
the PFTE to predominantly rise to the top above the binders, thus making way for
the attributes of the coating to be at the contact face.
Pigments. Various products are included within the formulation and some of them
are listed below:
Carbon Blacks
Titanium oxide
Extenders
Chromium oxide
Mica Flakes
Ultramarine Blue
Aluminium Flakes
These products, individually or together can produce a very diverse range of
colours. However, it must be stressed that PTFE coatings are not designed as a

decorative product, pigments play an important role in tandem with other products
to produce the final coating system.

Solvents. Such products are added not only to assist in the chemical reaction
during cure but also act as a carrier to enable the product to be sprayed in a
manner which will produce an even coating. Solvents are either pure solvents or
mixed with water, such water-based coatings are becoming more important when
meeting environmental issues. Generally, water-based materials are used for
coating systems used in Cookware and Industrial applications. Solvent based
coating systems are used for Bake-ware, Electrical Appliance and Industrial
applications.
Additives. Manufactures add materials to the formulations that will impart
particular properties into the coating to produce different attributes. These additives
can stabilise the material as well as enhance the flow of the material during the
application process. The viscosity can also be changed by additives and most
important, additives can play a part in reducing foaming and reduce the settling
effect of the product. Another key additive is to eliminate the condition known as
fish eyes within the applied coating, enabling the coating to wet out.
Fluoropolymer coatings are not pure fluoropolymers. Since fluoropolymers
are soft, they do not provide good adhesion alone. Fluoropolymer coatings include
binders resins, which act like glue, holding fluoropolymers in place as well as
reinforcing
them.
The
most
used
fluoropolymers
resins
are
PTFE
(polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) and PFA
(perfluoroalkoxy). FEP and PFA are generally used mostly as thick film coatings.
PTFE is nor melt processible and is used mostly in granular form as part of the
dispersion. PTFE makes the best dry-film lubricant. The amount of PTFE relative to
binder resin determines the amount of lubricity of the coating. PTFE does not affect
chemical of corrosion resistance.
PTFE Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is the essential first stage treatment of a substrate before the
application of any PTFE coating. The performance of the coating is significantly
influenced by its ability to adhere properly to the substrate material. It is generally
well established that correct surface preparation is the most important factor
affecting the total success of surface treatment. The presence of even small
amounts of surface contaminants, oil, grease, oxides etc. can physically impair and
reduce coating adhesion to the substrate. In summary, the importance of a
chemically clean substrate to provide the best possible contact surface for the
applied PTFE coating cannot be over-emphasised.
Residues of oil, grease, marking inks, cutting oils etc. after manufacturing
operations will seriously affect the adhesion of applied coatings and must be
removed. It is erroneous to think that subsequent cleaning operations will remove

such contaminants and it is bad practice to permit them to remain on the surface.
Failure to remove these contaminants before blast cleaning results in them being
distributed over the steel surface and contaminating the abrasive. Suitable organic
solvents, emulsion degreasing agents or equivalents should be applied to remove
contaminants in preparation for subsequent descaling treatments.
The type and size of the abrasive used in blast cleaning have a significant effect on
the profile or amplitude produced. In addition to the degree of cleanliness, surface
preparation specifications need to consider roughness relative to the coating to be
applied. For example, shot abrasives are used for thin film paint coatings such as
pre-fabrication primers, whereas thick or high build paint coatings and thermally
sprayed metal coatings need a coarse angular surface profile to provide a
mechanical key. Inadequate quality control and lack of restriction of large abrasive
particle sizes for thin priming coats can lead to peaks of the blast cleaned surface
not being adequately covered and may produce rust spots very quickly.
The blast cleaning operation produces large quantities of dust and debris which
must be removed from the abraded surface. Automatic plants are usually equipped
with mechanical brushes and air blowers. Other methods can utilise sweeping and
vacuum cleaning. However, the effectiveness of these cleaning operations may not
be readily visible and the presence of fine residual dust particles that could interfere
with coating adhesion.
Dry abrasive blast cleaning can achieve a high standard of surface cleanliness using
versatile blast cleaning equipment at relatively low cost. By means of specially
adapted equipment, it is now possible to enclose and recover abrasives and
particulate matter within an enclosed vacuum system. The equipment enables a
fairly dust-free surface to be produced and the recycling of the abrasive.
PTFE Coating Process
The term "PTFE" as used is intended to embrace both PTFE homopolymers and
polymers formed by copolymerising tetrafluoroethylene with other monomers.
Polymers of fluoroethylene containing other halogens are also included, as are
mixtures of polymers of different composition. Polymers may be of different chain
lengths (molecular weights), molecular weight. If desired, other particles, such as
mineral particles of a pigmented character, may be included with PTFE particles.
The bonding of the PTFE coating and the material of the substrate is as a result of
mechanical keying between the PTFE and the surface of the substrate.
The PTFE particles are preferably less than 100 microns in diameter, and more
preferably less than 50 microns in diameter. Particularly preferred are PTFE particles
having a maximum diameter less than 30 microns.
In conventional or air atomized spraying, the coating is supplied to a spray gun by
siphon, gravity, or pressure feed. When the gun trigger is pulled, the coating flows
through the nozzle as a fluid stream. Compressed air from the centre of the nozzle

surrounds the fluid with a hollow cone as it leaves the nozzle, breaking the coating
into small droplets and transferring velocity to it. Additional jets of compressed air
from the nozzle break up the droplets further and form an elliptical pattern.
In electrostatic coating, the fluid is atomized, then negatively charged. The part to
be coated is electrically neutral, making the part positive with respect to the
negative coating droplets. The coating particles are attracted to the surface and
held there by the charge differential until cured.
With an electrostatic spray gun, the droplets pick up the charge from an electrically
charged electrode at the tip of the gun. The charged particles are given their initial
momentum from the fluid pressure/air pressure combination. Electrostatic spraying
offers high transfer efficiency (65 % to 95 %) and excellent edge coverage. The
attraction between paint droplets and the part is strong enough to cause paint
overspray that misses the part to curve back, which contributes to the high transfer
effiencies.
Electrostatic application does not coat recessed areas (Faraday cages) as well as
nonelectrostatic application. The charged droplets tend to be attracted to the sides
of the recess and sharp edges instead of penetrating to the bottom.
All electrically conductive materials near the spray area such as the material supply,
containers, and spray equipment must be grounded to prevent static buildup. All
hangers, conveyors, etc. must be kept clean to ensure conductivity to ground.
Charges build up on ungrounded surfaces. Operators grounding out these surfaces
may receive a severe electrostatic shock.
Conventional air spray is the oldest spray process. It offers the best control of spray
patterns and degree of atomization. This system produces the finest atomization
and, therefore, the finest finishes. Conventional spray will also spray the widest
range of coating materials of the four techniques.
The PTFE particles may be delivered to the surface of the applicator in the dry state,
but it has been found to be more convenient to "deliver the PTFE particles to the
surface of the applicator in the form of a liquid dispersion. Preferably, the dispersing
solvent is sufficiently volatile to evaporate almost instantly, leaving the particles in
a substantially dry state, A suitable dispersing solvent is trichlorotrifluoroethane,
though other low-boiling halogenated hydrocarbons can also be used.
PTFE is extraordinarily resistant to chemical attack, and the surface free energy of
solid PTFE is very low. This means that liquids do not readily wet the solid, and other
solids do not adhere strongly. These properties render PTFE very valuable for
forming protective surface coatings, in a wide range of applications from non-stick
cookware to engineered products. Methods employed for coating with PTFE is to
spray onto the substrate a dispersion of low molecular weight solids of PTFE
suspended in a suitable liquid such as solvents or water, known as the carrier and
then to evaporate the carrier. Such coatings are sometimes sintered or even buffed
in order to increase the uniformity of the coating. However, coatings formed by this

method can be used as a single coat application such as in mould release

applications or as release layer. The method of application can be applied to a wide
range of substrates, and produces a type of PTFE coating which is both tough and
durable. Some PTFE coating systems can be of a multi coat type, which includes
both primers and mid coats being applied before the final coat. Typical film
thicknesses are from 10 to 100 microns thick, for example from 20. to 50 nm thick. .
A usual characteristic of the process is that the aqueous PTFE coatings are
effectively self-limiting in thickness. However, PFA (powder) coating can be
deposited with additional thickness.
Permeation of PTFE
It is well known that in certain circumstances permeation through fluorpolymers can
cause issues with lined piping systems. What follows is an explanation of the
important factors that influence permeation. In particular, consideration will be
given to (i) the mechanisms of permeation (ii) factors that influence the rate of
permeation, and (iii) a discussion of the relative merits of different fabrication
methods used in manufacturing fluoropolymer lined piping systems with regard to
permeation.
Nb. It should be noted that what follows will only give consideration to PTFE and
PFA.
(i) Mechanisms of Permeation
Polymer Structure
To understand how molecules can permeate through fluoropolymers, it is necessary
to understand the basic chemical structure of these materials. Both PTFE and PFA
are made up of long chains of carbon atoms, surrounded by fluorine atoms, as
shown in the diagrams below.
Each carbon atom in the chain (which may be a thousand or more atoms long), has
two fluorine atoms bonded to it. Given that:
(1) the carbon carbon bond is strong and the carbon fluorine bond is one of the
strongest chemical bonds known,
(2) the resulting molecule is very simple in structure (only carbon and fluorine
atoms) and
(3) the shape of the molecule is such that the exterior of the molecule is made up of
a closely packed helical sheath of fluorine atoms protecting the carbon atoms that
make up its backbone,
the result is an extremely strong molecule, that is almost entirely impervious to
chemical attack.
When PTFE and PFA molecules are in their bulk form, they comprise a mixture of
crytalline and amorphous (non-crystalline) components. When these two structures

are examined in detail, it is found that the crystalline components are denser in
comparison to the amorphous ones.
As a result of its unique structure, there are 3 distinct ways in which permeation can
occur:
Permeation Type 1
Physically very small molecules, such as helium, water or carbon dioxide can
permeate through PTFE and PFA. This happens because the molecules are
sufficiently small to allow them to pass through the structure of the polymer in the
gaps between the individual polymer molecules. It has been found that this type of
permeation is largely absent in the crystalline components of PTFE and PFA because
within crystals the individual molecules form an orderly structure, leaving little
space for other molecules to pass through. In the amorphous components, the
molecules are arranged in a random fashion, resulting in a structure that is about
15% less dense than the crystalline one, thus leaving more space between
individual polymer molecules, making the structure more permeable. It should be
noted that while these very small molecules can permeate through the structure of
PTFE and PFA, the permeation process does not cause any damage to its structure,
its corrosion resisting and its non-stick properties.
Permeation Type 2
Atoms that are chemically similar to fluorine, such as chlorine and bromine, can
permeate through the structure of PTFE and PFA. Here the permeation mechanism is
one of substitution of atoms in the polymer chains. A chlorine atom, say, takes the
place of a fluorine atom on a PTFE polymer chain on the surface of the PTFE. It can
then jump from there to a PTFE molecule further into the structure, and so on
through the entire thickness of the material.
It should be noted that at a molecular level, this transfer of individual atoms
between molecules is quite normal, in this case fluorine atoms jumping from one
PTFE molecule to another. Therefore, the transfer of other atoms through the
thickness of the PTFE does not cause any damage to the overall structure of the
polymer.
(ii) Factors Influencing the Rate of Permeation
The rate at which materials can permeate through the thickness of a piece PTFE or
PFA is governed by a wide variety of factors, which result in greatly varying rates of
permeation. In many circumstances, a piece of lined equipment may be in service
for 20 or more years without any evidence of permeation. However, there can be
circumstances where permeation will become evident in a matter of weeks or
months after a piece of equipment is put into service. Over the course of many
years of research, the following factors have been found to have a major influence
on the rate of permeation:
1. The polymer layer thickness

2. The temperature
3. The pressure differential across the polymer layer
4. The concentration of permeant in the contained fluid
Dealing with each of these in turn:
1. Polymer Layer Thickness
If two polymer layers, made of identical material, fabricated in the same manner
were tested for rate of permeation, it would be found that the rate of permeation
through the thicker layer would be lower than that through the thinner layer. In
most circumstances the fall off in permeation rate is non-linear with thickness, often
decaying in roughly logarithmic manner. However, as the thickness continues to
increase it has been found that the permeation rate tends to plateau, rather than
continue to fall.
2. Temperature
As the temperature increases, the rate of permeation through PTFE and PFA
increases, in a non-linear fashion. This is driven by several factors, namely, as the
temperature increases (a) the permeant will become more soluable in the polymer,
(b) there is an increase in the amount of swapping of individual atoms between the
polymer chains, and (c) the polymer increases in volume, leading to more space
between the individual polymer chains giving more space for atoms to pass
between them. It should be noted that not all of these mechanisms may occur in
any one particular set of circumstances.
3. Pressure Differential Across the Polymer Layer
As the pressure differential across the polymer layer increases, the rate of
permeation through PTFE and PFA increases in a roughly linear fashion in most
circumstances.
4. Permeant Concentration
As the permeant concentration in a liquid, or partial pressure of a gas increases, the
rate of permeation increases in a linear fashion.
Important Note
For all of the above factors, it should be noted that most research work that has
been carried out into permeation rates has been on polymer layers ranging from a
few tens of microns thick up to a few tenths of a millimetre thick. The results
obtained are, on the whole, extremely variable, and owe much to the method of
fabrication of the test membrane, and the exact test methodology used. Attempts
to translate this thin film data into meaningful data for liners used in piping systems
(with liners typically ranging from 3 10mm thick) have proved to be singularly
unsuccessful.

PTFE Technical Details

Fluoropolymers have many advantages and strengths associated with non-stick, low
friction and chemical resistance to name but a few. However, to make the right
selection of a fluoropolymer that suits a particular application, we include additional
technical information that illustrates the properties of the range of materials, both in
general and comprehensive terms. . In addition, other reference documents can be
found that highlight the benefits of the industrial fluoropolymer range.
Key attributes of PTFE Coatings:
Non-stick:
Few solid substances will permanently stick to a PTFE coated finish, although some
sticky materials may show signs of adhesion, almost all substances release easily.
Low Coefficient of Friction:
The coefficient of friction of PTFE is generally in the range of 0.05 top 0.20, this is
dependent upon the load and dynamic speed.
Non-wetting:
Surfaces coated with PTFE are both oleophobic and hydrophobic , they are not
readily wetted. Clean-up is easier and in some cases surfaces are self-cleaning.
Heat Resistance:
PTFE coatings can operate continuously up to 260C.
Electrical Properties:
PTFE coatings have high dielectric strength, low dissipation factor and very high
surface resistivity.
Cryogenic Stability:
PTFE coatings can withstand severe temperature extremes without loss of physical
properties. PTFE coatings can be used low as -270C.
Chemical Resistance:
PTFE is normally unaffected by chemical environments, with the exceptions of
molten alkali metals and highly reactive fluorinated agents.
Definitions of Resins Fluoropolymer
Fluoropolymers are known for their inertness to most chemicals, resistance to high
temperatures, extremely low coefficients of friction and excellent dielectric
properties which are relatively insensitive to temperature and power frequency.
Typical applications for fluoropolymers are electrical/ electronic uses and pipe and
chemical processing equipment and non-stick coatings for cookware and other
applications. Fluoropolymers make up a family of thermoplastic resins analogous to
polyethylene in which some of the hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon chain are

replaced by fluorine or fluorinated alkyl groups. In some cases, other halogens such
as chlorine are also part of the molecule.
The most common commercial fluoropolymers are:
FEP (fluorinated ethylene-propylene) from tetrafluoroethylene [C2F4] and hexafluoropropylene [C3F6];
PTFE (polytetra fluoroethylene) from the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene and
ethylene [C2H4];
PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) from tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether
[C3H7C4OF5];
PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoro-ethylene)
[C2F3CI];

from

chlorotrifluoro-ethylene

monomer

CTFE-VDF
(polychlorotrifluoroethylenevinylidene
fluoride)
from
chlorotrifluoroethylene
and
vinylidene
fluoride
[C2H2F2];
E-CTFE
(polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene) from chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene;
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) from vinylidene fluoride monomer; and PVF (polyvinyl
fluoride) from vinyl fluoride monomer [C2H3F].