In April 1938 during tests with the refrigerant Freon® Dr. Roy J. Plunkett from the Du Pont laboratory in Jackson, New Jersey, discovered a white wax-type polymer which,
after further detailed testing at a later undisclosed date, exhibited extraordinary material properties.
The material did not exhibit any change whatsoever when subjected to practically all known chemicals and its surface was so smooth that hardly any foreign substances remained.
Moisture and solar radiation (sunshine) caused neither volumetric change nor disintegration and brittleness.
The crystalline change associated with the melting point of the material starts at 327°C without there being any typical thermoplastic liquefaction.
The possibility of compounding, i.e. matching physical properties to specific applications through the addition of fillers,
is an important factor for the use of PTFE in the manufacture of seals and guide elements.
In spite of its remarkable properties, pure unmixed PTFE has limited use for applications where high mechanical loading is required due to its tendency towards cold extrusion (creep).
- improvement in the flow strength;
- reduction of friction and wear;
- increase in strength;
- increase in thermal shape stability;
- increase in hardness.
Our compound development and design of profile geometries are based on long-term experience and field testing so that users can benefit from an optimum degree of professional competence. For details on the unique compound properties of PTFE in general and the specific compounds developed by NewDealSeals, please contact one of our material experts or click for more information on the specific compounds below.
NewDealSeals standard PTFE compounds:
Recognized as the first fluorocarbon material in the world and referred to as PTFE or TFE, it is the most chemically resistant plastic known.
It has a wide working temperature range, excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties and a low coefficient of friction.
With a non-stick surface, very few materials will adhere to it and those that stick can easily be peeled or rubbed off.
PTFE Virgin mechanical properties are lower than other engineering plastics, but that can be improved by adding fillers.
Colour: White
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- very low coefficient of friction;
- high chemical resistance.
- chemical industry;
- food industry.
The glass fibres improve creep strength over a wide temperature range and increase the chemical stability (with exception of strong alkaline solutions and hydrofluoric acid).
The molybdenum sulphide (MoS2) improves the hardness and rigidity and reduces the friction. This can only be used in small proportions and in conjunction with other fillers.
Colour: Dark grey to Blue
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- high chemical resistance;
- high creep resistance;
- electrical properties like virgin PTFE.
- bearings with high wear resistance, which must work in contact with surfaces having high hardness;
- valve seats;
- medium-duty hydraulic applications.
This PTFE version is a modified version of the standard PTFE Virgin.
It has an improved wear resistance, which makes it more suitable for some industrial applications, but still exhibits a coefficient of friction, very close to Virgin PTFE.
Colour: Blue
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- low coefficient of friction;
- improved wear resistance.
- low-duty hydraulic applications.
The carbon increases the creep strength, hardness and thermal conductivity. There is also a distinct improvement in wear resistance.
Machining of carbon-filled compounds has much less tool wear, and is therefore a favoured method of producing parts to close tolerances.
Colour: Dark grey to black
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- good wear resistance both in dry and aqueous environments;
- good compressive strength;
- good thermal conductivity;
- reduced resistance to highly oxidizing chemical agents.
- bearings;
- pneumatics;
- valve seats;
- elastic segments;
- slide rings.
The carbon-fibres increase the creep strength, hardness and thermal conductivity. There is also a distinct improvement in wear resistance.
Colour: Dark grey to black
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- excellent wear resistance both in aqueous environments;
- excellent compressive strength;
- particularly suitable for dynamic applications at high speed.
- bearings;
- slide rings;
- water hydraulics;
- seawater;
- short strokes with high frequency.
Graphite is the crystalline form of high purity carbon, is chemically inert, and can resist high pressures and increases thermal conductivity.
Colour: Black
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- improved sliding properties;
- reduced coefficient of friction;
- improved thermal conductivity;
- extrusion resistance;
- on the mating surface, it produces a very limited wear rate.
- oil hydraulic and pneumatic applications;
- high speed sliding bearing, also in contact with counter-surfaces with limited hardness.
The copper/tin alloys mixed with PTFE produce significant improvement in the creep strength and thermal conductivity. Improved wear resistance in applications with hydraulic media.
Colour: Greyish green to dark brown
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- high compressive strength (low creep);
- good sliding and wear properties;
- good extrusion resistance;
- reduced resistance to chemical agents.
- hydraulics.
The high amount of copper/tin alloys mixed with PTFE produce high improvement in the creep strength and thermal conductivity. High wear resistance in applications with hydraulic media.
Colour: Brown to dark brown
Temperature range: from -200°C up to +260°C
- very high comprehensive strength;
- increased hardness;
- increased wear resistance;
- improved thermal conductivity;
- reduced cold flow.
- hydraulics;
- applications with heavy mechanical stress;
- bearings and pads for high loads with dynamic stresses to shock.
PCTFE is a homopolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene. Features of PCTFE include high compressive strength and low deformation under load.
In particular, its cold flow characteristic is lower than other fluoropolymers and it does not deform under load at room temperature.
Colour: Transparent white
Temperature range: from -270°C up to +170°C
- extremely low gas permeability;
- does not absorb moisture;
- high optical transparency.
- chemical apparatus;
- process equipment;
- cryogenic applications;
- aerospace and flight industry.