Polytetrafluoroethylene is produced by free radical polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. Industrial polymerization is carried out with stirring in the presence of a large amount of water to disperse the heat of reaction and to facilitate temperature control. The polymerization is generally carried out at 40-80°C and a pressure of 3-26 kgf/cm2. Inorganic persulfates and organic peroxides can be used as initiators, and redox initiator systems can also be used. There is an exotherm of 171.38kJ per mole of tetrafluoroethylene during polymerization. For dispersion polymerization, perfluorinated surfactants, such as perfluorooctanoic acid or its salts, must be added. PTFE can be processed by compression or extrusion; it can also be made into an aqueous dispersion for coating, impregnation or fiber formation. PTFE is widely used in atomic energy, aerospace, electronics, electrical, chemical, mechanical, instrument, instrument, construction, textile, food and other industries as high and low temperature resistant, corrosion resistant materials, insulating materials, anti-stick coatings, etc.
Polytetrafluoroethylene is widely used in a variety of needs to resist acid and alkali and organic solvents. It is not toxic to humans, but perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the raw materials used in the production process, is considered to have carcinogenic effects. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Plumbers Tape uses 100% polytetrafluoroethylene as raw material, and it has a reticulated expanded structure composed of fine long fibers and nodes. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Plumbers Tape has the characteristics of good toughness, high longitudinal strength and easy lateral deformation. It is ideal for sealing on discs and threads. However, it cannot be used in contact with high concentrations of oxygen or liquid oxygen.
