When producing wire and cable, the most common fluoroplastics are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). But of course in the aspect of performance the best of the fluoroplastic is the PTFE cable which is often referred to Teflon cable. It serves the irreplaceable function in many areas of application. Before you proceed to purchase Teflon wire, there are important things which you need to know and understand.
What is Teflon Wire?
Teflon wire, commonly known as fluoroplastic wire, also known as high temperature wire, is a wire whose insulation is made with fluorine coatings using polytetrafluoroethylene as the base resin. PTFE Teflon wire has high performance, combining heat resistance, chemical inertness and excellent insulation stability and low friction, with comprehensive advantages that other coatings cannot match. It has a longer service life than the PVC and PE materials used in conventional cables.
Main properties of Teflon
Teflon cable has a series of excellent performance in use:
- High temperature and low temperature resistance: high temperature cable is the long-term allowable operating temperature up to 125 ℃, 130 ℃, 150 ℃, 180 ℃, 200 ℃, 250 ℃ and 250 ℃ above the cable. And special cables can be used in specific occasions with specific purposes of the cable. Teflon high-temperature wire is both of these two properties of a cable. PTFE in -196 ~ 260 ℃ wide temperature range are to maintain excellent mechanical properties. Its long-term use temperature of 200 ~ 260 degrees, and in the -100 degrees will not become stiff and brittle.
- Chemical inertness: Teflon will not react with other chemicals at room temperature and pressure, so it is widely used in various chemical reaction containers and pipes.
- Electrical properties: Teflon materials have a low dielectric constant and low high frequency losses, which means less energy is lost when transmitting electrical signals. In high-speed data and high-frequency circuit transmission such as 24 awg or 28 awg teflon wires allow for more precise signal transmission.
- Corrosion resistance: The high electronegativity of the fluorine atoms in PTFE effectively insulates the polymer chain from external chemicals. Teflon cables are resistant to almost all strong acids, alkalis and organic solvents, and their corrosion resistance remains unchanged even at extreme temperatures.
- Mechanical properties: Teflon coated wire has very high tensile strength and hardness, as well as good abrasion and impact resistance, which makes it used in a variety of mechanical components.
Main Application of Teflon Cable
Aerospace cable. With its lightweight, space-saving, interference-resistant, and excellent physical and chemical properties, Teflon wire has a major role to play in aerospace and aviation.
High frequency data transmission cable. Its stable insulation properties ensure reliable connections in high-frequency communications, radar systems, and precision electronic instruments, such as axial RF cables and microwave transmission lines.
Industrial automation and control circuits special cable. Power industry wire and cable applications in different environments, high temperature, immersed in liquids, prone to mechanical damage are very demanding on the cable, copper teflon wires can effectively overcome these harsh environments.
Automotive connecting cable. Fluoroplastic insulated cables can pass the UL standard 80℃ oil resistance test, and there are many places where teflon hook up wire are used in cars.
Healthcare teflon cable. Its biocompatibility and non-stick properties make these wires suitable for the manufacture of precision medical equipment, such as endoscopes, pacemakers and surgical tools internal wiring can be ensured that the sterilization process is not damaged, to provide patients with a safer treatment environment.
How to tell the difference between teflon wire and pvc wire?
PVC Vs. Teflon wire: 3 Aspects of Comparison
From the appearance of the wire, the brightness of the two are different. Teflon cables have a glossy surface that looks brighter while PVC cables may appear darker in comparison. In addition, the insulation of wires made from Teflon will generally be thinner, while any insulation made from PVC will be thicker. However, the insulating properties of both are comparable. In addition to this, what are the differences in use?
Temperature Resistance Comparison
Teflon cables are less likely to ignite in direct contact with an ignition source, while PVC cables are highly ignitable. PVC gives off a distinct chlorine odor when it burns and the root of the flame may appear green. This shows that Teflon has superior flame retardancy and high temperature resistance compared to PVC.
Conventional PVC cables are not thermally stable. It becomes hard and brittle at low temperatures and softens and relaxes at high temperatures. Typically it is suitable for regular temperatures from -40°C to +105°C. Whereas teflon cables have a much wider operating temperature range and can withstand temperatures in excess of 200°C. So they are more commonly used in aerospace and high-end electronics.
Application Environment Comparison
Chemically inert and with an extremely low coefficient of friction, Teflon insulated wire excels in chemical processing and highly corrosive environments to maintain the long-term reliability and safety of equipment. By contrast, despite its widespread use in residential and general industrial applications, PVC wire is less stable at high temperatures or in chemical environments, limiting its suitability for extreme conditions.
Price Comparison
PVC wire is the mainstream choice in the market due to its low production cost. It is particularly suitable for projects with limited budgets and large-scale wiring needs. Although high temperature teflon wire has a higher initial cost, its long service life and irreplaceability in specific demanding applications make it an ideal choice for the high-end segment. For projects where long-term maintenance costs and the value of continuous equipment operation need to be considered, Teflon cable is more cost-effective. Therefore, both types of wires are available to satisfy different levels and needs of the user community.
Teflon wire purchase guide
- Product performance certification
Insulation quality: Teflon wire insulation should be uniform in thickness and have good high temperature resistance. Check whether the insulation layer is smooth and flawless with moderate thickness to secure electrical safety and service life.
Core material and structure: Silver-plated copper stranded wire is preferred as the core because of its good conductivity and corrosion resistance. The core should be free of obvious defects, such as cracks or burrs, to ensure the stability and safety of current transmission.
We can take a wire and cable head with a hand repeatedly bending, where the feel soft, good fatigue strength, plastic or rubber feel elastic and wire and cable insulator without cracks is superior.
- Purchasing Channels
When the appropriate purchasing channel is chosen, it is possible to buy teflon wire of good quality. First of all, try to go for the official site of a trusted teflon wire supplier or a certified online platform so as to be certain of the product and after-sales service. Verify with the supplier the certification requirements of the product, for instance, UL certification can further verify the compliance of the product. Also, comparing prices and product specifications with multiple suppliers will help consumers choose the most cost-effective option. For larger purchases, contacting the manufacturer directly for customized sourcing is also a viable option. For example, ZW cable as a customized cable manufacturer is superior in terms of professional services.
Should there be any other inquiries presented or the need for additional electrical cable types, feel free to reach out to our representatives!
