PTFE tapes are used in a sealing application as well as in high technology applications
PTFE tape is a thin film of unsintered PTFE. This product is well known by the general public for its use in plumbing as TST. This is not its only use. Indeed, highly technical applications of unsintered PTFE tape are spreading in demanding applications for energy and data cables.
PTFE Thread seal tape is the most widespread application of PTFE tape
The TST, for Thread Seal Tape, is common in the general public for plumbing work. This is why it is also known as plumber’s tape or Teflon tape, even if it only refers to the generic name, and not the trademark by Chemours. This smooth tape is used to seal pipe threads. Available as TST spools, this products makes it easy to wind around pipe threads, thus lubricating the connection and allowing a deeper tightening of screws, while improving leakage prevention.
While it seems common, it is also widely used in industrial pipes for demanding fluid sealing. Special grades are optimized for example for drinking water, but also for gas or even medical gases. In this case, the application requires grease-free tape, to preserve the purity of the gas. There again, the resistance of PTFE to temperature, corrosion, its purity and sealing properties are required.
The plumber’s tape is commonly white, and these dedicated TST tapes are found in different colors to indicate the pipes where they can be used, depending on fluids (or gases), pressure, and so on…
Unsintered PTFE tape is essential for the cable industry
How to choose PTFE tape for your activity?
Mechanical resistance is obviously another important criteria. In daily life, we all know the struggle of products that are hardly handled. Good resistance also allows faster wrapping of cables.
