How to Cut Teflon® Washers
Teflon is a registered trade name of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is a very useful engineering material. It is one of the most common types of fluoropolymers. They are formed through a chemical reaction that results in a group of repeating large molecules. This implies that, PTFE is formed as a result of polymerization reaction of tetrafluoroethylene.
This engineering material was discovered by Roy Plunkett in 1938 who was working for E.I. Du Pont. When Plunkett discovered Teflon, he was in the process of finding another form of refrigerant 114 for the Du Pont and General Motors. His reagents polymerized accidentally resulting in a flaky and white powder.
Plunkett stored tetrafluoroethylene gas for his new project and left it overnight only to find out that Teflon had been formed. This marked the introduction of a new material with a very unique property in the engineering world. There are very many manufacturing companies which make PTFE material. However, the brand name Teflon® is known for the PTFE which is manufactured by the DuPont. Since then, this material has become popular in the manufacture of a number of products in the engineering field with Teflon washers being some of the most common items.
This engineering material was discovered by Roy Plunkett in 1938 who was working for E.I. Du Pont. When Plunkett discovered Teflon, he was in the process of finding another form of refrigerant 114 for the Du Pont and General Motors. His reagents polymerized accidentally resulting in a flaky and white powder.
Plunkett stored tetrafluoroethylene gas for his new project and left it overnight only to find out that Teflon had been formed. This marked the introduction of a new material with a very unique property in the engineering world. There are very many manufacturing companies which make PTFE material. However, the brand name Teflon® is known for the PTFE which is manufactured by the DuPont. Since then, this material has become popular in the manufacture of a number of products in the engineering field with Teflon washers being some of the most common items.
The Teflon washer uses mainly depend on the intrinsic properties of PTFE and those that have been enhanced through other chemical reactions. The main properties of Teflon, which determine its key areas of application include:
High melting point and enhanced mechanical strength - almost all engineering applications require washers which can withstand the high magnitude of stress and tension. Even though its mechanical properties are lower than a number of plastic materials, it can retain its intrinsic properties over a wide range of temperature (between -73°C and 204°C). These unique properties are due to its unique molecular structure which has both carbon-carbon and carbon-fluorine bonds which form some of the strongest bonds. It is due to these strong bonds that a higher amount of thermal energy is required to breakdown Teflon.
To enhance the mechanical properties of Teflon, certain fillers such as bronze, molybdenum, carbon, disulphide and graphic can be used. The Teflon washers which have been reinforced with fillers still maintain their intrinsic properties. Washers form an important component in any assembly process since they help to distribute the force exerted by bolts and nuts on a particular surface. It should be able to resist the force due to compression while withstanding heat, which is associated with the process.
Low coefficient of friction; Teflon has lower interfacial forces between other materials and its surface. This makes it retain its shape over a long period of time. This implies that, other substances can easily slide on any surface which has been coated with PTFE. Normally, when sliding begins, the Teflon surface fractures and small lumps are transferred to the surface which it should slide against the Teflon washer. The lumps are spread as the sliding continues while the surface of the Teflon also drags out to form an organized layer. This implies that the resulting surface which will be sliding against each other will possess well organized Teflon molecules.
It is for this reason why Teflon washers are commonly used to assemble sections of moving parts in machines. This eliminates lubrication costs and deterioration of various machine components as a result of friction. They are used to assemble levers, winches, pulleys, break sections, etc.
Highly inert; Teflon washers has gained popularity in a number of industrial setups such as food, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and chemical processing industries. Teflon is used to manufacture vessel linings, seals, gaskets, etc. They are chemically inert and corrosion resistant. The washers can remain unaffected by almost all acids which are commonly used in most industries and laboratories.
These washers are used to assemble a number of components in food processing industries since they are cannot contaminate food being processed. They can withstand high temperature when the washers are used in conveying systems in these industries. These materials are also used in both tubing and piping systems in laboratories. There are no contaminants which can adhere to its surface. Teflon is a nonpolar material.
Good electrical and thermal properties; all industries are associated with a certain degree of thermal or electric energy transfer. The Teflon washers have an electrical resistance of up to 1018. This makes Teflon washers to be some of the best insulators. It is for this reason that they are used in the installation of electrical panels and the assembly of thermal equipment. A thin washer can insulate about 500 volts per mil. The washers are used to separate different surfaces such as the conductive surfaces in a capacitor. The washers can be used in high voltage devices.
The process of determining the Teflon washer uses should be based on the basic properties of this polymer which have been listed above.
High melting point and enhanced mechanical strength - almost all engineering applications require washers which can withstand the high magnitude of stress and tension. Even though its mechanical properties are lower than a number of plastic materials, it can retain its intrinsic properties over a wide range of temperature (between -73°C and 204°C). These unique properties are due to its unique molecular structure which has both carbon-carbon and carbon-fluorine bonds which form some of the strongest bonds. It is due to these strong bonds that a higher amount of thermal energy is required to breakdown Teflon.
To enhance the mechanical properties of Teflon, certain fillers such as bronze, molybdenum, carbon, disulphide and graphic can be used. The Teflon washers which have been reinforced with fillers still maintain their intrinsic properties. Washers form an important component in any assembly process since they help to distribute the force exerted by bolts and nuts on a particular surface. It should be able to resist the force due to compression while withstanding heat, which is associated with the process.
Low coefficient of friction; Teflon has lower interfacial forces between other materials and its surface. This makes it retain its shape over a long period of time. This implies that, other substances can easily slide on any surface which has been coated with PTFE. Normally, when sliding begins, the Teflon surface fractures and small lumps are transferred to the surface which it should slide against the Teflon washer. The lumps are spread as the sliding continues while the surface of the Teflon also drags out to form an organized layer. This implies that the resulting surface which will be sliding against each other will possess well organized Teflon molecules.
It is for this reason why Teflon washers are commonly used to assemble sections of moving parts in machines. This eliminates lubrication costs and deterioration of various machine components as a result of friction. They are used to assemble levers, winches, pulleys, break sections, etc.
Highly inert; Teflon washers has gained popularity in a number of industrial setups such as food, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and chemical processing industries. Teflon is used to manufacture vessel linings, seals, gaskets, etc. They are chemically inert and corrosion resistant. The washers can remain unaffected by almost all acids which are commonly used in most industries and laboratories.
These washers are used to assemble a number of components in food processing industries since they are cannot contaminate food being processed. They can withstand high temperature when the washers are used in conveying systems in these industries. These materials are also used in both tubing and piping systems in laboratories. There are no contaminants which can adhere to its surface. Teflon is a nonpolar material.
Good electrical and thermal properties; all industries are associated with a certain degree of thermal or electric energy transfer. The Teflon washers have an electrical resistance of up to 1018. This makes Teflon washers to be some of the best insulators. It is for this reason that they are used in the installation of electrical panels and the assembly of thermal equipment. A thin washer can insulate about 500 volts per mil. The washers are used to separate different surfaces such as the conductive surfaces in a capacitor. The washers can be used in high voltage devices.
The process of determining the Teflon washer uses should be based on the basic properties of this polymer which have been listed above.