Brief Introduction

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a non-stick material frequently used in cookware and protective clothing. There are a host of industrial uses for this versatile material, too. PTFE is widely used in the aerospace, food and drink manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications sectors.

Pure Everflon PTFE is a low friction substance that can withstand huge changes in temperature, making it great for cookware such as non-stick pans. Physically, Everflon PTFE is highly flexible as well as extremely dense; therefore, a PTFE coating on machine parts makes them far more durable. Chemically, it is extremely unreactive and insoluble in most chemicals and is itself non-toxic, conferring further advantages in contexts such as laboratories, medicine (e.g. as a coating for catheters), and food manufacturing. Taken together, these properties make PTFE an extremely useful material for a wide range of applications across practically all industrial sectors.

Because it is highly flexible, PTFE can creep and deform under heavy loads. This potential disadvantage can be obviated by adding a filler in order to benefit from the properties of both materials. Fillers can also add properties such as improved thermal conductivity, for applications that demand good heat dissipation. The most common filler material is glass, but other materials confer specific advantages for certain applications. These alternative additives include carbon, graphite, stainless steel, molybdenum disulfide, bronze, and polyimide.

Properties of Fillers

GRAPHITE FILLED PTFE

Graphite filled PTFE provides some similar benefits to 'normal' carbon filled PTFE but without the greatly improved wear resistance. Graphite lowers the coefficient of friction and Graphite filled PTFE has excellent self lubricating properties. It can be combined with either carbon or glass or even both to reap the combined benefits of all three fillers.

GLASS FILLED PTFE

Graphite filled PTFE provides some similar benefits to 'normal' carbon filled PTFE but without the greatly improved wear resistance. Graphite lowers the coefficient of friction and Graphite filled PTFE has excellent self lubricating properties. It can be combined with either carbon or glass or even both to reap the combined benefits of all three fillers.

CARBON FILLED PTFE

Carbon filled PTFE benefits from improved compressive strength, reduced deformation under heavy loads, and better wear resistance than virgin PTFE. Because carbon is conductive, it is suitable for applications which require higher thermal conductivity than PTFE alone and also becomes static dissipative due to its electrical conductivity. Carbon may be added in the form of powder or fibre. It can be abrasive, but not to the same extent as glass.

STAINLESS STEEL FILLED PTFE

Carbon filled PTFE benefits from improved compressive strength, reduced deformation under heavy loads, and better wear resistance than virgin PTFE. Because carbon is conductive, it is suitable for applications which require higher thermal conductivity than PTFE alone and also becomes static dissipative due to its electrical conductivity. Carbon may be added in the form of powder or fibre. It can be abrasive, but not to the same extent as glass.

BRONZE FILLED PTFE

If your application demands good thermal and electrical conductivity, bronze filled PTFE may be ideal. Adding bronze to PTFE also improves wear resistance. However, bronze attenuates the non-stick properties and chemical inertness of the PTFE, so you should consider whether these are important for your particular situation. Other metals such as titanium, nickel, or stainless steel (as described above) may also be chosen as fillers due to their specific properties.

MOLYBDENUM DISULFIDE (MOS2) FILLED PTFE

Often used together with glass or bronze, Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a PTFE filler results in a more slippery and harder material. MoS2 also improves compression and wear resistance. The resulting material is very useful for dynamic seals.

POLYIMIDE FILLED PTFE

Often used together with glass or bronze, Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a PTFE filler results in a more slippery and harder material. MoS2 also improves compression and wear resistance. The resulting material is very useful for dynamic seals.

Everflon Fluoropolymers Family

Everflon Fluoropolymers PTFE Resin

 

Everflon Fluoropolymer Powders

Everflon Fluoropolymer PVDF Powders

 

 

 

Everflon Fluoropolymer Compounds