Views: 102 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2021-07-17 Origin: Site
In the past ten years, PTFE membranes have received more and more attention. Many OEM customers know but are not completely sure what type of PTFE membrane they need. It is understood that there are four variants of PTFE membranes, which will be described in detail below with its characteristics and applications. The manufacturing process of microporous PTFE is very lengthy and expensive.
PTFE membrane film is a microporous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene as raw material, using a special process, calendering, extruding, biaxial stretching and other methods. PTFE membranes can be divided into clothing membranes, air filtration membranes, and air purification membranes according to their uses. The PTFE membrane has a fibril-like microporous structure with a porosity of over 85% and 1.4 billion micropores per square centimeter. Specifically, there are different types of PTFE membranes, such as PTFE extruded film tape, PTFE pipe dope and PTFE film roll.
Before delving into the PTFE membrane variants, we must first understand that both pure PTFE and expanded PTFE are used in the membrane. It is understood that expanded PTFE involves a processing technology. This technology can effectively push air into PTFE, making it softer and lighter than pure PTFE, and has a sponge-like texture. Based on this, we understand the different product characteristics of expanded PTFE film and pure PTFE film, which is very important for PTFE membrane manufacturer in product development and manufacturing.
Hole size refers to the size (or size range) of a single hole or hole in the material. Controlling the pore size is an indispensable step in the process of making membranes.
Porosity is the overall degree of penetration of PTFE into the pores. It is easy to control and calculate. The membrane is porous to a large extent.
In fact, pure PTFE membrane should be called a filter. This is the simplest membrane form and consists of a PTFE sheet with a thickness of 0.5mm to 5mm (possibly more) in which holes are drilled/punched. The manufacturing process of the sheet mainly includes scraping or molding. Customers can request the manufacturer to provide holes of suitable size and quantity according to their needs.
The typical use of pure PTFE membranes is to separate large particles/lumps from liquid suspensions. Its application fields are very wide, mainly including biotechnology, chemicals and food processing. The food-grade and inert nature of PTFE makes it a suitable material that does not react with chemicals/food.
Both porosity and pore size can be easily controlled and measured here. Because it is a machined product, the hole diameter is determined by drilling/punching.
Porous PTFE membranes are the least precise membranes. The particle size of the porous PTFE membrane is between 30 and 100 microns. Its demand is small, and it is mainly used in automobiles and chemical plants.
In cases where finer filtration is required, expanded PTFE membranes can be used. The key feature of this film is breathability. This means that the pore size can be controlled to a certain degree so that air can pass through the membrane. Such films can be used in medical equipment and clothing.
The characteristics of the laminated expanded PTFE membrane are soft, light and thin. This kind of membrane has many applications in medical equipment filters. There are also some uses in the automotive field.
All in all, the manufacturing process of PTFE membrane is lengthy, and the material itself is costly. Which variant you choose depends on its different uses.
