All About Ptfe Tubes And Their Applications

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The discovery of PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene from a niche product resulted from an accident byMr. Plunkett. Since then, PTFE- commonly known as Teflon- has been widely used for its numerous applications. The primary form of this substance is powder, from which various products are molded for different purposes. With PTFE, it is possible to carve out tubes, rods, bushes, mechanical spares, valves, etc., which are often easily available with any PTFE tube supplier

In the last two decades, the commercial use of Teflon has increased drastically, and with that, it has become a significant material in multiple applications and contexts. PTFE tubing is one of the key growth areas of the Teflon industry. They have found their way into various industries in the form of tubes, rods, coating, etc., of various properties. 

The natural properties of PTFE substances, such as their high melting point, heat resistance, etc., have enabled the production of PTFE tubes. These are sturdy molds shaped into thin and thick tubes by compression and injection molding. 

Properties Of PTFE Tubes And Their Types:

Several intrinsic properties of PTFE tubes make it possible to use them for an infinite number of applications, which are discussed further in this article. PTFE is a very versatile product due to its positive properties. 

Heat Resistant:

The operating temperature range of PTFE tubes is from -260 degrees Celsius to +260 degrees Celsius, giving the products enough space to cope with the molding process. It also has a high melting point of almost 327-330 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for its use as an insulator. 

Low Friction And Non-Stickiness:

The dynamic coefficient of friction for Teflon ranges between 0.1-0.4, which makes it a low friction substance. This further enhances the characteristic of non-stickiness, which makes its use easier in the cookware industry. 

Corrosion Resistant:

Because the water absorption level is at 0%, Teflon is highly resistant to corrosion or rust. This property helps PTFE products last longer than usual and makes their use possible in the medical and chemical industries. Teflon is also chemical resistant; thus, in the tube form, it can be used as a coating for various products. 

Other Properties:

It has good electric insulation power in both extreme temperatures and wet environments. Teflon is available in varying purities, from food grade to high-purity grades, making it the material of choice for many industries. It also has a high resistance to UV rays and weathering. 

PTFE tubes are divided into three broad categories based on their thickness and diameter. The categories are:

• Spaghetti tubing has a diameter anywhere between 0.2-8 m. 
• Pressure horse with a diameter ranging between 6-50 m
• Pipe Liner has a diameter between 12-500 meters of range. 

These categories have many variations ranging from multi-lumen, split, and heat to shrinkable, filled, and wide other varieties. 

Applications OF PTFE Tubes:

Medical Market:

By nature, PTFE is used in various medical products. It is a major component when it comes to medical device contract manufacturing. Teflon tubes in spaghetti diameters are used in many medical products, including surgical instruments and disposable surgical kits. It also finds use in cosmetology and reconstructive surgeries, mostly as a vascular graft. It is also used in dilators and catheter liners because of its chemical stability and low coefficient of friction. 

3D Printing:

With constant technological developments, this arena of 3D printing has taken over the world by storm. However, Teflon tubes also find their use in this newly developed, technologically advanced industry. Their versatility makes PTFE tubes an essential part of the 3D printing industry. Because it is highly resistant to heat and has a high melting point, it is a perfect choice for transferring the thermoplastic filaments to the melt zone of the nozzle in the printer. 

Here, Teflon tubes also find their use because the filaments of the object can easily pass through the PTFE tubing due to its smooth surface with non-friction properties. 

Food And Cookware Applications:

Teflon tubes have non-stick properties and can be easily molded into any form. This makes their use easy in the food and cookware industry. The tubes coat various non-stick cookware such as pans, pots, etc. They are also used in food packaging products such as jam jars and ketchup bottle production. 

Other Applications:

1. PTFE rods are used in valves, especially in the valves in pipeline industry. The various properties, such as extremely low permeation, ultra-low absorption, etc., make Teflon tubes use possible in a valving system. 

2. It can be used in electrical wiring fittings in houses. Spaghetti tubes are often used as a covering for copper wirings as they are shock-resistant and heat-resistant. They do not get heated easily. 

3. PTFE tubes are also used in automobile or automotive industries due to their low permeability. They are used in fuel pipelines, fuel evaporation lines, etc. 

Bottomline:

PTFE provides various benefits and a near limitless number of applications across various industrial and chemical arenas. It does not harbor bacterial growth easily and is a viable product easily available.