What is a PTFE Coating?

When looking for a high-performance coating that offers exceptional temperature, chemical, friction, and abrasion resistance—as well as lubrication—our fluoropolymer and dry film lubricant coatings are often the perfect solution.

A fluoropolymer coating application is a generic term for Xylan or PTFE coatings. It’s important to note that Teflon®, another PTFE coating, is a brand name despite being commonly used as a generic phrase.

Fluoropolymer coatings can be applied as a liquid spray or as a powder coating. Dry film lubricant coatings typically consist of graphite, Molybdenum disulfide, inorganic aluminum silicate, and ceramic-metallic compounds. These are usually applied as liquids and can be sprayed or brushed.

Have a coating project in the works? Precision Coating Technology & Manufacturing (PCTM) is here to help you determine the best industrial coatings for your needs.

Advantages of PTFE Coatings

Whether you’re using PTFE coatings for kitchen materials or machined surfaces, there are a wide variety of advantages. Here are just a few examples:

• Handles Extreme Temperatures: Hot or cold, PTFE holds up well to a wide range of temperatures that make it burn and freeze resistant.
• Resistant to Corrosives: Do you use harsh chemicals in your machine applications? Not a problem when you use PTFE coatings as protection!
• Non-Stick: Your machines and other surfaces stay clean since liquids and oils slide right off of this coating material.
• Low-Friction: Depending on the type of Xylan coating you choose, you’ll gain varying degrees of smoothness that keep friction to a minimum between parts.
• Electrical Resistance: Because of how insulating PTFE is, it can be great in electrical applications that need anti-static or other electrical resistance properties.

Applications for PTFE Coatings

PTFE is an extremely versatile material. Here at PCTM, we’ve applied these coatings to an extensive range of surfaces. Here are a few examples of applications we often work closely with:

Medical Applications

PTFE coatings are perfect in medical applications since they are resistant to most fluids. Fluids will easily clean off of the material. Plus, PTFE is FDA-approved for use on items that come in contact with the human body. As a result, PTFE is an ideal coating for medical instruments used to perform various diagnostic tests or surgeries.

High Tech Tools

PTFE coatings are commonly used on tools that require chemical, electrical, and extreme temperature resistance. The coating is applied in a thin, paint-like layer, and it works on a wide range of tool sizes. Fluoropolymer coating is corrosion-resistant, making it a good option for any tools that need to hold up to weather exposure.

Non-Stick Cookware

Non-stick coatings that have high heat resistance are crucial in the cookware industry. This industry has long used PTFE coatings on pans and bakeware, enabling food to slide off easily and resist high temperatures. PTFE is so commonly used in cooking that most people know it by the brand name of Teflon.

Food Processing Plants

Since fluoropolymer coating is an FDA food-grade compliant coating, it is advantageous in food processing plants to coat food chutes, tubing, and other parts. Its resistance to weathering and corrosion makes PTFE a perfect material that won’t affect the quality of food.

Fasteners and Machined Surfaces

Dry film lubricant coatings are well adapted for use in applications that have tight tolerances and require corrosion protection and/or lubrication. This typically includes fasteners and machined surfaces that are fixed together. PTFE coatings have been tailored to suit very demanding end-use applications, including aircraft, automotive, oil wells, and high pressure/temperature hydraulics.