A PTFE film laminate consists of PTFE films that have been laminated to a PTFE coated fiberglass fabric. While some PTFE coated products can perform adequately in the demanding conditions, overwhelming evidence has shown that a PTFE film laminate provides the best long-term protection for the fiberglass reinforcement.
PTFE coatings are inherently porous. Surface cracks in PTFE coatings permit harmful fluids to penetrate into the fiberglass substrates. Dip-coated PTFE/fiberglass materials often fail because the coatings are unable to provide an adequate barrier for the fiberglass. Unlike PTFE, fiberglass is easily attacked by light chemical exposure. Water is a very corrosive media to fiberglass. In a steam environment, failure will occur in weeks, if not days, for a PTFE-coated fiberglass material.
Surface cracks in PTFE coatings permit harmful fluids to penetrate into the fiberglass substrates. These cracks are totally unavoidable in any PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric. When a PTFE film is laminated to a PTFE-coated surface, the surface cracks remain sealed for the life of the product.
The overall porosity and permeation properties in PTFE film laminates will be lower than those found in PTFE coated fiberglass fabrics. Additionally, the laminated PTFE film ensures that the composite maintains a uniform PTFE thickness over the entire surface. The tough PTFE film barrier makes cleaning easier and eliminates any concern for the "thin coating areas" found in all PTFE-coated fiberglass fabrics.
The material itself is offered in various thicknesses and which can be selected to suit a particular application. Standard thicknesses are 4thou, 9thou, 10thou and 12thou and are manufactured on a single ply of glass cloth. Thicker versions are also available as well as a range of 2ply and 3 ply products.
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