RULON® (FILLED PTFE)
Material Information
Rulon® is the brand name for Saint Gobain’s reinforced PTFE. Filled PTFE offers a combination of high compressive strength, a low coefficient of friction, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance without the need for lubrication. These materials can run from -400º F to 500º F with or without lubrication, which makes them ideal for use in bearings or seals. Rulon® material specifically is known to have the unique property of no “slip stick”, which means it has no erratic motion at low speeds.
Rulon® AR has fillers that are ceramic in nature. This grade offers the best combination of flexibility (more flexible than Rulon® LR) and load carrying properties. It also has high wear resistance, low friction, good electrically insulative properties, and universal chemical inertness. It is commonly used for seals, piston cups, and some bearings. It is available in a maroon color.
Rulon® LR is the most widely used grade of Rulon®. It offers high wear resistance, low friction, good electrical properties, and chemical inertness. It can be bonded to nearly any surface to provide wear resistance and reduce friction. This makes Rulon® LR a great material for sleeves and flange or thrust bearings. It is available in a maroon color.
Rulon® J is an all-polymeic reinforced grade of PTFE. It runs exceptionally well against soft mating surfaces such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and other plastics. It provides the lowest coefficient of friction of the Rulon® grades as well as good wear and abrasion resistance. It is well suited for use in bearing and seal applications, but not for use in alkaline or oxidizing acid solutions. It is available in a light brown color.
Application
- Belts
- Wheels
- Arc shields in railroad cars
- Wear strips
- Metal forming pads
- Bumpers
- Gears
- Bellows
- Machinery mounts
- Cutting surfaces
- Sound-dampening pads
- Chute and hopper lines
- Prototype machined parts
- Gaskets
- Seals
- Rollers
- Roller covers
Properties
- Very broad hardness range
- High elasticity
- Tough and durable
- Excellent abrasion resistance, oil and solvent resistance, tear resistance, weather resistance, and heat/cold resistance
- Excellent flex life
- Excellent electrical properties
- Abates noise
Physical |
Astm Test Method |
Rulon® AR |
Rulon® LR |
Rulon® J |
| Density (lb/in^3) | D792 | 0.081 | 0.082 | 0.07 |
| Specific Gravity | D792 | 2.24 | 2.27 | 1.95 |
| Water Absorption @ 24 hours (%) | D570 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hardness, Shore D | D2240 | 60-75 | 60-75 | 60 |
Mechanical |
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| Tensile Strength (PSI) | D1457 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Tensile Elongation at Yield (%) | D1457 | 175 | 150 | 180 |
| Izod Impact (Notched), ft-lb/in | D256 | 6 | 6 | – |
Thermal |
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| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 10^-5/°F |
D696 | Varies with temp | Varies with temp | Varies with temp |
| Continous Service Temp (Operating), °F | – | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Flammability Rating | UL94 | None | None | None |
Electrical |
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| Dielectric Strength, Short Term, (Volts/Mil) @ .125″ Thick |
D149 | 400-500 | 400-500 | 200 |
| Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) @ 50% RH | D257 | 1.0 x 10^15 | 1.0 x 10^15 | 8.0 x 10^18 |
| Dielectric Constant at 1 MHz | D150 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Dissipation Factor at 1 kHz | D150 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 |
NOTE:
The information contained herein are typical values intended for reference and comparison purposes only. They should NOT be used as a basis for design specifications or quality control. Contact us for manufacturers' complete material property datasheets. All values at 73°F (23°C) unless otherwise noted.