The laboratory for thermoplastic fluoropolymers has many year experience in the sphere of producing fluoropolymeric coating materials and process for coating. Fluoropolymeric coatings have excellent protective, insulating, antiadhesion, antifriction properties. They are resistant to corrosive fluids (acids, hydroxides, oxidizers, solvents, moisture, sea water), radiation, their operating temperature range is from -260 to +260 ^оС.

Now the laboratory extends their activities in fluorocontaining coatings and proposes the following:

• Scientific and technical assistance in the selection of coating materials and coating methods, supply of samples and contribution in the supply of materials;

• Development and commercialization of original coating processes on the order of customer. Preparation of scientific and technical documentation;

• Test of coatings;

• Coating of products of customers.

Properties of Fluoropolymeric Coatings.

Powder Coating

Processes for electrostatic spraying of fluoroplastic coatings have been developed from F-2M, F-30PS, F-32 LON, F-40 DP (VE), F-4MBP, F-50 PN etc. powders. Their thickness is 0.3-1.5 mm, they do not have any bubbles or pores, they have stable adhesion to various metals including cooper and cooper alloys.

Applications of Powder Coatings

F-30PS, F-2M protect metals of filter holders from corrosion in very corrosive fluids (Caro mixture etc.) in the production of electronic circuits;

F-2M is used for chemical protection of steel rolls in the production of lithium foil, to protect rolls from biocorrosion in the production of melt cheeses;

F-30PS is used for antistatic coatings to prevent from electric breakdown in transportation of microcircuits and in explosive and fire hazardous plants;

F-4MBP is used to protect tanks and pumps, F-4MBP coating is used as packing for oil pipelines. In this case easy assibly, disassibly and long use of coated couplings are achieved. Such coatings are successfully used for screw high pressure compressors to pump gases.

F-4MBP, F-30P are used for corrosion protection of medical tools, to import biological inertness and insulating properties to thi (pincers, laparoscopes etc.), to protect steel rolls from paint adhering in printing.

Promising developments can include fluoroplastic spraying onto dielectric supports, e.g. polyimid film. One spraying layer is equal to 80 mkm thick coating. The adhesion of fluoroplastic powder coatings to polyimide is appr. Twice higher than that of traditional coatings (from suspension). Coated films can be used for the production of very b tape wires, thermal films for xerox machines etc.

Varnish Coatings

Fluoroplastic varnishes LF-32L, LF-42L, fluoroplastic epoxy varnishes LFE-32LNKh, LFE-32LNG, LFE-42LKh, LFE-42LG (TU 6-05-1884-80) have been developed and produced. Fluoropolymeric coatings are produced from thi by usual methods and formed at both room and higher (80-250 ^оС) temperatures. Coatings based on these varnishes have high anticorrosive and protective properties (ref. table), they do not swell in water. They are resistant to acidic and alkaline fluids (98% nitric acid, 37% hydrochloric acid, 50% acetic acid, 50-98% sulfuric acid, 50-90% phosphorous acid, 40% sodium hydroxide solution) and to corrosive gases and vapours  containing hydrogen fluoride, oxidizers and other corrosive components.

Applications of Fluoroplastic varnish Coatings

• corrosion protection of gas ducts, fans, exhaust cabinets, heads at chemical plants, in electronics optics, food industry, protection of tanks and filters in the production of beer, wine etc. å ;

• varnish coatings based on F-42 have good physico-mechanical properties, chemical resistance, high tribotechnical properties, they can be used for various gaskets, packings, rubber diaphragms. Such coatings provide easy and multiple applications of rubber products, increase airtightness of equipment and its period of operation.

Suspension Coatings

Coatings made of fluoroplastic suspension and of their compounds are coated by all methods used in paint, and varnish industry. They are used as antiadhesive (F-4D, F-4MD) and anticorrosive (F-2ME, F-2MSD, F-3MSK, F-4MD) coatings.

Applications of Suspension Coatings

• F-4D, F-4MD suspension compounds are used as antiadhesive coatings for wares, bakery moulds, toasters, screws, dies in the production of macaroni; to prevent blocking of polymer melts on sealing knives, iron bottoms, rolls and thermofilms of xerox machines, injection moulds etc.; to produce fluorinish cloths of F-4DE01 type used for printing circuits, to insulate wires, for continuous transportation tapes, packing in confectionary production and bakery etc.;

• FBF-74D, VAF-31 compounds are used for antifriction coatings under dry friction conditions;

• FBF-74D coatings are used as antiblocking coatings onto rolls for pastes containg honey, for polyurethane reprocessing etc.

LININGS

F-4MB, F-32L, F-3M films, F-2M sheets and films, F-4D pipes and films, fluorinish cloths have been developed, they are used to produce fluoroplastic lining coatings. Linings are produced as free weltding inserts or they are adhered and welded and form single structure with steel surface of the tank.

Promising works include thermal lamination of F-4D pipes and films by glass fibers, this procedure has been developed in replacient of chemical activation of F-4D and adhering laminating cloth. In this case very high adhesion of fluoroplastic and cloth is achieved, it exceeds cohesion strength of the materials to be bonded. Such pipes and films with laminating layer can be used to manufacture biplastic equipment with glass external layer, to line gas ducts of tanks of heating systems, chemical plants etc.

Lining method for external surfaces of pipes, rolls and other cylindrical products with fluoroplastic films has been developed by winding films and further thermal moulding. By using this method it is possible to produce 1 mm coating by one operation, coating is free of pores, bubbles. In some cases this method is more productive than powder spraying (e.g. F-4MBP).

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Coating are developed using new F-6210 (F-6220) material.

Coatings for high temperatures (max. 200-250 ^оС) and for corrosive gases (sulfur and nitrogen oxides) and condensate are being developed to protect heat exchanging equipment and gas ducts of heating centers.