Is ptfe safe?

While cookware using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been around since the 1960s, its safety has become the subject of debate in recent years. The majority of the discussion has revolved around a substance called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. This acid is used in the production of many fluoropolymers, including PTFE.

In 2003, the Environmental Working Group petitioned the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to put labels on PTFE-coated cookware to warn of potential safety concerns for both pet birds and humans. The petition cited multiple cases of bird deaths due to fumes from PTFE nonstick coatings along with two specific incidents of polymer fume fever -- temporary flulike symptoms -- in humans. After review, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission denied the Environmental Working Group's petition to require warning labels on PTFE-based nonstick cookware.

In January 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft risk assessment on the health effects of PFOA. The EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics formed a Science Advisory Board to review the draft's findings. According to the review letter, three-fourths of the panel found that PFOA fit the EPA's guidelines for a "likely to be carcinogenic" substance. But while the EPA is continuing to study PFOA's effects on humans and the environment and has a program to eliminate PFOA and related chemical emissions and products by 2015, its current stand is that there is no reason for consumers to stop using PTFE-based nonstick cookware . The final product is PTFE -- not PFOA.

Even though the CPSC and the EPA haven't determined a need for warning labels on nonstick cookware or pulled it from the market, it's still a good idea to follow a few guidelines in the kitchen. First, as DuPont -- maker Teflon, one of the best known nonstick cookware brands -- points out on its Web site, birds have delicate respiratory systems that can be affected by any fumes, not just those from nonstick cookware. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep birds out of the kitchen. Second, don't heat PFTE-coated pans beyond 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius) or leave them unattended. It's also a good idea to replace your pans if their coatings are visibly deteriorating.

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How to use PTFE tape

Teflon tape is a specialized type of tape used in plumbing to seal connections thoroughly, ensuring that pipes will not leak. This tape is also referred to as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) tape, with Teflon being a trademark of the DuPont company. 

PTFE is a very interesting substance. From a plumbing point of view, it's important to note that it is very flexible and that it has immense tensile strength. When Teflon tape is used to wrap the threads of a pipe, the tape acts almost like putty, filling the space and preventing leakage. While it is possible to use plumbing putty for tasks like this, Teflon tape is quicker and easier, and often much neater, as well. 

Typically, PTFE tape is white, because this is the natural color of the substance. Some companies make color coded PTFE tape, with different colors being designed for different types of plumbing. The Teflon tape used for gas plumbing, for example, is thicker to prevent gas leaks, and it may be coded blue or yellow. The tape is not adhesive, tending to cling with pressure but being easy to move and reposition. 

This tape is designed for use in pipes with tapered threads. Tapered pipes are ideal for making a tight seal because the tapered design creates a wedge effect, sealing the pipe neatly so that nothing can leak out. To use the tape, a length is wrapped around the male or threaded end of the pipe, and then the female end of the pipe is connected. It is important to make sure that the Teflon tape does not overlap with the end of the pipe, as this can cause problems in the future, because the tape may block the pipe. 

Teflon tape is a very useful thing to keep around the house. Even if a plumber will be consulted to fix a problem, the tape can be used for a quick fix to keep things contained until the plumber arrives. People should be very careful around gas plumbing, as gas leaks can be quite dangerous, and they need to be handled by professionals. If a gas leak is suspected, the gas should be turned off and a gas professional should be called immediately.

How PTFE Works

Otherwise known as thread seal tape, PTFE tape is used on the male end of pipes (known as threads) before they are connected to other pipes. The film is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a synthetic better known as Teflon. Because this substance is impermeable and malleable, it forms into a putty-like substance after it is wrapped around pipe threads and screwed into other pipes. The friction caused by screwing the pipes together activates the thread tape, creating an airtight seal and ensures that the pipes are properly jointed.

PTFE tape only works on tapered threads as opposed to parallel threads. This is because the tape works off of the friction created by tapered threads. Thread tape works as a sealant because it self lubricates as it is met with friction. Using too much PTFE tape can be harmful, as excess material can ooze out of the pipes, yielding exposed harmful chemicals.

Using PTFE Tape

An important aspect of PTFE tape is to make sure you use the right amount. The optimal amount is two times around the pipe in the opposite direction of the thread. If you find that you have incorrectly placed the thread tape and the pipe connection is crooked, you could find yourself with a difficult situation. The pipes could be too tight to unscrew. However, you may be able to fix this by removing the fixture that contains the pipe and sticking a screwdriver into the connection and pry it open.

Types of PTFE Tape

PTFE tape comes in a variety of colors, density and thickness. For the most basic plumbing projects, you will be able to use standard, white PTFE tape. However, for gas lines and more dangerous work, a more specialized type of thread tape may be necessary. The color of the tape doesn’t affect its performance, but may be selected based on the coloring of your pipe. There are standards in place that determine the classification of PTFE tape, taking into account factors such as width and density.

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Filled PTFE Teflon Plastic Sheet

PTFE has excellent all-round properties performing well at both high and low temperatures, being corrosion-resistant, non-stick, self-lubricating and insulating. In addition, it has a low friction coefficient.

Thick:1",1/2",1.25",1.5",2",3/8" or Custom

Specifications:Glass Filled PTFE Skived Sheet with color pigment, which can be made based on customers' detailed requirement.

• 1. Normal thickness: below 3mm
• 2. Width: max 2500mm
• 3. Color: according to customer's requirements

Glass filled PTFE or Teflon is marked by its superior chemical resistance, excellent thermal and electrical insulation, a low coefficient of friction and a working temperature range of 400°F to 500°.

The glass fiber gives strengthens its machinability as compared to its virgin PTFE counterpart. It has a variety of applications including use in seals, insulators, and electrical parts, and is a better choice than nylon and acetal for plain bearings, gears and side plate.

PTFE is available in many different Grades as Virgin PTFE, Chemically Modified PTFE, Carbon Filled PTFE, Glass Filed PTFE, Carbon / Coke Filled PTFE, Graphite Filled PTFE, Bronze Filled PTFE, Bronze + Molybdenum Disulphide Filled PTFE, Aluminum Oxide Filled PTFE, Calcium Fluoride Filled PTFE, Stainless Steel Filled PTFE, Mica Filled PTFE, Glass + MoS2 Filled PTFE, MoS2 Filled PTFE, Chemically Modified PTFE etc.

The Filled grades of PTFE can be compounded & customized for specific service conditions & applications. Filled PTFE grades have specific properties improvement based on filler, type of filler & percentage of filler.

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PTFE vs LDPE

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It was the first grade of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) using a high pressure process via free radical polymerization. The EPA estimates 5.7% of LDPE is recycled. Despite competition from more modern polymers, LDPE continues to be an important plastic grade. 

LDPE is defined by a density range of 0.910–0.940 g/cm3. It is not reactive at room temperatures, except by strong oxidizing agents, and some solvents cause swelling. It can withstand temperatures of 80 °C continuously and 95 °C for a short time. Made in translucent or opaque variations, it is quite flexible and tough.

LDPE has more branching than HDPE, so its intermolecular forces are weaker, its tensile strength is lower, and its resilience is higher. Also, because its molecules are less tightly packed and less crystalline due to the side branches, its density is lower.

PTFE is a thermoplastic polymer, which is a white solid at room temperature, with a density of about 2200 kg/m3. According to DuPont, its melting point is 600 K (327 °C; 620 °F).[19] It maintains high strength, toughness and self-lubrication at low temperatures down to 5 K (−268.15 °C; −450.67 °F), and good flexibility at temperatures above 194 K (−79 °C; −110 °F). PTFE gains its properties from the aggregate effect of carbon-fluorine bonds, as do all fluorocarbons. The only chemicals known to affect these carbon-fluorine bonds are highly reactive metals like the alkali metals, and at higher temperatures also such metals as aluminium and magnesium, and fluorinating agents such as xenon difluoride and cobalt(III) fluoride.

Material Applications:

PTFE:Cabling solutions;Non lubricated bearings;O-rings;Seals;Capacitors;Semiconductor manufacturing;High temperature electrical parts;Gaskets;Valve components.

LDPE:Trays and general purpose containers;Corrosion-resistant work surfaces;Parts of computer hardware, such as hard disk drives, screen cards, and optical disc drives.

Material Properties

PTFE:Excellent dielectric properties;Inertness to most chemicals;High heat and chemical resistance;Very low coeffiecient of friction;Excellent radiation resistance;Zero moisture absorption;Relatively insensitive to power frequency;Machinability.

LDPE:Non-reactive at room temperatures;Can withstand temperatures of 80 °C continuously;Machinability.

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What are PTFE gaskets

All Seals is a recognized leading converter of high quality PTFE gaskets, seals, washers and insulators. 

All Seals has experience in the providing of precision PTFE gaskets, seals, washers, and insulators for a wide range of industries and applications.  Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is DuPont's trademark of Teflon. It is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene consisting completely of carbon and fluorine. It is innately hydrophobic (repelling water and water containing substances) and has one of the lowest coefficients of friction against any solid. 

PTFE has excellent dielectric properties and provides excellent thermal insulation with an operating temperature range of -400°F to 500°F. PTFE is the most chemically resistant plastic known and is unaffected by most corrosive liquids, vapors, and gases. PTFE is generally offered in thicknesses spanning from .002" to .250" thick and conforms to both FDA and AMS specifications, making it acceptable to both medical and food production industries. 

PTFE, Unfilled Teflon Gaskets

Virgin grade PTFE gaskets are made from 100% pure material which is used in most general applications. It is extremely soft and formable and is often used for chemical resistant seals and gaskets. It is made directly from the resin producer and has never been processed into a shape. It possesses the highest physical and electrical insulation properties and has increased resistance to creep (compression) under load. Virgin grade PTFE can be recognized by its whiter color compared to mechanical grade PTFE.

PTFE, Filled Teflon Gaskets

Filled PTFE gaskets are made from PTFE which integrates additives and fillers in order to improve the performance of the gasket. This improves the gaskets ability to wear and enhances its unique combination of chemical, physical and electrical properties. Filled Teflon is the most common type of PTFE gasket for industrial use as it exhibits improved mechanical strength compared to Virgin PTFE. Glass, carbon and fiber particles are typical fillers that are used to enhance the mechanical strength of the gasket depending on the application.

PTFE, Expanded Teflon Gaskets

Expanded PTFE gasket material is produced by expanding Virgin PTFE using a process that creates a uniform and highly fibrillated microstructure with equal tensile strength in all directions. This means that expanded Teflon possesses no structural weakness or a "grain". Since no additives are required, expanded Teflon also possesses the unique chemical resistance of Virgin Teflon. Expanded PTFE is much softer and more flexible than regular PTFE gaskets and thus conforms easily to irregular and rough surfaces. The material is easier to compress and minimizes creep and cold flow.

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