What is Filled PTFE and What are its Advantages?

• PTFE with Glass Fillers: Glass is the most widely used filler in PTFE. Glass fillers enhance the strength and durability of PTFE. The more the glass filler amount the better the compressive strength of PTFE. If glass-filled PTFE is inert gas sintered the porosity and the tendency to creep will reduce more. Due to its high wear resistance, it is used in hydraulic piston rings.
• PTFE with Molybdenum Disulfide Fillers: Molybdenum Disulfide or MoS2 becomes more solid as well as smooth when combined with bronze or glass. This filler also improves the wear resistance and compressive strength of PTFE. It is used in dynamic seals. It also lowers the coefficient of friction.
• PTFE with Carbon Fillers: The electrical conductivity of carbon makes it static dissipative. This conductivity of carbon also makes it applicable for appliances needing higher thermal conductivity. It is less corrosive than glass. It can be used either in the form of powder or fiber. The benefits of carbon-filled PTFE are reduced deformation under heavy load, better compressive strength, low permeability, and improved wear resistance.
• PTFE with Bronze Fillers: Bronze, as a filler material, reduces the chemical inertness and non-stick properties of the PTFE. Bronze fillers improve the wear resistance of PTFE. These fillers are useful for applications requiring good electrical and thermal conductivity. Bearing and piston ring applications use materials having 55% bronze.
• PTFE with Stainless Steel Fillers: Stainless steel fillers should be implemented in applications employing steam and hot liquids at high temperatures. PTFE with powdered stainless steel fillers can bear heavy loads. This filler is useful for food, drink, and mechanical industries.
• PTFE with Graphite Fillers: Graphite has self-lubricating properties which reduce friction. It is generally used in combination with glass or carbon or both. It has good wear resistance due to its flaky form.
• PTFE with Polymide Fillers: It has a lower friction coefficient. It is good for stainless steel, plastic, brass, and aluminum surfaces as it corrodes slowly. Polymide is a synthetic polymer. Stop-start and dry running or non-lubricated applications can use PTFE with polyamide fillers. 

There are many other kinds of fillers like calcium fluoride (CaF2), alumina (Al2O3), wollastonite, Ekonol, Ryton, etc. PTFE on machine parts makes it more durable which is why it has many applications. Some of them are aerospace machines, food and drink industries, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, laboratories, cookware, protective clothing, etc.