How PTFE Low Friction Coatings Prevent Wear

There are numerous types of industrial coatings on the market, although one of the most popular is PTFE, which is commonly sold under the brand name Teflon™. The main reason PTFE is so popular is because it has an extremely low coefficient of friction. There are many coatings that contain not only PTFE, but other materials as well. Only an expert can help you determine the right combination of materials. In many cases, one of the most important things that must be taken into consideration is the amount of friction that will be involved. Here are some important points that should be understood about friction and how it plays into the selection of a PTFE coating:

• PTFE has a relatively low modulus value, which means that the asperities on the surface of this type of coating will deform measurable under heavy loads. It also means that if you do use a PTFE coating, then higher loads could potentially produce lower amounts of friction.
• It’s also important to realize that the coefficient of friction for any PTFE coating will go up as the temperature goes up. Usually this is caused by the type of binder that’s in the coating, so you must have an accurate idea of your temperature requirements when ordering a PTFE coating. Even with a non-stick coating like PTFE, drag can go up at a significant rate at the higher limits of melting point, glass transition temperature, or continuous use.
• We measure sliding wear according to the amount of material that was lost over time. This is determined by two components: abrasive wear and adhesive wear. Adhesive wear is always the better choice between these two.
• Figuring out the type of wear you are dealing with is important when thinking about friction inside a piece of equipment. In order to distinguish between adhesive and abrasive wear, look closely at the coating that’s currently on the equipment. If you’re seeing adhesive wear, then there will be some fine powders showing on the place where the metal face and the fluoropolymer coating meet. This shows you that the surfaces are wearing exactly the way that they should. On the other hand, if you see deep gouges or grooves in the coating, then there’s a problem with the type of coating you have selected. Abrasive wear can sometimes happen rapidly, even immediately in some cases.

Always consult with a coating expert before it’s time to replace the coating and especially if you see signs of abrasive wear in your coating. Don’t put off replacing a faulty coating because you could discover that your equipment goes down suddenly without very much warning. An expert will help you correct the problem by choosing the right type of coating or help you make sure that you get exactly the same type of coating if it has been wearing properly. Remember that no two PTFE coatings are exactly the same, even though they may provide similar characteristics.

Licensed Industrial Applicator for Teflon™ Coatings

Toefco is a licensed industrial applicator for Teflon™ coatings. They’ve been applying Teflon™ coatings for several decades. At Toefco, they have a passion for finding creative solutions to coating problems using only the highest level of technology available. They are excited about finding a challenge and enjoy seeing their customer succeed at even the most difficult coating problems. Toefco has been in the business for more than 50 years, so you can rest assured that they can create the perfect coating for your needs.

To learn more about PTFE industrial coating, call us at 888-912-5921 or ask an industrial coating engineer.