PTFE Coated Sheets & Transport Belts

PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene is a plastic that has a variety of different uses. To the average person, PTFE is known by brand names such as Teflon, 3M Dyneon, Fluon, and Polyflon. However, while it may be commonly known for its use as a non-stick coating on pans, PTFE has many more uses.  PTFE can be found in a wide variety of industries, including woodworking, solar panel manufacturing, chemical processing, oil and gas, electrical, construction, medical, and other industries. We work with organizations in many of these industries, providing PTFE solutions to a wide range of needs.

Fun fact: PTFE was discovered in 1938 by accident!! After more testing and experimentation, it becomes commercially available nine years later. Its discovery jump-started research into fluoropolymers and led to the development of a number of these compounds.

The properties of PTFE are what make it such a valuable and flexible material. While there are other materials with some of these properties, few can do everything PTFE can do:

• Low friction coefficient
• Good light and UV resistance
• Good weather resistance
• High chemical resistance
• Good electrical insulation in wet and hot areas
• Good heat/cold resistance
• Great anti-adhesion/anti-stick properties
• Low dissipation factor
• Great flexibility
• Available in high-purity, medical, and food-safe grades
• Low absorption of water

PTFE can be continuously used in environments where the temperature is go up to 260°C. It’s highly stable at temperatures below 440°C and shows no obvious degradation in these environments.

You’ll find PTFE used in a wide variety of industries for many different applications. Any application that requires high heat, high purity, chemical inertness, or self-lubricating properties may need PTFE. Here are a few common uses:

• In the automotive industry, PTFE is often used to create fuel hose linings, valve stem seals, gaskets, O-rings, and shaft seals.
• Engineering uses of PTFE include bearings, pipe coating, plugs, fittings, valves, pump parts, and non-stick applications.
• The medical industry makes use of PTFE in heart patches, ligament replacements, and cardiovascular grafts.
• In the chemical industry, PTFE is used to coat pumps, heat exchangers, impellers, diaphragms, reaction vessels, containers, tanks, and other parts.
• Electrical manufacturers use PTFE for insulation, to create semiconductor parts, and to make circuit boards.

While cookware is a common use of PTFE, many people come into contact with items that use PTFE on a regular basis. These include medical instruments, testing equipment, medical implants, car parts, and many other common items.

Carbon can be added to PTFE to give it anti-static properties. Carbon will also increase hardness of PTFE and to improve its thermal conductivity. When carbon and graphite are added, the wear resistance is improved even more. These fillers are ideal for applications that will not involve any form of lubrication. Graphite also improves the durability of the PTFE and decreases the friction coefficient.

Now that you know a little more about PTFE applications, you may find that it’s the ideal material for your next project. We can provide a wide range of PTFE-coated sheets in various sizes to fit many different project requirements. Contact us at 704-216-4124 to talk to one of our PTFE experts about your needs.