Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber is a linear polymer and an outstanding representative of perfluoropolymers. The fluorine atoms on the main chain of PTFE are arranged in a double helix structure around the carbon atoms, and the two adjacent fluorine atoms just fill the gap between the two carbon atoms, forming a dense layer of "fluorinated" around the C-C bond. Layer", it is difficult for other molecules or reactive groups to enter, effectively protecting the C—C main chain from erosion.
Since the development of PTFE, due to its excellent properties such as thermal stability, chemical corrosion resistance, low friction coefficient, and low water absorption due to its special molecular configuration, it has received widespread attention in many fields of industrial production and life. And applications, let's take a look at the uses of PTFE fibers in various aspects here.
Application in filter materials:
PTFE fiber has an important application in filter cloth, and its comprehensive performance is superior to other high-performance fiber materials. The current main use of PTFE fiber is to make filter materials for high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance flue gas dust removal. PTFE short fibers can be used to make needle felt for filtration, and long fibers can be used to make base fabric scrims for needle felt. Because of its long service life, it can be used not only for base fabric of PTFE felt, but also for other types of fabrics made of high performance Felt base cloth made of fibers. PTFE sewing thread can be used in various types of filter manufacturing. As a filter material, PTFE fiber can be spun purely or mixed with other fibers. These products are mainly used in hazardous solid waste incinerators (garbage incinerators), cement, coal-fired boilers in power stations, glass, non-ferrous smelting, chemical production tail gas and Dust removal of flue gas, etc. PTFE fiber filter cloth can also be used as filter material for high temperature and corrosive liquids, etc.
Applications in healthcare:
Since the expanded PTFE material is purely inert, has no toxicity itself, has very strong biological adaptability, will not cause rejection by the body, has no physiological side effects on the human body, can be sterilized by any method, and has a microporous structure, so it can be used in In a variety of rehabilitation programs, such as artificial blood vessels and patches for soft tissue regeneration, surgical sutures for blood vessels, heart and liver, general surgery and plastic surgery, its excellent antimicrobial properties, antibacterial properties, long flex life and zero moisture regain, etc. The advantages make people continue to develop the application of PTFE fiber in this field. PTFE fibers have high strength and can be made into dental floss, which can slide freely between teeth without breaking. The clinical effectiveness of this floss has been certified by the American Dental Organization and the British Dental Organization. PTFE fiber can be used as the main component to make up or replace the heart valve. During the operation, the PTFE fiber knitted fabric ring is surrounded around the heart valve. The fiber has excellent fluid sealing properties and plays the role of making up or replacing the heart valve.
Applications in aerospace:
Spacesuits are the most demanding protective clothing today, and their main function is to protect astronauts from heat, cold, chemicals, micrometeoroids, pressure waves and other hazards. Space suits are generally composed of underwear, ventilation layer, thermal insulation layer, airtight limit layer, water cooling suit, heat insulation suit and tearproof layer. Among them, the structure of the airtight confining layer is divided into two layers: airtight and confining, which are combined by local bonding process. The airtight layer is made of nylon base cloth coated with polyurethane or neoprene, which has the advantages of pressure resistance, good air tightness, aging resistance, and light weight. The restrictive layer is made of polyamide fiber, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber or aramid fiber. The main material of the anti-tear layer is synthetic fiber, such as aramid fiber, PTFE fiber fabric. NASA's spacesuit tear-resistant layer is a fabric made of Nomex and PTFE fibers interwoven with Kevlar as a protective yarn. The wear-resistant reinforced material made of PTFE fiber is a structural material for making aircraft and other aircraft. The bushing is an important part of the aircraft landing gear, and the excellent performance of the PTFE fiber fabric bushing can meet the working requirements of the aircraft landing gear. PTFE fibers can also be used to make shields for rocket launch pads, etc.
Applications in construction:
The 100% base fabric woven from PTFE fibers can be used to manufacture architectural films by compounding PTFE films on its surface. This membrane structure building material has good light transmission and self-cleaning properties, which can reduce lighting and air-conditioning costs, and has a durability of more than 20 years. It can reduce the cost of painting and cleaning, shorten the construction period of large-frame roofs by 50%, and reduce the cost of roof materials by 50% and the total construction cost by 20%. It has the advantages of light weight, earthquake resistance, non-combustibility, and high degree of design freedom. Therefore, it can be used as roofing materials for outdoor courts, arenas, stadiums, swimming pools, large exhibitions, etc.
Application in chemical and mechanical industries:
The dynamic friction coefficient of PTFE fiber is small, and it is processed into packing with wear resistance, which can be directly used for the rotating shaft of valves, centrifugal pumps, mixers and agitators (propellers, etc.). The acid and alkali resistance, low wear and non-combustibility of PTFE fiber can make it used in protective clothing in the chemical industry. The base fabric made of PTFE long fibers and the ion exchange membrane compounded with sulfonic acid resin are essential key components for chlor-alkali engineering. Ion exchange fibers made of PTFE grafted with acrylic acid, sodium styrene sulfonate, etc., can be used for heavy metal recovery, catalyst carrier, etc.
