{"id":5216,"date":"2023-04-17T08:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T08:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiretroop.com\/?p=5216"},"modified":"2023-04-18T02:28:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T02:28:06","slug":"ptfe-vs-tfe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wiretroop.com\/ptfe-vs-tfe\/","title":{"rendered":"PTFE Vs. TFE: An ultimate guide on PTFE wires and cables"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
About PTFE Vs. TFE, Today the sealing industry has several brand names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, there\u2019s always new technical jargon, so keeping up is hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good example of such jargon is PTFE and TFE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article explains PTFE vs. TFE<\/strong>, including the coaxial cables and hookup wires that utilize them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TFE (Tetrafluoroethylene)<\/a> is an odorless, colorless gas that\u2019s extremely toxic and, in some cases, deadly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Its primary industrial application involves the production of different fluoropolymer resins like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But these fluoropolymers also have several other uses due to a combination of properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Something essential to remember about TFE is that users must implement the highest safety standards when using it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s because, besides its toxicity, it\u2019s highly flammable and chemically unstable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, even without oxygen, TFE can still explosively decompose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That has unfortunately led to industrial accidents now and then from the unwarranted ignition of TFE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PTFE, also commonly known as polytetrafluoroethylene, is a type of fluoropolymer consisting of TFE molecules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its exceptional qualities make it one of the most widely used coatings for different applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of coating is hydrophobic, which means that it can\u2019t be wet by water or substances containing water because of its high level of electronegativity<\/a> to fluorine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, it tends to be highly non-reactive and has very low friction rates contained in solids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Such features, as well as remarkable release capabilities and the ability to withstand a maximum usage temperature range of 500\u00b0F, make it one of the most sought-after non-stick elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The coating also gets applied to a thickness of about 0.0003 to 0.0008 inches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n About 200,000 tons of PTFE get produced annually across the globe, and some of its main industrial applications include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating PTFE entails using four ingredients, hydrofluoric acid, fluorspar, water, and chloroform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers combine all these elements by using a chemical reaction conducted in a heated chamber of 590 to 900\u00b0C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Making PTFE involves two primary stages and a sequence of reactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, the TFE gets synthesized from chloroform, hydrofluoric acid, and fluorspar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All these ingredients must be combined via pyrolysis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because TFE is highly flammable, this step must be performed on-site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is to polymerize the TFE into PTFE using radical polymerization<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The process utilizes minimal amounts of elements like ammonium persulfate and succinic acid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The other main ingredient involved in the polymerization process is water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also call PTFE insulation Teflon\u2122<\/a>, which is the brand name given by the DuPont Company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unaffected by oils, most chemicals, moisture, and alkalis, PTFE insulation is a non-aging, abrasion-resistant, tough, and weather-resistant material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you can immerse the PTFE cable in water, oil, or gasoline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, PTFE insulation, with a melting point of 327 degrees Celsius, does not become brittle or degrade at high temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, it is non-toxic and resistant to mildew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further, it has an extremely smooth surface and is flexible with a low friction coefficient, facilitating installation in difficult-to-reach places and conduits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers use a high-pressure ram extruder to make PTFE hook-up wires, including UL 1199 (between 20 and 40 mils) and three NEMA HP3 styles (wall thicknesses between 6 and 28 mils).<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PTFE Coating Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Are PTFE Coatings Made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Which Hook-up Wire Uses PTFE\/TFE?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
UL 1199 Hook-Up Wire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n