Investigations into the degradation of PTFE surface properties by accelerated aging tests

This paper describes an accelerate aging procedure used for investigating the surface alteration of PTFE gaskets commercialized by two alternative producers. These gaskets are installed in modern process plants where tires moulds are cleaned inside a multistage ultrasonic process. The surface of gaskets degrades inexplicably under ordinary operative conditions after a relatively short period. Even if these gaskets are exposed to a combination of ultrasonic waves, temperature, humidity and acid attack, the PTFE properties of resistance nominally exclude the possibility of severe erosion phenomena as highlighted during the real utilization. A possible explanation could be represented by the presence of unexpected chemical compounds emerging from the disaggregation of highly reacting elements from the tire composition. In particular, it is believed that the unpredicted combination of fluorides and chlorides could explain the violent chemical attack highlighted on steel tanks and on their gaskets. But no evidence exists. Thus, the experimental characterization of PTFE properties has to follow an appropriate accelerated aging, aiming at actuating the specific mechanics of wearing as in industrial use.