What is PTFE tape? Explaining its features and uses

PTFE tape is a product that mainly uses a fluoroplastic (PTFE) film or fluoroplastic (PTFE)-impregnated glass cloth as a base material and is coated with a silicone-based adhesive.
PTFE have a variety of properties and are therefore used in a wide range of industrial fields, including in high temperatures, in chemical environments, in product transport processes, and for insulating coating.

This article explains the uses and features of PTFE adhesive tape.

What is PTFE tape?

Fluoroplastic, which is used in PTFE tape, is a general term for plastic raw materials that contain fluorine atoms.
There are nine varieties available, including PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), and these plastics simultaneously have excellent properties such as heat resistance, lowest friction, non-stick characteristics, chemical resistance, Insulation, and weatherability.

Fluoroplastic are generally referred to as "Teflon™," but "Teflon™" is the product name of fluoroplastic manufactured by Chemours.

PTFE adhesive tape uses this PTFE as a base material with an adhesive applied to one side.
Taking advantage of the diverse properties of PTFE, it is used in a wide range of applications, such as bundling cables, product transport processes, and heater protection for heat sealing machines.

The raw material for fluoroplastic is a halogen mineral called fluorite.

Features of PTFE tape​

・ Heat resistance

It has top-class heat resistance and Low temperature resistance among plastics.
It can be used over a wide range of temperatures, from low to high.

・ Lowest friction

It has the lowest coefficient of dynamic friction of any solid.
Since there is almost no frictional resistance, the tape surface is slippery, and simply applying it can improve slipperiness.

・ Non-stick characteristics

It has the property of not sticking to any substance.
This property is also known as releasing ability, and even if it does stick, it has the ability to be easily peeled off.

・Eelectric insulation

It has the highest level of electric insulation of any plastic.
Therefore, it can be used as an Insulation spacer or as insulating coating for wire connections.

・ Chemical resistance

It has a stable molecular structure and is inert to most chemicals and solvents.
Since it is less likely to produce impurities even when it comes into contact with strong acids or strong alkalis, it can also be used for chemical-resistant masking purposes.

Main uses of PTFE tape​

When using heat sealing machines and vacuum packaging machines, heat and pressure above the melting point of the plastic film are applied, so heat resistance and releasing ability are required to prevent the film and heater from sticking together during compression.
In order to increase productivity, high temperatures of 150°C or more may be used and multiple bonding processes may be performed in a short period of time.

Therefore, by using our fluoroplastic tape in the bonding parts of heat sealing machines and vacuum packaging machines, the heater can be protected by heat resistance, and releasing ability prevent the film and heater from sticking together.

In addition, it can be used for a wide range of applications in many industries, including friction surface linings for chutes and hoppers where releasing ability and lowest friction are required, and cable bundling where both lowest friction and Insulation are required.

Introduction of PTFE tape​

There are two types of PTFE adhesive tape: one with excellent flexibility and surface smoothness that are characteristic of fluoroplastic, and one with high strength and dimensional stability that uses glass cloth. We handle the following PTFE adhesive tapes. We can also make suggestions for specific applications, so please feel free to contact us.

PTFE Film Adhesive Tape

■ CHUKOH FLO™ PTFE Adhesive Tape "ASF-110FR"

This is a standard fluoroplastic film tape with a fluoroplastic (PTFE) film base and a silicone adhesive applied to one side. In addition to heat resistance, electric insulation, lowest friction, and chemical resistance of fluoroplastic, it has excellent flexibility and surface smoothness. The color is the clean milky white of PTFE. UL510A certified.

[Application examples]
・Insulating spacers and insulating coatings for joints
・ Cable bundling and protection
・Friction surface lining for chutes and hoppers
・Coating of heat seal crimping parts
・Chemical-resistant masking
・Prevents friction and noise in sliding parts
・Prevents scratches on bottle and can product transport lines and promotes slippage

We also have a wide lineup of products to suit various applications, such as products with embossed surfaces for better slipperiness, products with increased tensile strength, antistatic products, and products with reduced thermal shrinkage.

​Click here for a list of fluoroplastic film adhesive tapes

PTFE Glass Cloth Adhesive Tape

■ CHUKOH FLO™ PTFE Adhesive Tape "AGF-100FR"

This is a standard PTFE glass cloth adhesive tape made from fluoroplastic (PTFE) impregnated glass cloth and coated with silicone adhesive on one side. In addition to heat resistance, electric insulation, lowest friction and chemical resistance that fluoroplastic has, it is excellent in dimensional stability and has unevenness from glass cloth. UL510A certified.

[Application examples]
・Release of heat sealers and vacuum packaging machines
・Mold release during press processes such as resin molding
Electrical insulation coating
・Coating other areas that require non-stick characteristics or lowest friction

We also have a wide lineup of products to suit your needs, such as high heat resistant types that can be used up to 250 °C, products with improved releasing ability and abrasion resistance, and types with separators that allow you to peel the product off little by little as you work.

​Click here for a list of fluororesin fluoroplastic adhesive tapes

Summary

PTFE have a wide range of properties, and by utilizing these properties they are widely used in many industries, including the food, chemical, semiconductor, liquid crystal, scientific and scientific equipment and transportation industries, supporting modern industry.

It is rare for one plastic to have so many properties, and it is sometimes called "the last resort resin."​

Therefore, adhesive tapes that use this fluoroplastic are products that solve many problems, such as "I want to use it in high temperature environments," "I want to improve the slipperiness of product transport lines," and "I want to use it in situations where chemicals are used."
We carry PTFE adhesive tapes that are recommended for use in high temperatures, chemical environments, and product transport processes, so please feel free to contact us.