Thanks to its versatility, Virgin (unfilled) PTFE is an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. However, the properties of PTFE can also be enhanced by adding “fillers” such as graphite, carbon, glass, bronze, and other materials. Generally speaking, these filled PTFE compounds maintain their original chemical and thermal resistance characteristics, while also exhibiting improved strength, stability, and/or durability.
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Pexco’s Enflon® brand of Filled PTFE products offer a wide variety of improvements to material characteristics and properties. Most blends can be customized depending on the application.
Milled glass fibers have the least effect on chemical and electrical properties and add greatly to the mechanical properties of unfilled PTFE. The addition of glass improves compressive properties by as much as 40% and improves wear resistance greatly. These compounds resist acids and oxidation, but can be attacked by alkalis.
Graphite offers improved chemical resistance to corrosive environments and exhibits good initial wear and rubbing/sliding characteristics in dry and water applications. Graphite is commonly blended with carbon and PTFE.
This filler has better wear, creep resistance, and higher thermal conductivity than glass fiber with PTFE. The compound is easily machined, but has poor chemical resistance in the presence of acids and alkali. Useful in applications which undergo high mechanical loads or high-speed rubbing contacts where the bronze filler supplies the strength and conductivity to carry away excess, unwanted heat.
Carbon Fiber lowers creep and increases flex and compressive modulus. It raises hardness properties and exhibits wear characteristics in water applications. It is often the best choice in automotive applications such as shock absorbers and water pumps. It is an excellent material for use in piston rings, bearings and thrust washers. A 15% fill is typically called out in certain AMS specifications, however customer specific fill percentages are available upon request.
This filler is used frequently in combination with others to increase surface hardness, stiffness, and to reduce the starting coefficient of friction and steady-state wear. Its effect on electrical and chemical properties is negligible.
Colors are often added to PTFE for product identification, visibility, and/or branding.
Often, two or more fillers will be combined to provide very specific PTFE characteristics.
The following custom blends are also available:
When searching for high performing materials for bearings, seals, gaskets and other extreme wear and friction applications, Enflo offers excellent alternatives to several Rulon® materials with its Enflon 166, 168, 169 and 175 blends, as well as its alternatives for Gylon® and Durlon® materials.
The following Enflon® blends are alternatives to Rulon®, Gylon® and Durlon® materials:
Maroon in color, this material provides high wear resistance and low friction in a continuous, non-lubricated service. Good dielectric and insulation properties. Excellent choice for bearings, gaskets and high pressure applications requiring robust components. Alternative to Rulon® LR.
Maroon in color, this material has high wear and chemical resistance properties. Designed to run dry without lubrication. Used in seal, piston cup, and bearing applications. Alternative to Rulon® AR.
White in color, this material offers excellent load and wear resistance, good chemical resistance. FDA compliant. Designed to run dry without lubrication. Alternative to Rulon® 641.
Enflon® 311 is designed for use in aggressive chemical applications including nitric acid, caustics and hydrogen peroxide. This blend is excellent for use as a gasket material especially in the pulp and paper industry and in railroad tankcar applications. Alternative to Durlon® 9200W.
Enflon® 312 is a blend combined with inorganic fillers. It provides a dimensionally stable product under compressive load and improves cold flow problems associated with Virgin PTFE. This fill is used in the chemical, pulp and paper, food and beverage and railwood tankcar industries. It is recommended for severe chemical applications. Additionally, it has a higher bolt torque retention compared to other filled PTFEs. Alternative to Durlon® 9000.