P.T.F.E. Non-Stick Coating
In recent years the advent of the P.T.F.E. non-stick surface has created a whole range of products with this highly desirable characteristic. The average person probably encounters this type of surface in simple kitchen utensils, but there are numerous industrial applications of the same process.
The application of the P.T.F.E. coatings has been the core of the whole development and for some time, Metallisation has been working with various manufacturers in the Industry. One of the main problems has been to provide the correct key on the metal surface for the subsequent application of the P.T.F.E. non-stick coating. The most suitable way of obtaining such a coat is to provide a non-continuous deposit of sprayed aluminium oxide particles or other materials either ceramic or metallic. The particles are not in continuous contact as the deposit is comparatively thin, in fact, as little as 25 microns (0.001”). However, it is vitally important that the coating is uniform to ensure the correct performance of the P.T.F.E.
In volume production it has been found necessary to use an automatic plant to ensure uniformity of thickness of the deposit, to deal with large-scale production. Automatic plants of several different designs has been produced to overcome these problems. In one such plant the problem has revolved around spraying on circular discs in pre-production form. Incorporating its own spray booth, the plant consists of two arms with a rotating mechanism at their extremity. Whilst one arm is in the spraying position, the other arm is being loaded or unloaded. Each disc is completed on a fixed time cycle, the arms automatically swinging into the spray area so that the operation of the spray is continuous.
