PTFE Etching & Bonding

PTFE is well known for being a non-stick material; therefore to enable bonding to other substrates, surface modification in the form of chemical etching is required.

Using the Fluoroetch® process we offer a full in-house service of chemical etching and bonding of fluoropolymers including PTFE, PFA, ECTFE, PCTFE, FEP and TFM.

ETCHING

Our Fluoroetch® Sodium / ammonia process is the most effective etching medium available. The solution is freshly mixed for each specific batch to ensure the highest quality and all etching and testing is carried out to Def standard 93-68 and certified under our ISO 9001:2000 quality system.

Capabilities

• Up to 1.2m width on one or both sides
• Bulk etching of free issue sheet and tape material
• Shapes can be selectively etched to allow bonded fabrications
• Etched sheet can be factory bonded for the manufacture of Fluoroglide® expansion bearings, slide bearings and skidways
• Etching of free-issue materials in sheet form or finished component

For details of our etching facilities or PTFE Sheet and Tape please contact our Manchester office

BONDING 

Our dedicated bonding service of PTFE, to laminate materials and fabricate PTFE based components, is offered with a wide range of adhesives to suit our customer’s specific applications. To ensure the highest quality, peel testing is certified under our ISO 9001:2000 quality system. Hot cure bonding is carried out to ensure the most effective bond possible.

Capabilities

• Sheet sizes up to 3m x 1.5 m can be bonded at any one time
• Length up to 8m have been bonded
• Hot and cold cure bonding available
• Adhesives available including Epoxy, Contact and isocyanates to suit specific applications such as high temperature, chemical resistance and flexibility
• Bonding of most materials including PTFE, rubber, steel, cork, wood and other plastics
• A large workshop offering lifting facilities to cater for most sizes (contact us to discuss sizes)