PTFE Release Agents

PTFE coatings are common in today’s release agent industry. There are hundreds of PTFE-based release options available from dozens of release manufacturers around the world, so what sets one coating apart from all the others?

The answer is simple, not much. Most PTFE-based release agents available today are just simple dispersions that rely on PTFE’s low coefficient of friction to reduce de-molding force and provide adequate release. These coatings are cheap to manufacture, and their benefits do not extend much further than the base qualities of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

McLube® Formulation Chemists saw the potential that PTFE-based coatings had in the release industry and began developing new, cutting-edge PTFE-based formulas, but they did not stop with simple dispersions. Our PTFE-based release agents have been finetuned for decades with proprietary additives that enhance the best qualities of low-molecular-weight PTFE while improving upon basic surface adhesion, durability, and dry release performance. Our line of PTFE release agents includes fast-drying, solvent-based coatings and sprays as well as a variety of water-based options, including dilutable concentrates and colloidal dispersions that do not require agitation prior to use. If you are interested in trying a formulated PTFE release agent, or want more from the PTFE coating you currently use, then contact McLube® today. Our Technical Representatives will analyze your process and recommend a PTFE release agent that is perfectly tuned to your materials and process goals.

Featured Products

Product	Description
McLube® 881	An exceedingly durable, crosslinking PTFE release ideal for tenacious materials. Will provide multiple releases per application. Recommended For: FKM, HNBR, and VAMAC® polyacrylates Availability: Bulk only Cure Type: Instant
McLube® 968C	A concentrated colloidal dispersion of finely divided PTFE. Requires little or no agitation before use. Intended for inhouse dilution for additional cost savings. Silicone-free. Recommended For: Silicone and organic rubbers, urethane-bound elastomers Cure Type: When dry Availability: Bulk only Medium: Water-based Temperature Range: 32°F to 550°F (0°C to 288°C)
McLube® 1711L	A solvent-based PTFE dispersion with binding additives offering semi-permanent, non-transferring release properties. Suitable for metallic and nonmetallic molds and tooling. Silicone-free. Recommended For: Most elastomeric compounds, including silicone rubber; rubber-to-metal bonding Availability: Bulk and aerosol Cure Type: Instant Temperature Range: Up to 550°F (288°C)
McLube® 1725L	A versatile, solvent-based dispersion of PTFE offering multiple releases per application. Contains additional slip for complex geometries. Recommended For: EPDM, SBR, nitrile, natural; injection molded rubber, composite applications Availability: Bulk and aerosol Cure Type: Instant Temperature Range: Up to 550°F (288°C)
McLube® 1779	A water-based VOC-free release option for tenacious rubbers. Supplied as a CONCENTRATE for inhouse dilution. Contains additional slip for complex substrates and small sprues. Recommended For: FKM, peroxide-cured EPDM, and HNBR, some resin applications Availability: Bulk only Cure Type: When dry Temperature Range: 32°F to 550°F (0°C to 288°C)

Benefits

Enhanced release performance
Chemically inert, non-reactive release film
Repels water, dirt, and grime
Improved surface adhesion
Reduced de-molding force
Thin, durable release films that preserve mold details
Consistent release properties
Non-migrating, non-staining, and non-oily
Semi-permanent release characteristics

Technology

About PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as PTFE, is a synthetic fluoropolymer discovered in 1938. Many know PTFE by its generic brand, Teflon®, made famous as an anti-stick coating on household cookware.

PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any compound. The most common application for PTFE is as an anti-stick coating on household pots and pans but it is also used extensively as an additive in anti-stick coatings, dry lubricants, and release agents. Bacteria also have difficulty adhering to PTFE and PTFE-coated parts, making it an ideal material for medical instruments, food processing equipment, and marine applications that see buildup of algae and other microbes. One of the most important attributes of PTFE is its chemically inert, non-reactive molecular structure. Containers, piping, and other instruments are fashioned from or coated with PTFE because it will not chemically interact with most substances and stands up to many corrosive chemicals.

As is the case with any molecule, PTFE’s many attributes are owed to its unique molecular structure; PTFE molecules are composed of a carbon (C⁶) chain tightly bonded to outer fluorine (F⁹) atoms. These fluorine atoms can be thought of as “happy,” they are tightly bound to their carbon chain and have little atomic affinity for other surrounding molecules. Fluorine’s contentment gives PTFE its exceedingly low coefficient of friction and allows PTFE to the repel dirt and grime that sticks to other coatings. The unique structure of PTFE molecules also gives this fluorocarbon excellent hydrophobic qualities. PTFE will repel moisture to protect metallic surfaces from corrosion and prevent contamination of water-sensitive materials.

Applications

Supported Processes and Materials

McLube® Technical Representatives will recommend our PTFE-based release coatings for a variety of rubber applications, especially those involving compression and transfer molding or rubber-to-metal bonding. PTFE coatings are generally not recommended for injection molded rubbers, however, McLube® does offer several PTFE coatings with additional slip for this application. PTFE release agents are also ideal for many composite manufacturing applications because they will not chemically interfere with binder resins during material integration. Contact McLube® to discuss PTFE release options for your process.

Consult a local McLube® Technical Representative to find the ideal formula available for your needs. Featured products displayed on this page from time to time are for promotional purposes only and do not represent the full product line McLube® offers for this particular material or application. Product availability, including container sizes, concentrations, and aerosols, will vary by country or region. McLube® is a registered wordmark of McGee Industries, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Products that do not bear the McLube® brand name are not manufactured to specifications designated by McGee Industries, Incorporated despite any similarities in numerical names/ designations.