Medical Coatings Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W
Teflon® Properties
- Nonstick
Very few solid substances will permanently adhere to a Teflon® finish. Although tacky materials may show some adhesion, almost all substances release easily. - Low Coefficient of Friction
The coefficient of friction of Teflon® is generally in the range of 0.05 to 0.20, depending on the load, sliding speed, and particular Teflon® coating used. - Nonwetting
Since surfaces coated with Teflon® are both oleophyllic and hydrophobic, they are not readily wetted. Cleanup is easier and more thorough—in many cases, surfaces are self-cleaning. - Heat Resistance
Teflon® industrial coatings can operate continuously at temperatures up to 260°C/500°F and can be used for intermittent service up to 316°C/600°F with adequate ventilation. - Unique Electrical Properties
Over a wide range of frequencies, Teflon® has high dielectric strength, low dissipation factor, and very high surface resistivity. By special techniques, it can even be made electroconductive enough to be used as an anti-static coating. - Cryogenic Stability
Many Teflon® industrial coatings withstand severe temperature extremes without loss of physical properties. Teflon® industrial coatings may be used at temperatures as low as -270°C/-454°F. - Chemical Resistance
Teflon® is normally unaffected by chemical environments. The only chemicals known to affect all Teflon® industrial coatings are molten alkali metals and highly reactive fluorinating agents.
Basic Types of Teflon® Coatings
DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings can be used on carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, steel alloys, brass, and magnesium, as well as non-metallics such as glass, fiberglass, some rubber, and plastics. Optimum adhesion is obtained by roughening the surface before applying the coating. Except where specifically mentioned, most Teflon® industrial coatings require a primer coat.
- Teflon® PTFE
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) nonstick coatings are two-coat (primer/topcoat) systems. These products have the highest operating temperature of any fluoropolymer (260°C/500°F), an extremely low coefficient of friction, good abrasion resistance, and good chemical resistance. - Teflon® FEP
FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer) nonstick coatings melt and flow during baking to provide nonporous films. These coatings provide excellent chemical resistance. In addition to low friction, FEP coatings have excellent nonstick properties. Maximum use temperature is 204°C/400°F. - Teflon® PFA
PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) nonstick coatings melt and flow during baking to provide nonporous films. PFA offers the additional benefits of higher continuous temperature of 260 C/500 F, heavier average film thickness and greater toughness than PTFE or FEP. - Teflon® S Single or Multiple Coat
These solvent-based liquid coatings are formulated with special blends of fluoropolymers and other high-performance resins to improve toughness and abrasion resistance. Because the film components stratify during baking, most of the fluoropolymer properties (such as low friction and nonstick character) are retained. The resins provide adhesion and abrasion resistance. These products can sometimes be applied to smooth, clean metal. Bake requirements vary, depending on the specific coating, from 163°C/325°F to 316°C/600°F.
A
Abrasion: Wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction.
Additive: A substance added to a formulation in relatively small amounts to impart or improve desirable properties or suppress undesirable properties.
Alkaline wash: Cleaning process that employs a high pH solution (caustic). A good choice for parts with little buildup of contaminants.
Aluminum oxide: Hard particulate medium used in grit blasting to clean and roughen surfaces that are to be coated.
ASTM: American Society of Testing and Materials.
Average particle size: The average diameter of particles as determined by various test methods.
B
Binder: Tough polymer that acts as an adhesive to join elements of matrix coatings.
Buffing: Process of polishing a cured coating to improve release and low friction.
Bulk density: The mass per unit of volume in powder form, including the air trapped between particles
Burn-off: A method of removing a coating. Temperature is elevated above the degradation point of the coating and held there until the coating breaks down. (See surface preparation).
Burnishing: Process of polishing a cured coating to improve release and low friction.
C
Carrier: The liquid portion of a coating (solvent or water) in which solids are dissolved or suspended.
Coefficient of friction: A number expressing the amount of frictional effect: static or dynamic.
Cold flow: Tendency of plastic materials to migrate slowly under heavy loads and/or over time.
Compatibility: The capacity of different materials from different sources or of different compositions to be combined and applied so as to yield no visible or mechanically measurable differences in the cured film or application properties.
Conductor: Material that can support flow of electric current. Fluoropolymer coatings are normally insulators, but can be modified with certain fillers and pigments to make them conductive.
Contact angle: A means of quantifying the nonstick properties of a coating by measuring the ability of a liquid to wet its surface.
Corrosion: Process of metal decomposition (oxidation) in which metal ions are united with oxygen to form metal oxides. Fluoropolymer coatings provide excellent barriers against corrosion.
Crosslinking: Quality of thermosetting plastic resins in which polymer chains combine during the curing process. In general, the greater the crosslinking, the tougher and more chemically resistant the coating.
Cryogenic: Relating to very low temperatures.
Cure end point: The point either during or following the cure schedule at which the coating film is determined to have developed specified properties.
Cure schedule: The time/temperature relationship required to cure a coating.
Curing: Process of bonding or fusing a coating to a substrate with heat and developing specified properties in the coating.
Cut-through resistance: A coating film's resistance to penetration resulting from the combined application of sharp edges, heat and pressure.
D
DFT: Dry Film Thickness.
Dielectric strength: Ability of a coating to resist the passage of electric current.
Dip/spin: Coating application technique in which small parts are placed in a basket that is lowered into a coating bath, then raised and spun to remove excess coating. An economical system for coating high volumes of small parts.
Dry (solid) lubricants: Solid materials such as PTFE, Moly Disulfide, Teflon®and graphite that have low coefficients of friction.
E
Edge coverage: A coating's ability to flow over, build and adhere to sharp corners, angles and edges.
Engineering plastics: Plastic resins that have high-performance properties such as high temperature stability, hot hardness, abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance.
Flexible and Rigid Epoxy: A flexible resin, usually thermosetting, made by polymerization of an epoxide and used chiefly in coatings and adhesives.
ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene): A thermoplastic member of the fluoropolymer family. ETFE is noted for exceptional chemical resistance, toughness and abrasion resistance.
F
FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene): A thermoplastic member of the fluoropolymer family. FEP has excellent nonstick and non-wetting properties.
Fillers: Pigments and other solids used to alter properties of coatings.
Flash point: The lowest temperature at which a solvent will generate sufficient vapors to ignite in the presence of heat.
Flashing: A brief sub-cure (at lower temperatures than the final cure) to drive off solvents or carriers prior to full cure. This helps prevent bubbling or blistering.
Fluoropolymers: Family of engineering plastics containing fluorine, characterized by high thermal stability, almost universal chemical resistance and low friction.
Friction (dynamic): Resistance to continued motion between two surfaces; also known as sliding friction.
Friction (static): Resistance to initial motion between two surfaces.
Fusion: The melting and flowing of heated polymer particles to form a continuous film.
G
Graphite: A carbon-based dry lubricant that is preferred for high-temperature applications.
Grounding: Being electrically connected to earth or having no charge.
H
Hot hardness: Ability of a coating to retain hardness and wear resistance at elevated temperatures. Usually a characteristic of coatings based on thermosetting resin binders.
HVLP (high volume, low pressure): A spray technique utilizing high pressure in combination with low air velocity to increase transfer efficiency and reduce air pollution.
Hybrid resin: A combination of two or more common resins.
I
Intercoat adhesion: A coating's ability to adhere to previously applied films, including primers.
lbf: Pounds force, a measure of force, also expressed as "Kilo-Newtons" (KN).
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): The lowest percentage at which organic particles suspended in air will ignite if a source of ignition is introduced. It is also referred to as minimum explosive concentration (MEC).
M
Matrix coating: One in which some ingredients, such as the lubricant (PTFE), which is soft, are enveloped in others (the matrix, such as harder, more wear-resistant binders). Also referred to as "resin bonded coating."
Melt point: The temperature at which a polymer particle will begin to melt and flow.
Micro-inch: µ inch, a millionth of an inch.
Micron: µ, one micron, one millionth of a meter. Also expressed as µm or micro-meter.
Micron: As commonly used in the coating industry, is equivalent to 1/25th of a mil, i.e. 25 microns are equivalent to one mil of coating thickness, or one mil of coating thickness is equivalent to 25 microns.
Migration (of lubricant): Characteristic of any lubricant which is under pressure to move away from bearing area.
Mil: One thousandth (0.001) of an inch (25.4 microns). Most common non-metric measurement of coating thickness.
Moly, moly disulfide, molybdenum disulfide, MoS2: Four names for the same naturally occurring substance that has good low friction and high load-bearing properties.
N
Noise reduction: The absorption of sound vibrations. Fluoropolymer coatings form good noise dampening surfaces.
O
Oleophobic: Oil shedding.
P
Partial cure: Process sometimes utilized when multiple layers of fluoropolymer coatings are to be applied. The first coat is incompletely cured; the second coat is applied and both are fully cured together. See Flashing.
Pencil hardness: A value determined by measuring the relative hardness of a coating based upon the ability of the coating to resist penetration and gouging by pencil lead of varying hardness. The order of pencils from softest to hardest is 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, and 8H. The hardness rating of the coating is equal to the first pencil which does not penetrate and gouge the coating when tested from softest to hardest.
PFA (perfluoroalkoxy ethylene): Thermoplastic member of fluoropolymer family of engineering plastics, one characterized by excellent release, chemical resistance and toughness.
pH: An expression of the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance expressed as a number from 0 to 14. Neutrality is pH7. Acid solutions are less than 7 and alkaline solutions are greater than 7.
Phenolic: A resin or plastic, usually thermosetting, made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and used for molding, insulating, coatings and adhesives.
Phosphating: Surface pretreatment used on ferrous parts that provide a very thin crystalline film that enhances both corrosion resistance and adhesion.
Pigment: Finely divided, insoluble colored substance used to impart color to a coating.
Polymer fume fever: An illness characterized by temporary flu-like symptoms caused by inhaling the products released during the decomposition of fluoropolymers.
Post-cure: A second cure at high temperature to enhance specific properties such as release and non-wetting.
Postforming: Process of shaping parts after a coating has been applied and cured, a technique commonly used with stamped, blanked or spun parts.
Preheating: Warming of parts prior to application of a coating, recommended when adhesion is critical and when parts are being coated in humid atmospheres. In some cases, this technique can be used to achieve higher-than-normal film builds.
Preloads (for fasteners): The "tightness" of a fastener, equal to the make-up energy applied minus the energy required to overcome friction at the fastener's bearing surfaces and threads.
Pressure spraying: Coating technique similar to siphon spraying, except that the coating is delivered from a pressurized pot to the spray nozzle under positive pressure. Generally used for high-volume production.
Pretreatment: Processes for cleaning and conditioning a substrate to be coated. Next to the choice of coating, this may be the most important factor in the use of high-performance coatings.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene): PTFE has the lowest coefficient of friction of any known solid and the highest operating temperatures of the fluoropolymers.
PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride): High-molecular weight thermoplastic of vinylidene fluoride with excellent strength, wear resistance and creep resistance.
R
Resistance (electrical): The opposition offered by a coating to the passage of an electric current through it.
S
Sand blasting (also grit blasting): The process of surface cleaning and roughening that provides a mechanical "tooth" to aid coating adhesion. Media include aluminum oxide, even crushed walnut shells. The medium must be chosen to match the substrate and the foreign material on the substrate to be removed.
Sintering: A process where the temperature of PTFE is raised to the point where PTFE particles soften and form a bond with each other.
Siphon spraying: Most common technique for applying coatings, also known as "conventional air spray". The coating is drawn from a reservoir into an atomizing air nozzle and propelled toward the surface to be coated.
Static electricity: Buildup of stationary electrical charge on a coating powder or a coated surface.
Stick-slip (chatter): Unstable sliding condition in which movement of one part over another starts and stops, caused by temporary overcoming of static friction.
Storage stability: The ability of a coating material to maintain uniform physical and chemical properties while in storage over an extended period of time.
Substrate: Any surface to be coated. This can include metals such as steel, cast iron, bronze, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, chromium and, with special precautions, nickel. Paper, most plastics, wood, leather, fabrics and glass can also be coated.
Surface appearance: The smoothness, gloss and presence or lack of surface defects in a coating.
Surface treatment: Conditioning the substrate before coating through grit blast, phosphate, etc. May include the removal of a coating (See Burn-off).
T
Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE): Monomer used as a chemical feedstock in the production of PTFE or Teflon®.
Thermoplastic resin: A resin which will melt when heated and solidifies when cooled, and softens when reheated.
Thermoplastic: Plastic resin that softens when reheated and hardens when cooled.
Thermosetting resin (Thermoset): A resin designed to undergo an irreversible chemical and physical change during a heat-cure schedule, i.e., a plastic resin that crosslinks during cure so that it does not soften when reheated.
Transfer efficiency: The ratio of the amount of coating deposited on a substrate compared to the total amount directed at the part to be coated.
U
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): The highest percentage at which organic particles suspended in air will ignite if a source of ignition is introduced.
V
Volatile content: The quantity, expressed as a percent weight of a coating, that is lost under specified conditions of temperature and time.
Volatility: The readiness of a substance to change from a solid or liquid form to a vapour.
W
Wear: Deterioration by friction (abrasion, spalling, cutting, fretting).
Weight solids: Expressed as a percentage, it is the amount of a substance which remains relative to the total weight, after all volatile components of the substance have been evaporated. The determination is usually hastened by heating the substance in a controlled environment.
Wrap: A characteristic of liquid and powder coatings in electrostatic application to adhere to areas of the substrate not in direct line of sight of the delivery system end point.
Conversion Chart
| Micron | Millimeter | Centimeter | Meter | Inch | Mil | |
| 1 Micron => | 1 | 0.001 | 0.0001 | 0.000001 | 0.00003937 | 0.03937 |
| 1 Millimeter => | 1,000 | 1 | 0.1 | 0.001 | 0.03937 | 39.37 |
| 1 Centimeter => | 10,000 | 10 | 1 | 0.01 | 0.3937 | 393.7 |
| 1 Meter => | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 100 | 1 | 39.37 | 39,370 |
| 1 Inch => | 25,400 | 25.40 | 2.54 | 0.0254 | 1 | 1,000 |
| 1 Mil => | 25.40 | 0.0254 | 0.0025 | 0.0000254 | 0.001 | 1 |
For example, to convert .0002 inches to microns,
multiply .0002 by 25,400 microns.
.0002 inches = 5.08 microns = .2 mil = .005 millimeters
