Bellows can perform a variety of tasks in a mechanical system, including vibration dampening, absorption of displacement in a piping system, compensating for misplacement and misalignment, and the protection of brittle components (glass, graphite, glass-lined steel, etc.).
When PTFE is used for bellows, their applicability expands greatly. In this blog post, we are going to talk about applications for PTFE bellows in terms of the special characteristics that PTFE offers.
Chemical Resistivity
PTFE bellows are ideal for corrosive and chemically aggressive environments because of PTFEs outstanding chemical compatibility. When combined with bellow designs that work well for applications involving entrained solids, they are ideal for applications such wastewater treatment or paper and pulp processing. General PTFE bellows are commonly used in chemical and pharmaceutical processing, as well as in coating technology, because of their resistivity to a wide variety of harsh chemicals.
Ease of Sanitation and FDA Approval
Theres another reason why you see PTFE bellows used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and diary industries: PTFE is far easier to clean up than other polymers because its chemical nature repels liquids and other materials from the surface. It is also resistant to the harshest of cleaning regimens, including high-temperature and/or steam sanitization. It lends itself readily to use in areas such as medicine, food, and dairy. The availability of PTFE in FDA approved grades makes it quite useful to these same industries.
Mechanical Properties
In addition, PTFE bellows have a long flex life and a very durable, making them ideal for critical applications involving dangerous chemicals which is one of the reasons why they are popular for use in pollution control applications. PTFE bellows are also commonly used to provide shielding for highly sterile areas.
Its low flex makes PTFE very well adapted to protecting sensitive, brittle equipment from excessive vibration, misalignment, or displacement. Furthermore, PTFE bellows are often used in conjunction with piping systems (including lined pipes), metering devices, and valves (such as stem valves, aseptic valves, sampling valves, servo valves, solenoid valves, etc.).
Anti-Static Grades
PTFE bellows are available in static-dissipating/anti-static grades for very sensitive applications, making them a first choice for many semiconductor manufacturing systems or areas where static build-up can become a serious issue.
Conclusion
Finally, youll also see PTFE bellows used in places you might think a bit more unusual, such as steel mills and the fitting industry. With its high working temperatures (up to 400°F) and high pressure ratings, PTFE is an excellent choice for bellows whether you are in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, petrochemical, dairy, semiconductor, or wastewater treatment industry. PTFE bellows will get the job done!
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