PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) Coatings are another name for Fluoropolymer, Xylan™, or Teflon™ coatings. PTFE and fluoropolymer coatings are often used in corrosion management because of the tough qualities due to the strong carbon-fluorine bonds.

For this exact reason, PTFE and fluoropolymer coatings are incredibly popular across multiple industries.

What Are PTFE Coatings?

Also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. This material is quite versatile as it is hydrophobic, resistant to high temperatures, and has a high density. The large application potential and availability makes it a common fluoropolymer for protective coatings.

PTFE is used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, and medicine because it is safe in cryogenic temperatures and the insulation it can provide.

Fluoropolymer coatings combine fluoropolymer materials with several industrial resins, like PTFE. The result is coatings that are chemically resistant, anti-galling, and have heat stabilising properties. Fluoropolymer coatings also provide great protection against corrosion and are well known for their non-stick properties.

When it is applied to components and equipment parts, the high-molecular-weight compound creates a hard coating finish that can be used in more than one way.

Applications of PTFE / Fluoropolymers

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Commonly applied to industrial equipment like carbon steel, stainless steel, and brass, PTFE coatings can also be applied to non-metallic components. Including rubber, plastic, and glass.

These are some common uses of PTFE coatings:

  • Applied to ball bearings, gears, any small machine parts to help reduce friction and abrasion which helps to prevent against wear and tear.
  • Used as a protective lining in hose assemblies and pipe lines. PTFE coated materials have been known to deteriorate at a much slower rate than traditional metal pipes. Their non-reactivity and high temperature resistance is also a key factor here.
  • Filters that are used as dust collectors in high temperature and high particulate loads like cement production and power plants are generally coated with a PTFE coating.

Fluoropolymers

This is the base ingredient of many well-known trademarked brands: Teflon™, Xylan™, Fluon™.

The end product of the mixture of high-performing resins is a hard coating that has plenty of known benefits:

  • Non-stick Properties
  • Friction Reduction
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Resistance to High Temperatures
  • Insulating Capabilities
  • Abrasion Resistant

One of the most appealing features of fluoropolymers is that they can treat or coat many types of metals, including aluminium, steel, brass, copper, and some metal alloys.

Difference Between Fluoropolymers and Teflon™

So, what actually is the difference between the two? Is fluoropolymer the same as Teflon™?

Basically, yes. They are the same thing. Teflon™ is one of the brand names for PTFE and is a trademark brand name. The main difference is that one is more expensive than the other because of the trademark brand name.

In fact, because of the trademark brand name, you need to apply for a license if you want to use Teflon™.

Why Corrosion Protection Is Important

Without proper coatings, corrosion has incredibly damaging effects on multiple machine parts, including valves, pumps, fasteners, switches, belts, and other mechanical equipment.

Having the coating can save plenty of time and result in minimum work disturbance. If your equipment did falter or have an issue due to corrosion, repairing the part usually takes a bit of time and this delays production because operations need to be put on hold. This ends up resulting in profit losses, too.

Applying corrosion resistant coatings doesn’t just help you to extend the component life and protect it against sustaining damage but it is also beneficial for industries and companies alike.

It saves massively on maintenance costs as it requires much less caring for and provides great protection to the components it’s been applied to.

Alphatek’s Fluoropolymer Coatings for Metal

Alphatek has a proprietary range of HYPERSLIP Fluoropolymer Coatings which offer multiple benefits and properties for your application:

  • Low friction
  • Non-stick and release
  • Chemical isolation and inertness
  • Protection against corrosion
  • Electrical and dielectric insulation

All properties are combined into one Fluoropolymer coating system to provide a higher level of flexibility.

Our Industrial Application Teflon Spray Coatings

Our Fluoropolymer and Fluoroplastic coatings, typically referred to as Teflon™ or Xylan™, have a variety of beneficial characteristics.

With their adaptability, they can provide significant value to a wide range of industrial applications and can also enable designs that are cutting-edge. These coatings particularly are a design engineer’s dream because of that offered flexibility.

Characteristics of fluoropolymer industrial coatings contribute to the same thing: increasing profitability by enhancing performance, lifespan, and efficiency.

Get in touch with the team here at Alphatek and we’ll help you to find the right thermal spray coating solution for your application.