PTFE has become an indispensable part of modern life. What’s fascinating is few people notice how it benefits us in our daily lives.
Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, known as Teflon, has many uses in different industries. This includes everything from machining and fabrication to many medical uses.
PTFE coating has many different applications. All you need is to know which ones are the best for your business.
Want to know where you can use this non-stick material? In this article, we’ll give you 7 different uses for Teflon coatings.
What Is PTFE?
What is a PTFE coating? PTFE coating, or Teflon, is a synthetic thermoplastic that protects different surfaces. The chemical is hydrophobic, which means water cannot pass through it. It doesn’t allow liquid materials to stick to it while reducing the friction coefficient.
In simpler terms, this non-stick coating prevents liquids from staying on its surface. This lets different products slip and slide around it. With its melting point at 662 F, Teflon coatings are great for many home applications.
General Uses of Teflon Coatings
When talking about a non-stick coating spray, many of us are familiar with Teflon as part of non-stick cookware. Any application needing heat insulation and friction resistance can take advantage of Teflon.
Here are a few ways that you can take advantage of this non-stick material.
1. Non-Stick Material in Cookware
Folks in the cookware industry are the most familiar with PTFE coating. One of the most primary uses of Teflon coatings is helping to create non-stick surfaces for pans. If you’re cooking in a modern pot or pan, you’re likely using one with a PTFE coating.
Because cooking uses up to a maximum of 260 C for the highest oven applications, PTFE is safe. You will experience zero or little degradation from its non-stick coating.
2. Non-Stick Material in Heat Sealers
In manufacturing businesses, one of the most crucial processes is packaging. Whether you’re a small online drop shipper or a big manufacturer, heat sealing bars are vital. These products help make sure your merchandise has a solid seal.
With its high heat resistance, having a good non-stick coating on your heat sealers is useful. It prevents your thermoplastic shrink wrap from sticking on the surface. These sealers will instead create a good seal, where it can pass through hot air to shrink.
Having a superior heat sealer with a non-stick coating spray is worth the investment. If you have perishable products, heat-sealed packaging can increase their shelf life. Even if you sell non-perishables, heat sealers with non-stick material can save you money.
3. PTFE Coatings as Cable Insulation
PTFE coating is also great for electrical insulation. It has superior dielectric properties, which means it is resistant to electricity.
Many use it as insulation for silver-coated copper cables because of this trait. PTFE at this point is at a military standard level of use, meaning even the military uses the material.
PTFE cables with a non-stick coating can handle temperatures between -200 C to +250 C short term. You can’t damage it using most heat sources, or with most oils and fuels.
4. Teflon Coating for Aerospace Composites
One of the most remarkable uses of Teflon coatings is in aerospace technologies. PTFE is in wide use in the aerospace industry for carbon fiber and fiberglass composites. When used as a protective film, it can prevent sticky materials from bonding together.
In the aerospace industry, debulking is the process of vacuum removal of air between layers. By using PTFE as a barrier between the carbon or fiberglass and breather fabrics during curing, it prevents bad bonding. With its tear resistance, it can keep the composites more intact during manufacturing.
5. Non-Stick Coating Spray in Small Parts
People are in love with non-stick materials because they are easy to clean. As liquid doesn’t stick to PTFE coatings at all, it has many different applications for machine parts. From shoulder washers to O-rings and spacers, you can use these PTFE coated products for anything.
You can find them in your electronic appliances at home. You can use Teflon coatings in your pipes to prevent any leaking. Simply seal problem areas and spots that need tightening with a non-stick coating spray.
PTFE coatings are one of the most versatile ways to protect products for a reason.
6. PTFE in Printed Circuit Boards
Another great use of PTFE coatings come in the form of printed circuit boards. Many computers and appliances use printed circuit boards (PCB).
PTFE provides solid thermal stability, flame resistance, and dielectric properties. PCB manufacturers seek these as base materials for microwaves, RF, and digital applications.
7. Teflon in Precision Applications
Many industries take advantage of the low friction coefficient of PTFE for precision applications. Many companies use Teflon coatings as precision surfaces in their products. Some even use it for coatings as thin as 10 microns in width.
This precision protection takes the place of low friction coatings for silicone rubber. It can also act as a dry film lubricant for light to moderate applications.
Why You Need PTFE Coating
PTFE coating is one of the most misunderstood but most used materials in the world. Its high heat tolerance, low friction coefficient, and dielectric properties make it a great coating. Whether it’s in daily applications like pots and pans or in the aerospace industry, Teflon coatings work.
Need more industrial tips like this? Want to learn more about how you can apply material engineering in your life?
If so, bookmark this site, and keep up with the latest info!