Teflon is a trade name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and its derivatives, A solid fluorocarbon made from carbon and fluorine, Teflon has numerous useful properties including its hardness, chemical stability, repulsion of water and its exceptionally low coefficient of friction. Even bacteria struggle to get a grip on Teflon, which makes it an excellent coating for surgical instruments as well as in food production. The first “non-stick” cooking pan coated with Teflon was marketed in 1961.
Chemical production and static mixers
All the properties of Teflon recommend it for industries in which chemicals, slurries or other ingredients are mixed together or transported by pipeline. Hardness and corrosion resistance mean components can be reliably left in place for long periods of time. Its repulsion and low friction mean that it minimises resistance to the flow of liquids and mixtures, reducing energy expenditure and providing maximum and controllable turbulence inside the mixer.
The materials used in constructing pipelines are usually stainless steel, carbon steel, PVC or fibreglass, but lining them internally with Teflon or similar coatings allows pipes and mixers to be used even with concentrated acids and other highly reactive chemicals. They are neither degraded by challenging environments, nor are they a likely source of contamination to the end product.
In constantly-running food production processes. Teflon’s repulsion of bacteria and other potential adhesives means that the need for downtime for system cleans is reduced to the absolute minimum. statiflo.com are developers of static mixers and a wide range of these mixers can be viewed on their website.
Even longer life spans
Teflon products of even greater durability are made by combining it with extra-hard additives like titanium, diamond and glass. It is also frequently used in combination with another fluoropolymer, Kynar. The extreme properties of Kynar are broadly similar to those of Teflon and as well as being used as a substrate in liners, it can also be sprayed onto the surfaces of small components or to cover joins and welds.
All variants of these products are UV and radiation tolerant, heat resistant and flame retardant, and can readily be worked with standard workshop tools such as welders. This property ensures that it will be relatively cheap to fit and modify your Teflon components or make effective after-plant alterations.