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PTFE LINED PIPING SYSTEMS THE MYTHICAL SOLUTION There is a lot of misinformation in the market place concerning PTFE lined pipe. The way some plastic lined pipe manufacturers act you are led to believe that it is the solution to all your plastic lined pipe requirements and will handle all service conditions from mild to hazardous. That is simply not true. PTFE lined piping systems are prone to several very important problems: 1. PTFE lined pipe and PTFE lined fittings must be vented according to the ASTM specification for plastic lined pipe and plastic lined fittings, F-1545. (Click on the link below to order your copy of F-1545.) PTFE is the most permeable fluoropolymer because it is vented, everything that permeates the liner is released into the atmosphere. 2. PTFE has the poorest mechanical properties of any fluoropolymer. The joints in a PTFE lined piping system are constantly being affected by joint creep and cold flow. Tight joints are crucial to the integrity of a plastic lined piping system. The only thing worse than releasing your product into the atmosphere is dumping it on the ground, equipment, or personnel through a leaky joint. 3. Cheapness recommends it. PTFE is the least expensive fluoropolymer resin used in plastic lined pipe and plastic lined fittings. It is 15 to 20% of the cost of other fluoropolymers. The trade off is that you give up excellent permeation resistance and mechanical properties to save money. Plastic lined piping systems are most often used to carry chemicals that are dangerous and hazardous to your health. Do you want to compromise your safety and the safety of others by using a PTFE lined piping system because it is less expensive than one with better mechanical properties, exceptional permeation resistance, and best of all doesn't leak? There are alternative liner systems for your hazardous chemical services, such as, plastic lined pipe and fittings with Polypropylene, PVDF, ECTFE, ETFE, MPFA, and PFA as well as PTFE. |
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