Surface treatment of PTFE
Open-knowledge reference entry
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), better known by its trade name Teflon, has many desirable properties which make it an attractive material for numerous industries. It has good chemical resistance, a low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and a low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for reactor linings, circuit boards, and kitchen utensils, to name a few applications. However, its nonstick properties make it challenging to bond to other materials or to itself.
Several surface modification techniques have been developed to promote adhesion with PTFE and increase the strength of bonds. The primary methods currently used in industry are sodium etching and plasma etching. Results of ion beam treatment and laser surface roughening have also been reported in the literature, but do not have a significant presence as commercial processes.
Sodium etching
Wetting the surface of PTFE with commercially available solvents and liquid adhesives is virtually impossible. The exception to this is with special halogenated solvents that have a surface energy lower than PTFE, such as 3M's FC series solvents. These 3M solvents are, however, toxic and expensive. Additionally, even if wettability is acceptable, the PTFE will not form hydrogen bonds which are the primary source of adhesion strength.
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