Teflon is the brand name of the plastic polytetrafluoroethylene and is made with fluoropolymers. The name Teflon is trademarked by DuPont. Teflon coatings are used to make cooking utensils and other industrial applications. Teflon is an ideal material because of its non-stick characteristic. Teflon coatings differ according to the type and combination of fluoropolymers used.
Related Categories
Teflon Coating
Teflon is the brand name of a plastic polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene and is trademarked by DuPont. It is one of the most slippery substances in the world. Teflon is available in six varieties that somewhat vary in composition and properties: Teflon PTFE, Teflon FEP, Teflon PFA, Tefzel ETFE, Teflon One Coat and Teflon Dry Lubricant. Teflon coatings have varying degrees of release, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and permeability that depend on the combination of chemicals present. Teflon coatings can be used on many metal alloys including copper, aluminum, stainless steel, steel and titanium and nearly all ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Characteristics of Teflon coatings include resistance to abrasion, chemicals and corrosion. It is non-sticking and non-wetting. Teflon coating finishes come with a thickness range from five microns to over two thousands microns with a maximum operating temperature of 500°F or 260°C. If Teflon is non-stick, then how does Teflon coating stick to the substrate? In order for Teflon to stick, the substrate must be sandblasted first. A thin layer of Teflon primer is then applied to the substrate and then it is baked on and cooled. Then a coat of Teflon finishing is applied and adheres to the primer well.
While Teflon is stable, non-reactive and non-toxic under normal conditions, it has some disadvantages as well. Teflon's simple and repetitive chemical structure of carbon and fluorine molecules has very weak intermolecular sticking forces. Ammonium perfluorooctanoate, an acid found in Teflon, is under investigation as a carcinogen as a potential hazard to humans. Also, Teflon can emit toxic fumes if heated to 660°F, which cause respiratory difficulties for anyone who inhales them. Teflon coating is just one example of a coating service. The purpose of most coating services is to protect the surfaces of objects and make them more durable. Teflon is known for its non-stick property, other coating services are known for their anti-corrosion, water resistant and molding properties. Coatings can be liquids, solids (like powder) or gases (like plasma) and be applied by spraying, dipping or brushing. Coating services have many uses. Teflon in particular has several. The medical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, plastic molding and packaging equipment are just a few of the industries where Teflon coatings are used. Teflon has a number of different applications: fuel filters, heat exchangers, ball valves, food processing, pumps, fan blades, waffle irons, garden tools, conveyors and printers, just to name a few.
