Can PTFE lubricants mix with DuPont™ Vertrel® solvents?
Yes. Many PTFE “dry lubricants” and coatings use Vertrel® solvents as the carrying agent. These are normally applied in a dipping process. These processes work particularly well with Vertrel® because Vertrel® has some capability to dissolve PTFE and the densities of the material are similar to each other. Coatings produced with Vertrel® will have superior lubricity to coatings produced with HCFC-141b carrying agents because of the intrinsically closer match chemically between the Vertrel® and the PTFE lubricant. The end result is a PTFE coating that is exceptionally smooth, free of runs and drips, and highly cost-effective. The handling of the dipping process is simplified, as well, with Vertrel® because the material stays in suspension better than with the lighter carrying agents. This improves quality and reduces rework while simplifying the need to constantly agitate the dipping solution.
