Aside from this reaction, there are also two main industrial processes which are used to synthesize this polymer. Manufacturers first begin by synthesizing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) by amalgamating fluorspar, hydrofluoric acid, and chloroform. These three ingredients are then combined in a chemical reaction chamber which is heated from 590-900 °C. The resultant gas is then cooled and distilled in order to remove any impurities. From there tetrafluoroethylene undergoes either suspension or dispersion polymerization (“Teflon,” n.d.). Suspension polymerization uses a liquid form of tetrafluoroethylene which is poured into a reaction chamber filled with purified water and a reaction agent responsible for starting the polymerization. The moment …show more content…
As this process starts, the chamber is shaken vigorously. The resulting PTFE changes state and becomes a solid allowing for it to float to the surface of the water. After this, the water is drained out of the chamber, leaving the solid, string-like PTFE inside. Next, the PTFE is dried and put into a mill where it is pulverized to produce a powder-like consistency. This powder is then converted into granules through a process called agglomeration which can be done in many different ways. One of the most common method used consists of mixing the PTFE powder with a solvent such as acetone and tumbling it in a rotating drum. This causes the PTFE grains to stick together, forming small pellets which are further dried in the oven. These pellets can then be molded using a variety of different techniques. One technique requires the PTFE pellets to be poured into cylindrical stainless steel molds which are then loaded onto a hydraulic press. After some time, the PTFE is removed from the mold and placed in an oven for a final process called …show more content…
PTFE coatings are very important in the pharmaceutical industry as they play a key role in applications such as vessels, mixer shafts, chutes, forming molds, and packaging machinery. This is due to the corrosion resistance this polymer provides when harsh chemicals are used. Furthermore, PTFE has a non-stick coating which allows for it to be applied on pre-heat and sealing machinery used to package pills and capsules (“Pharmaceutical,” 2016). On the other hand, the automotive industry incorporates PTFE in several vehicles, especially in air bike systems in which over-braided hoses are needed. It is also used on the edge of air compressors as it can withstand high temperatures. Moreover, PTFE can also withstand very low temperatures allowing for it to also be used in the cryogenic industry where hydraulic hoses, piston rings, and fuel lines are manufactured. Lastly, the chemical industry also uses PTFE in hoses that are used to transfer chemicals due to how inert it is against several chemicals (“PTFE Industrial Coating,”