What is Fluoropolymer Coating?

What is a fluoropolymer coating? You may not have heard of a fluoropolymer, but you are probably exposed to examples of it every day.

A fluoropolymer is a polymer that is based in fluorocarbon and has strong carbon-fluoride bonds. But that doesn’t explain much if you don’t know what a polymer is. A polymer is a chemical compound that is made of many molecules that have low mass. A polymer is a huge class of compounds; it includes both synthetics, like plastic, and also naturally occurring polymers like wool, silk, and rubber. A fluoropolymer is a more specific type of a polymer that has special properties.

So, more simply put, a fluoropolymer is a chemical compound that contains many strong carbon-fluoride bonds. The fluorine in a fluoropolymer is electrically negative, which gives it the property of not bonding easily with other materials. That’s what makes a fluoropolymer non-stick. A fluoropolymer is an umbrella term, and it includes many other products with trade names that you may have heard of, including Teflon™ , Excalibur, Algoflon, Xylan, Solef, and Fluon. The first fluoropolymers was developed in the 1930s, but hundreds of variations now exist.

Fluoropolymers are in high demand for use in industrial coatings because they possess some very desirable qualities. First, fluoropolymers have excellent non-stick properties, as evidenced by their use in non-stick cookware. Also, fluoropolymers reduce friction and resist corrosion. They withstand very high temperatures, as well. Fluoropolymers are insulators, meaning they do not conduct electricity. They do not absorb water, either. This combination of factors makes them ideal for use in electronics, automotives, and many other uses.

Fluoropolymer coatings protect the products that they are applied to which makes the product last longer and function better through its lifespan. For example:

• Fluoropolymer coatings are applied to the wiring insulation in airplanes. This application protects the wiring and reduces the risk of fire on aircrafts. The next time you are flying across the country, you can rest easy knowing that your plane is protected from fire thanks to fluoropolymer coatings.
• Fluoropolymers are used in many industrial settings. Printing and packaging factories use fluoropolymers to coat their ink trays, rolls, and frames. The coating helps moving parts to not stick to items that pass through, and it also makes them easier to clean.
• Fluoropolymer coatings are also widely used in the food industry. The application of fluoropolymer coatings to molds and trays aids in the production of bread, candy, cheese, and other products by preventing sticking and making the molds and trays easy to clean.
• A big demand for fluoropolymer coatings comes from the automotive industry. Fluoropolymer coatings help to prevent friction and corrosion on car parts. They are particularly useful in components like ball bearings and gears, which must withstand a lot of wear and tear. This application extends the lifespan of your car’s parts.

The demand for fluoropolymers is huge; in 2011, it hit $7.25 billion. New uses and applications for fluoropolymers are being developed constantly, and as a result, the demand continues to grow.

Toefco Engineered Coating Systems provides many types of fluropolymer coatings. In fact, you can tell Toefco what properties you are looking for in your coating, and they will custom make a formula to meet your needs. Toefco is the ideal choice for your industrial coating needs, because they can give you exactly what you want in order to make your product the best on the market.

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