Manufacturing Process & Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Manufacturing Process of Polytetrafluoroethylene Material:
1
Raw Material Preparation; Ingredients: For pure F4 products, the raw material is F4 fine resin, which is crushed and sieved.
2
Mold Preparation: Clean with alcohol to ensure there is no rust or attachments inside the compression mold.
3
Weighing: Calculate the weight according to the formula
G = PV
(where G is the amount of material, P is the density of the preform (2.18 g/cm³), and V is the volume of the product).
4
Loading: Evenly distribute the F4 resin across the entire pressing surface.
5
Pre-forming (Pressing): Calculate the pressure gauge setting according to the formula, set the press gauge pressure, and proceed with pressing.
6
Demolding and Trimming: Remove the semi-finished product from the mold, trim its surface to ensure it is smooth and edges are neat, and prepare it for shaping.
7
Sintering: Gradually place the semi-finished product into the sintering furnace with a suitable quantity. Raise the temperature to about 390°C over approximately one hour, maintain this temperature for another hour, then begin cooling. After about four hours, when room temperature is reached, remove the finished product from the furnace to complete the shaping.
About PTFE Sheets: Polytetrafluoroethylene sheets (also known as Teflon sheets or PTFE sheets) come in two types: molded and skived.
- Molded sheets are formed from PTFE resin using the compression molding method at room temperature, followed by sintering and cooling.
- Skived PTFE sheets are produced by compacting, sintering, and then skiving PTFE resin.
Key Properties of PTFE Sheets and Rods:
- Extremely wide operating temperature range (from -200°C to +260°C).
- Resistant to almost all chemicals except for some fluorides and alkaline metal liquids.
- Excellent mechanical properties, including aging resistance, particularly for applications involving bending and oscillation.
- Outstanding flame retardancy (meets ASTM-D635 and D470 test procedures and is classified as a flame-retardant material in air).
- Superior insulation characteristics (regardless of frequency and temperature).
- Extremely low water absorption, along with self-lubricating and non-stick properties, among other unique characteristics.
Application Areas of PTFE Sheets:
PTFE sheets can be used in various industries including:
Sealing / Gaskets
Ring Materials
Wear-Resistant Plates / Seats
Electrical Insulation Parts
Anti-Corrosion Industry
Mechanical Components
Linings
Oil & Gas
Petrochemical Industry
Chemical Industry
Instrument & Equipment Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical Industry
Textile Industry (Anti-stick)
General Applications Summary: PTFE sheets are primarily used as electrical insulation materials and linings for contact with corrosive media, support sliders, rail seals, and lubricating materials. They are widely applied in chemical, pharmaceutical, and dye industries for containers, storage tanks, reaction vessels, and large pipeline linings for corrosion resistance. They are also used in mechanical, construction, and transportation bridge sliders and guides.