Isostatic Moulding

For Large and Complex Shapes in PTFE

The process of isostatic moulding involves the cold compaction of the PTFE at high pressure, followed by sintering at temperatures of around 400ºC (752ºF). This process is normally carried out using a mould in a hydraulic press, which restricts the process to the making of simple shapes such as Rods, Tubes and Rectangular Blocks. If contoured or intricate shapes are required, then these will usually need to be post machined. This is wasteful in both time and material.

Isostatic moulding originally developed for the manufacture of ceramics, can provide the solution to enable intricate and contoured shapes to be produced with little or no machining.

The process involves a flexible elastomeric mould which is pressurised within a hydrostatic pressure chamber.

The flexible mould permits the uniform transfer of pressure to the Polymer without fluid contamination. The technique utilises relatively simple and cost effective tooling and produces PTFE products of the highest quality with minimal material wastage.

Fluorocarbon, already UK market leaders in the field of conventional PTFE processing, have recently invested in a major Isostatic Moulding facility. The Plant, probably the largest in Europe offers the opportunity to produce high quality, large and complex shapes in PTFE which, to date, have been virtually impossible to produce other than by extensive machining and fabrication.
 

Typical Isostatic Products

Corrosion Industry

• Pipe & column liners (up to 600mm dia)
• Pipe fittings (tees, elbows & reducers
• Nozzles, dip pipes & spargers
• Valve liners (diaphragm, butterfly gate pinch
• Bellows
• Pump liners (centrifugal, screw)
• Impellers, agitators and mixer paddles

Electrical Industry

• High voltage insulators

Medical & Semiconductor Industries

• Tanks & containers

The Isostatic process is ideally suited for repetitive batch manufacture of PTFE components which fall outside the scope of conventional processing. It is ideal for both insert and outsert moulding to combine the corrosion resistance of the PTFE with the strength of metal.

The design and development of such complex PTFE products involves a partnership between the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the Processor. The OEM provides the need whilst Fluorocarbon, the Processor provides the way. Liaison with our Partners is strictly confidential. If you have an existing product which is difficult to produce conventionally, or a design concept which is beyond the capability of conventional moulding without extensive machining or fabrication, why not contact us.

Contact Us