We live in a world where products are available from around the globe. They come in a variety of qualities. Nevertheless, we still purchase hoping they will perform as they are advertised or, at least, manage to duplicate their intended function. Consumers expect a lot form a product. They want it to be strong, durable, safe and even attractive. While not all products can achieve this goal, the ones that do often owe it to a simple, but effective protective coating. In some cases, this is a release coating.
What Is a Release Coating?
Release coating can be defined simply as a solid or liquid substance forming a layer to separate two substrate materials that might negatively react to each other. One of the more popular substances used to accomplish this is a fluoropolymer. It has its basis in a polymer but is a fluorocarbon with quite resilient carbon-fluoride bonds. A fluoropolymer is actually a very specific type of polymer – one that possesses very special properties.
What Does It Do?
Release coatings can perform several tasks. It:
* Acts as a more efficient and effective lubricant for machine parts
* Reduces friction among machine parts
* Cuts down on noise
* Provides items with a non-stick surface
* Resists corrosion
* Withstands high temperatures
* Prevents water absorption
* Does not conduct electricity (are insulators)
The combination of these characteristics makes them ideal for certain industrial applications.
Applications of Fluoropolymer Release Coatings
Fluoropolymer release coatings act to protect the products to which they are applied. The intent is to make them more durable and to improve their function. They are found in various industries including:
* Aircraft wire insulation: Using this type of coating provides the wiring with ire resistance properties
* Printing and packaging factories: The manufacturers apply a coating to frames, rolls and ink trays
* The food industry: Fluoropolymer coatings are applied to various bread, candy and cheese molds to prevent sticking during removal of the products
* Automotive industry: This industry finds multiple uses for release coatings. With the intent to reduce or even prevent friction and corrosion, companies apply it to certain components such as gears and ball bearings
Overall, the major users of release coatings are in the electronics and automotive industries. The demand for fluoropolymer coatings continues to grow as industries find more uses for them.
A Release Coating
If you want to protect and enhance a product, you may want to consider coating it. If the intent is to protect wire insulation or a food tray, you should look into a very specific type of protective coating. In such cases and for other specific applications, what your product may require is the benefits that come from applying a release coating.
