(and why would I want to use teflon lead wire?)
At Mitchell Electronics we generally like to use a Military Spec Wire. One such example is Mil-W-16878 which is available in many varieties of construction.
Conductors range from tinned copper (Type C) to silver-plated copper (Type E). There are also many different insulation materials available, including PVC, XLPO, and PTFE.
This wire is also available in many different stranding counts and AWG sizes. All of our M16878 wires meet a NEMA HP style, including the NEMA HP3 type.
Today’s blog focus is on the advantages of thin wall Teflon.
“Teflon lead wire offers all of the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties unique to PTFE. The dielectric strength of PTFE at high frequencies is many times that of other insulating materials. It maintains exceptional toughness and flexibility throughout its entire temperature range. The insulation resistance properties are unaffected by heat aging or temperatures of up to 260°C. PTFE tubing possesses the lowest coefficient of friction of any known solid. The anti-stick characteristic facilitates use in applications where space is limited, fits are tight, or lengths are long. PTFE is the material to specify when the reliability and dependability of an application at environmental, electrical, mechanical, and chemical extremes is paramount.”
So let’s break down the Paragraph above …
Reasons Why PTFE Lead Wire Is So Popular
Heat Resistant: Some PTFE lead wire can withstand regular exposure to plus 500 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. Almost all PTFE lead wire thin wall is highly resistant to heat.
This makes it ideal for applications where exposure to hot liquids is routine. Additionally, its resistance is not countered by it becoming brittle when not exposed to heat, which means maintenance costs in high heat applications is minimal.
The heat range it can be exposed to is approximate -450 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it easily the most diverse tubing in regard to temperature on the market.
Corrosion Resistant: A thin wall PTFE tube is mostly inert when exposed to other chemicals. This means that there are almost no adverse reactions when exposed to a wide variety of harsh chemicals and acids.
Additionally, it is impermeable, which means it is water and air tight, even in areas that are subjected to high heat or harsh substances and being subject to being eaten or worn away by a corrosive element.
Extremely Low Friction Coefficient: Light wall PTFE tubing has a very low friction coefficient (0.1,) which makes it ideal for applications where friction can be dangerous,
In fact, smooth bore thin wall PTFE tubing has the lowest friction coefficient of any known solid materials.
If you have any special requirements for your transformers needs our staff is here to help and remember at Mitchell Electronics “We will treat you like family!”
