#ptfetubes

PTFE is now one of the most popular kinds of industrial coating in the world, mainly because it has innumerable applications. Get a quick lowdown on PTFE, its applications, history, and the development of PTFE.

History of PTFE Hose and PTFE Pipes

Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, was first created by Dr. Roy Plunkett.

Like all great discoveries, Dr. Plunkett bumped into it when he was experimenting with some other testing materials which were refrigerants or so he thought.

Interestingly, all he was doing was examining frozen and compressed tetrafluoroethylene when he came across this versatile material. He was surprised to see the polymerized material turning into a wax-like solid material. The new material was called “Polytetrafluoroethylene.”

While he was making this discovery, Dr. Plunkett was working for DuPont and immediately after they turned this material into blocks.

The blocks were coerced into varied shapes. Manufacturers all over the world today rely on this product and use it for producing different kinds of products.

Common Applications of PTFE

PTFE has loads of uses. The common applications of PTFE can be used in a number of industries and they are following,

Pharmaceuticals –

PTFE coatings are an integral part of pharmaceutical industries because they provide over braid seals and strength which helps in a self-cleaning process.  If the pharmaceutical industry has elevated standards for all materials used within it, PTFE, caters admirably to all the set standards.

Cryogenic –

The cryogenic industry has great use for PTFE too, mainly because it can withstand extremely high temperatures and low temperatures too. The material is perfectly suited for usage in fuel lines,  piston rings, hydraulic hoses, or liquid air systems.   

Automotive –

In the automotive industry the air brake systems need over-braided hoses and for that PTFE caters to these requirements too.

When the material is used on the outside edge of air compressors PTFE can fill in, as it has the power to resist high temperatures.

Also, since PTFE can do away by removing carbon particles, it becomes an integral part of all types of automotive applications.   ·

Aerospace industry –

PTFE is part of the aerospace industry as it is part of different components such as fuel hoses, tubing hoses, and hydraulic hoses.

PTFE is often braided with Kevlar for extra protection.

Also, PTFE is used for applications that need the tempering of heat in components such as oil, fuel, water, and alcohol. In the aerospace industries, it is the pneumatic and hydraulic systems, that use PTFE.

Chemical industry –

In the chemical industry, there is the usage of some highly reactive chemicals that react with most materials, for transfer of such chemicals you’ll find that PTFE is used for things like product interchange. Refrigeration systems and steam lines also contain PTFE. It is a great substitute for materials such as corrugated, stainless steel hoses and so on.

Polytetrafluoroethylene or more commonly known as PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer made up of of tetrafluoroethylene.  

It is hydrophobic, high density, non-wetting, and is of high temperatures, PTFE tube is what you can call a versatile material as it is used for a number of applications, though it is more popular for its non-stick properties.

 The Chief Properties of PTFE

The teflon hose is a flexible, thermal resistant, chemical resistant, non-stick and also electrically resistant material with its melting point being around 327°C, and pure PTFE has high flexural strength, even in very low temperatures, high dielectric strength, and electrical strength. Potentially high resistance to water and fairly low coefficient of friction. PTFE’s density ranges from the 2200 kg/m3 mark. The only con is that it may have a reaction to chemical agents and solvents such as chlorine trifluoride, xenon difluoride, cobalt (III) fluoride, or elementary fluorine if put through under high pressure and temperature conditions. PTFE also does not have a good resistance to high energy radiation, which forces the breakdown of PTFE molecules.  

A Few Modified Features of PTFE

Apart from PTFE there are other two copolymers which has different properties. PFA or Perfluoroalkoxy is similar to PTFE because of its properties as it is flexible, very chemically resistant also thermally stable and can be used up to 260 degrees C even if PTFE has the properties of being able to creep, PFA is creep resistant and is used for a number of properties such as extrusion, melt-processing, injection moulding, transfer moulding, compression moulding and blow moulding. TFM, better known as PTFE-TFM, is polytetrafluoroethylene with perfluoropropylvinylether taken as an additional modifier, boasting of a material which is stiff being creep-resistant like PFA, and weldable.

 Advantages of PTFE

There is no doubt about the fact that PTFE is indeed very versatile and has a huge number of applications to speak of.   It is an integral part of manufacturing and engineering industries, it is not limited to using in tubes or liners or for handling or storing corrosive chemicals, but it is also used in parts such as bearings or screws to increase the lifespan of the parts and also the machinery it is part of.

The longer lasting, higher-performance parts ensure that it enhances the efficiency of any machine it is part of, thus reducing the requirement of constantly replacing parts, which leads to saving money and reducing waste. Hence it will cut down on constant maintenance issues with the equipment which will lead to the reduction of any expensive manufacturing downtime due to the repairs and faults.

PTFE coat is a type of material that is non-wetting, and enables self-cleaning which helps reduce the cost of frequent cleaning.