bonding to teflon

[rmetzger]

I am looking into a modification on an existing product what will require bonding on unprepared PTFE clad acrylic fibers? Etching or corona discharge unfortunately are out due to the assembly but I may be able to use other more tame cleaning methods prior to application? The other bonding element is a two part epoxy. any thoughts (other than nothing really bonds with teflon well)?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Thin the mixed epoxy with, e.g., acetone.

OR

Run a vacuum impregnation cycle before the epoxy cures.

... Either way, you _might_ get a slightly better mechanical bond, by causing the epoxy to infiltrate the flaws and pores in the teflon.

Don't expect miracles.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[unclesyd]

Our electrolytic cell development group used products like or similar to these to hold Teflon component parts until they could be restrained mechanically. The bond strength wasn't all that high but it would allow handling and assembly of the parts. Ihave no idea of the actual strength.

Primers for Cyanoacrylate adhesives.

http://www.polymeright.com/cgi-bin/showprod.pl?prod=3

Look at B-46-Cat and B-46TH

http://www.reltekllc.com/adhesives-coatings.html

You might want to look up information on Teflon fibers as there has been a lot of work with them. Our research group did a lot work in that area but I don't have access to their work.

 

[WKTaylor]

rmetzger.

Have You looked at SAE AMS2491 "Surface Treatment of Polytetrafluoroethylene Preparation for Bonding"?

Regards, Wil Taylor

 

[rmetzger]

thanks all - I'll check into the sae document and see what I can dig up via the teflon fiber research - the existing assemblies is the wrech in the gears in this one unfortunately.

We're also going to run some tests with thin epoxy and a vacuum pump to see if we can draw it down into the voids that exist.

 

[Higgler]

Can a laser make small pin holes in your part for the two part epoxy to seep into with acceptable weakening of the part?


kch

 

[rmetzger]

the cladding on the fibers is fairly important to maintain the function of the device. We have tried plasma etch on the cladding of new units and seen a change in the performance so I would hesitate to penetrate the cladding.

 

[unclesyd]

You might want to give these people a call. Never used their materials but it looks interesting.

http://www.reltekllc.com/index.html