There is usually some confusion about the variance in between the most frequent grades of PTFE, typically identified as Teflon: Virgin Grade, and Mechanical, or Reprocessed Quality. This info will assistance you fully grasp these two styles and their distinct programs, and thus preserve you time investigating the information.
Substance and purposes
PTFE ( polytetrafluoroethylene ) is a type of plastic most usually known as the model title Teflon®. PTFE resins have a continuous temperature score of 260°C (500°F). Mechanical attributes get started to degrade previously mentioned this point.
Each Virgin and Mechanical grades are 100% PTFE substance and have very similar chemical homes. These are each unfilled styles of PTFE. Other types are obtainable with fillers this sort of as carbon, bronze, or glass to make improvements to performace for selected programs.
Mechanical PTFE is an economical, reprocessed PTFE with marginally decreased bodily attributes than virgin quality. It is also referred to as “recycled” or “reclaimed”. Reprocessed material is extra all through the manufacturing approach typically a tiny share but it varies. It is much more inexpensive than virgin. This is the grade used for most apps, for a lot less demanding works by using where by substantial purity resources are not needed, these as noncritical chemical, electrical, and mechanical programs. It has greater have on resistance and compressive power than virgin grade. Not suited for meals make contact with.
Virgin PTFE is a greater grade, pure materials, and is much more expensive. It is created with no recycled substance extra. It is chemically inert up to 500ºF, the best chemically resistant material available. Virgin has greater bodily homes and retains adaptability in small temperatures. It is a excellent electrical insulator, with high dielectric homes. It is Fda authorised and is used in the pharmaceutical, foodstuff and beverage, and cosmetics industries. It is generally used for health-related or electrical programs. Virgin has far better friction characteristics, which may be critical in some purposes.
How do you know if you have Virgin or Mechanical PTFE?
Distinguishing amongst the two grades by sight is certainly not uncomplicated! To the bare eye, the two grades may perhaps look identical.
Virgin quality is typically a purer white when compared facet-by-aspect, and should come to feel more sleek and slippery.
More info
PTFE is frequently named Teflon®, which is truly a DuPont trademark identify for its model of PTFE resin. Unique manufacturer names are utilized by other companies, these kinds of as Fluon ® or Dyneon ®.
If you would like to refer to the ASTM regular, see ASTM D1710 Regular Specification for Extruded Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Rod, Large Walled Tubing and Simple Designs.
