PTFE rubber gaskets for chemical resistance

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer derived from tetrafluoroethylene. This versatile material boasts an extremely high melting point, high flexural strength, a low coefficient of friction and is hydrophobic. PTFE rubber is also chemically inert, which makes it the ideal choice of material for chemical resistant gaskets used in chlorine electrolysis.

What is chlorine?

Chlorine (Cl) is a naturally-occurring chemical element and one of the basic building blocks of matter. A yellow-green gas at room temperature, chlorine is the second-lightest of the halogens. It appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are for the most part intermediate between the two. Elemental chlorine at high concentration is extremely dangerous and toxic to most living organisms.

How is chlorine obtained?

Chlorine is obtained from salt (sodium chloride), one of the most abundant minerals on earth. This occurs through the Chloralkali process, which involves the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution. It is an exceptionally efficient process that produces several useful by-products. Hydrogen, which is used as an energy source in manufacturing facilities and sodium hydroxide, which is used in the manufacture of many industrial and consumer products.

What are the uses of chlorine?

Elemental chlorine and chlorine-generating compounds are commonly used for disinfection. As well as the chlorination of swimming pools and drinking water, chlorine disinfection has improved the lives of billions of people worldwide. It is also an essential chemical building block used to produce a huge range of products that contribute towards technology, nutrition, public health, security and transportation.

Chlorine chemistry is fundamental to the production of everything from food and medicines to mobile phones and computers. It is also employed in countless less obvious applications, such as contact lenses, bullet-proof vests, paint, solar panels and prosthetics. In fact, chlorine is used in the manufacture of an almost exhaustive array of consumer products; about two-thirds of which are organic chemicals like polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Chemical resistant gaskets from TRP Polymer Solutions

Given the dangers associated with chlorine, chlorine-based applications require gaskets that deliver reliable sealing and formidable chemical resistance. PTFE rubber is known for its chemical inertness and low friction, making it the ideal chemical resistant rubber for use with highly aggressive chemicals like chlorine. TRP Polymer Solutions is a leading exponent of chlorine electrolyser cell gaskets and PTFE protected gaskets for chemical processing.

As a leading producer of PTFE rubber components, TRP Polymer Solutions can reduce your maintenance costs and equipment downtime by significantly improving the lifespan and performance of your pumps, valves, couplings, seals and gaskets. We specialise in developing durable and reliable chemical resistant gaskets for the chemical processing industry, including specialised gaskets specifically for chloralkali processing applications.

To find out more about how our chemical resistant gaskets in PTFE rubber can benefit your chlorine application, or to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact TRP Polymer Solutions today on +44(0)1432 268899 or email sales@trp.co.uk.