Introduction
Teflon is a strong, waxy and synthetic material which is obtained by the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. The scientific name of Teflon is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is a raisin-like material and is also non-flammable. Some of the other names for Teflon are Fluon, Polyflon and Hostaflon. Teflon was discovered by an American scientist, Roy Plunkett in 1983. Some of the important properties of Teflon are slippery surface and high melting point.
Is Teflon Self- Lubricating
The answer to this question is yes. The self-lubricating nature of Teflon is due to its impeccable molecular structure. This polymer is a combination of carbon and fluorine atoms which makes it stronger and stabler. The strong bonds of carbon and fluorine leads to reduction in the friction of the surface and allows Teflon coated surfaces to drift over each other and other materials. This results into wear reduction, less generation of heat and minimal use of additional lubricants. Another important aspect of Teflon’s self- lubricating properties is low coefficient friction.
Properties of Teflon Lubrication
Teflon lubricants are used in various industries due their strong properties. Some of these important properties are:
- Ability of Self-cleaning
- Less generation of friction
- High electrical resistance
- Good heat resistance and suitable for various range of temperatures.
- Resistant to corrosion
- Strong durability
- Non-flammable.
Application of Teflon Lubrication’s Properties
The properties of Teflon Lubrication are used in the following forms:
- Bearings and Bushings: The bearings and bushings made of Teflon coat causes less friction and are considered ideal for applications that require high speed and environment where normal lubricants may fail to work.
- Valves and Seals: Valves and seals made up of Teflon coated lubricants operate smoothly and are durable for longer span even when used in high temperatures and strong chemicals.
- Gears and Conveyor Systems: Teflon coated gears and conveyor systems are used in manufacturing and material-handling industries as the posses the properties that helps in reduction of wear, need less maintenance and tend to amplify efficiency of the operations.
Advantages of Teflon Lubrication’s Properties
Some of the advantages of Teflon lubrication are as follows:
- Reduction in Maintenance Cost: Teflon consists of the ability to generate less friction during the operations which leads to minimization of wear and tear among the components. This provides a longer life span to the different parts of the machinery such as bearings, gears and valves. The longer life span of these parts will lower the maintenance cost of the machines.
- Enhancing the Performance Even in Harsh Environments: Teflon has an ability to maintain its lubricating properties in high temperatures from -200°C to 260°C. It can also handle environments consisting of strong and corrosive chemicals. Thus, Teflon is considered an ideal choice for the aerospace, chemical industries and automotive industries where the environment is pretty harsh.
- No need of Additional Lubricants: Teflon consists of such good properties that there is no need for additional lubricants or grease in the application. Other lubricants might degrade over time or require frequent reapplication but Teflon is durable for longer period of time. Teflon has an in-built lubrication that leads to a smoother, cleaner and efficient process even in harsh environments and high temperatures.
- Improvement in Safety and Cleanliness: Coatings made of Teflon do not consist of any external lubrication which makes the workplace safer and cleaner. It reduces the chances of contamination and infections in areas such as the food industry and pharmaceuticals. Also, it avoids certain hazards such as slipping as there are very less chances of leaks and spills during the operations.
Industries that Use Teflon
Teflon’s self-lubricating properties make it a very useful tool in various sectors and industries. Some of the industries that use Teflon are stated below:
- Chemical Industry: In chemical industry, Teflon is mostly used in the manufacturing of chemical processing equipment such as reactors and storage tanks. Teflon is considered an ideal choice for handling corrosive and reactive chemicals due to its property of high resistance to acids, basics and organic solvents. It is also used in the making of beakers, flasks and pipettes.
- Aerospace Industry: In aerospace industry, Teflon is used in the coat bearings, bushings, and other parts that require low friction. It is also used in thermal protection systems, coat wires and cables of the aerospace applications.
- Automotive Industry: In automotive industry, Teflon is used as coatings for various components of the engines to reduce wear and tear. Apart from this Teflon is used in the manufacturing of different parts such as brake pads, fuel lines, hoses, gaskets and seals. Teflon’s unique properties make it an ideal type to be used in the automotive industry.
- Mechanical Industry: In mechanical industry also, Teflon is used for the coating of various parts of the machinery. It is also used in the manufacturing of parts like bearings, gears, seals, gaskets, conveyor belts and other packing materials. Teflon is considered a valuable material in mechanical industry as it can bear high temperatures, high chemicals and extreme conditions.
- Electronic Industry: In electronic industry, Teflon is used to make semi-conductors, dielectric materials for capacitors and printed circuit boards. It is also used in the manufacturing of water carriers and coated in wires and cables.
- Medical Sector: In medical sector, Teflon is used in the manufacturing of medical appliances such as implants, tubes, catheters, antiperspirant patches, etc.
- Food and Beverage Industry: In food and beverage industry, Teflon is mainly used in the making of cooking pans, beverage containers, seals, bottling equipment and to coat the interior of the food.
Some of the other industries that used Teflon are the Oil and Gas industry, cooking utensils and personal care products. In all these industries, Teflon is used due to its self-lubricating properties and unique features.
Take Away
This is the brief explanation about self-lubricating properties of Teflon. Its application, advantages and uses in different sectors. We hope this information will be effective for you. Please let us know through your valuable feedback and the suggestion in the drop box.