Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) is a versatile, opaque, polymeric plastic. It is useful in a wide range of industrial fields such as telecoms, pharmaceuticals, and face masks such as the Teflex PTFE washable face mask. Its versatility makes it very advantageous and applicable in many areas. Here are some of the advantages of PTFE:
Its nonstick nature has been exploited in the making of cooking ware such as nonstick pans. Its heat resistance properties also make it suitable for making cooking ware.
Versatile in such a way that it can be molded into different shapes and sizes or fitted with other materials such as glass and stainless steel to increase the wear resistance and strength. It can also be used as a coating to another material.
PTFE is chemical resistant, and this makes it suitable for holding or storing corrosive chemicals in the manufacturing industry, owing to its highly insoluble and unreactive nature.
Cutting the maintenance and repair cost of machines is a priority in many industries, PTFE comes in handy for such purposes. PTFE can be used in coating machines, bearings, and screws to reduce the tear and wear forces and cut the cost of continually replacing worn-out parts. A PTFE coat will act to reduce friction and provide a heat resistance effect. This will also reduce the need for regular maintenance, which is expensive and time-consuming.
PTFE is self-cleaning. It makes cleaning of the coated objects easy since the coat is nonstick, and it does not offer a surface for the accumulation of dirt and waste materials. Therefore, it is advantageous in making complex machines with parts that cannot be easily reached during cleaning.
Environmental conservation and Go-green campaigns are currently on the rise. Any measure or any solution that can help conserve the environment is appreciated. When PTFE is added to the fabric, the resulting material is oil resistant and partially water repellant. This means that the fabric dries quickly, without the need to dry-clean or use too much energy during drying. The fabric will also last longer than other fabrics, which will wear and tear faster. All this contributes to environmental conservation by reducing the exhaustion of resources such as energy and dumping such worn-out fabrics.
PTFE has been proved to be non-toxic even when subjected to high heat and temperature. This is a great advantage, especially in the food industry, since it is food safe. It is used to enhance food packaging materials for more uses, such as microwaving and baking.
PTFE is very durable. It is not affected by weather factors such as rain, heat from the sun, and ultraviolet rays. This means that it is not subject to processes such as oxidation and discoloration. Durability is a critical factor that everybody is considering while buying products.
The non-flammable nature of PTFE makes it an ideal material to be used in most industrial processes. It has a high melting point, and with its ability to withstand high temperatures, it is a go-to choice for most industries.
PTFE has a high electrical resistance. This makes it safe to be used as an insulator since it does not conduct electricity. This feature also makes PTFE the ideal material in making home appliances such as electric kettles, toasters, and heaters as it facilitates the conversion of electrical energy to heat energy.
