Why is Teflon (PTFE) white while fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), a Teflon Co-Polymer, is Transparent?

Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE tubes are more popularly known as non-stick coatings are two-coat systems which include the primer or topcoat systems. These products have the properties which include good abrasion resistance and chemical resistance. Operating temperature of any fluoroplastic (260°C/500°F), which generates an extremely low coefficient of friction. 

What is Teflon FEP?

FEP or fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer non-stick coatings that can flow and melt easily when baked provide nonporous films. 

Here are some of the differences between fluoropolymers, PTFE and FEP.

PTFE

• Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, was one of the first of the synthetic fluoropolymers to be produced. It is certainly one of the most widely used Fluoropolymer.
•  The color of the natural PTFE tubing is opaque to practically transparent. It also has the property of having the lowest surface friction of all materials. This ensures that it has high flow rates and very low chances of congestion
• The PTFE has a superior non-stick surface and is perfect for cookware and bakeware. It makes both cooking and cleaning very easy.
• Non-stick coatings are used widely in guns and ammunition as they reduce the amount of wear on the barrel of the gun when fired.
• PTFE coatings are also known as hydrophobic. This means that liquids run straight off material or surface that has been coated with PTFE. This is largely due to its high electronegativity.

FEP

• The Fluorinated ethylene propylene, or FEP as it is better known as is slightly different to PTFE but it has some non-stick properties of Teflon.
• The properties of FEP differs from PTFE is that it is softer than PTFE and melts at a far lower temperature. This is the very reason that the use of FEP for cookware and bakeware.
• Another great benefit of FEP is that it is completely transparent. So whatever you pour in it and whichever surface it covers the color won’t change and it will remain the same.
•  FEP is also resistant to sunlight, so it is terrific for all weather applications. This is particularly useful for outdoor wiring and equipment that undergoes weathering. FEP is usually used in applications where clarity is the number 1 norm like for example soil analysis and/or sight glasses and so on.

PTFE and FEP are similar in their chief material properties. The main difference between PTFE and FEP lies in the maximum operating temperature and the colour. PTFE looks milky/white and FEP is clear transparent.

Fluorocarbons of different types are colorless so they make transparent liquids, as has been explained. They can make transparent solids also because of the sintering processes in manufacture helps trap bits of polymer that possess different indexes of refraction against each other. The light scatters at the interface like when in any homogenous liquid solidifies. It is the light scattering which makes the solids white.

There are transparent Teflon tubes which can prove that Teflon without the defects can make it scatter light and turn white.

Manufacturers of PTFE Tubing in INDIA

 PTFE tubing is generally used in a number of applications that are found in a wide number of industries like Oil & Gas and Chemical industries and there are some other industries too where fluids are required to be handled carefully, such as highly caustic and acidic fluids which are passed under high temperatures and where contamination is an issue.

The other applications where PTFE hose is used extensively are connectors, spark plugs and spacers.

Read more to find out about the basic properties and beneficial features of PTFE tubes.

•    Chemical Resistance
 PTFE’s defining features is that it is highly chemical resistant, which is what makes PTFE Tube Manufacturers use it for a wide number of manufacturing projects. PTFE is non-reactive or inert to the following chemicals:

1.    Ketones
2.    Food
3.    Alcohols
4.    Esters
5.    Aqua Regia
6.    Biological Fluids
7.    Hydrofluoric Acid
8.    Fragrances
9.    Fuming Sulfuric Acid
10.    Chlorosulfuric Acid
11.    Printing Inks & Dyes
12.    Highly Halogenated Organics
13.    Aromatic Solvents
14.    Boiling Sodium Hydroxide Solution
15.    Chlorine Gas Amines
16.    Low Level Radioactive Substances
17.    Hydrogen Peroxide
18.    Oxidizers
19.    Acid Chlorides
20.    Industrial Oils
21.    Hot, Fuming Nitric Acid


However, there are a few chemicals which do affect the PTFE pipes and tubings and causes it to deteriorate over time. Some of these chemicals are molten alkali metals,  chlorine trifluoride and also their solutions, not to forget gaseous fluorine which reacts with PTFE at extremely high temperatures and/or pressures.

•    Water Resistance
Another defining feature of PTFE is that it is naturally hydrophobic, in other words, it has an aversion to water. So, it doesn’t absorb water like other solid materials. It is therefore used in many areas where water exposure is high.

•    It is resistant to High Heat and Low Temperature
PTFE tubing is greatly used in applications where the temperatures are either extremely high or low and can withstand temperatures which are as high as 260°C (500°F) or as low as -270°C (-454°F).

•    PTFE tubings are Competent Insulators
PTFE materials are great for insulation as well, as it boasts of a surface resistivity level of 3.6 x 1012 ohms. Its electrical properties too cannot be ignored and hence it is used widely in electronics and electrical service.

•    UV Radiation Resistance
In the absence of oxygen, PTFE’s radiation resistance increases manifold and it increases x 10 in the absence of oxygen.  Generally, PTFE’s radiation resistance threshold is of 2 – 7 x 104 rads where 1 rad = 0.01 Gy =0.01 J/kg.  Rads are a deprecated unit of absorbed radiation dose.

•    Low Friction
The coefficients of friction (COH) of friction is extremely low, in fact the lowest among solid materials, with a static COH of .08. The low co-efficient of friction makes PTFE a reliable material which enables the consistent flow of liquids transportation.

 Reliable PTFE Tube Manufacturers

Advanced Fluro Tubes manufacturers are manufacturers of world class PTFE tubes and PTFE hoses in India. They are an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. You can locate their plant on the outskirts of Mumbai, India.

Advanced fluro tubes are much sought after in a number of industry sectors such as Electrical, Chemical Process Industry, Oil and Gas, Instrumentation, Automobile, Power, Pharmaceutical, Steel and so on.

 Aftubes are backed by an experienced management and they consistently focus on consistent quality, customer experience and strive towards continuously improving their products. They make it a point to add new products every year and expand their proficiencies in making more improved versions of PTFE tubes and tubings and trying to provide innovative solutions to industries.

The Properties and Advantages of Teflon Tube

Teflon tube also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE is a versatile pipe. The two distinguishable features of the same are that it is ivory-white and made up of opaque plastic fluoropolymer; The process involves free-radical polymerisation of numerous tetrafluoroethene molecules. It’s is used in most industries as it has a wide range of applications. The industries which use teflon are varied and range from, the food and drink industry to aerospace, from pharmaceuticals to telecoms.

The rods or tubes made of Teflon can be of any size, filled with many materials such as stainless steel, glass, carbon, or many other materials which are characterized by resistance and strength, you can get customized pipes to suit your needs.

The Important Characteristics of PTFE Tubes

So, let us discuss some of the wonderful features of this much sought-after pipes. Is it flexible? Yes! Chemical resistant? Yes! Thermally resistant? Yes again! And what about the non-stick and electrically resistant material? Make that another yes!  No wonder PTFE is used in so many different industries.

 Let’s get a lowdown to some of the important characteristics of PTFE,

• ·         PTFE has a melting point of around 327°C, and so PTFE is completely chemically inert.
• ·         It is highly insoluble in most chemicals.
• ·         Its properties do not change even when it is heated between -200 degrees C and +260 degrees C without showing any degradation.
• ·         PTFE also has high flexural strength, even when it under very low temperatures.
• ·         Another property of PTFE which sets it apart from other tubes are its electrical resistance and also dielectric strength.
• ·         PTFE is also largely resistant to water as it has high electronegativity and its coefficient of friction is also fairly low.
• ·         One of the other unique features of PTFE is its density. At 2200 kg/m3 it is arguably one of the highest.
  
  The only thing to consider while using PTFE is that it breaks down the PTFE molecules under high energy radiation.

Advantages of PTFE Tubings

PTFE has a range of applications, it has got huge benefits in manufacturing and engineering.

·         A PTFE-coated screw is resistant to corrosion as it repels water and oil and it is lubricated in a way that it smoothly drives into whatever surface you are attaching it to, as it ensures longer-lasting and a secure finish.

·         A PTFE coat also has an additional advantage that the coating will also be heat-resistant.

·         PTFE has a competent machinery which helps reduce the need to replace certain parts constantly as it helps reduce waste.PTFE coat also boasts of non-wetting, ensuring self-cleaning of parts.

 Teflon textiles as made by the PTFE tube manufacturers finishes  are environment-friendly as the finish repels water and oil stains and reduces the need for dry cleaning, enabling the fabric to dry up quickly, using much less energy with tumble drying.

PTFE tube is also FDA approved and food-safe, PTFE has a wide range of fine qualities which can be safely used in most industries. That is why it one of the most sought after tubings and pipes and can be used pretty much everywhere.