Engineering Plastic PTFE Teflon
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is another engineering plastic using in machine parts. PTFE is a non-stick substance. The trade name of the DuPont company for PTFE is Teflon. PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware. It has exceptional resistance to high temperatures, chemical reaction, corrosion, and stress-cracking. Working temperature of PTFE is between -200oC and 260oC. Since it has very low friction (PTFE's coefficient of friction is 0.05 to 0.10) and good resistance to chemical reaction, it's normally used in bearings, pipes or containers of chemical substances. It's also used for sealing purpose at high temperature environment. The tapes for thread sealing in pipes are also made from PTFE. Though it can work well until 260oC, but its strength is not always high since it may expand and deform at high temperature. PTFE is easy to machine, low cost and long lasting. PTFE parts are often used in mechanisms that rotate or slide. It doesn't require surface finish and continue to look good and work well.
Example of PTFE parts: Bearings, Sleeves, Bushings, Gears, Cams, Tubing, Electrical insulators, Electrical connectors, Seals, Slide plates, etc.
Further reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene
Example of PTFE parts: Bearings, Sleeves, Bushings, Gears, Cams, Tubing, Electrical insulators, Electrical connectors, Seals, Slide plates, etc.
Further reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene
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