I would like to coat a small 5/16-inch tube, either metal or plastic with teflon to make the inside of the tube as slippery as possible. The only teflon material I can think of is paperthin cookie sheet liner which can easily be cut to size. I could roll up this teflon sheet, but how do I make it stick to the inside of the tube? Can't glue it. The other option would be an off-the-shelf tube already lined with teflon. I am not aware of such a thing. There might be another non-stick material that I could use. How slippery is nylon? maybe I can find a nylon tube. The tube would not have to be long, maybe 2 inches or so. Any ideas?
Teflon coating?
- Thread starter BRZED
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Does the tube have to be flexible, semi rigid, or full rigid ?
High density polyethylene, Delrin, Teflon, -- you got a lot of options.
They use Delrin for bearings in casters.
What's the limit on the outside diameter ?
They use Delrin for bearings in casters.
What's the limit on the outside diameter ?
I think it depends on what's gonna be going through the bore. UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is very slick against metal, but not so much against other plastics. You probably have a UHMW cutting board in your kitchen right now. I have to use a grip pad under my cutting board, otherwise it'll slide all over the place.
We machine bar stock teflon to make glides for our cleaning equipment.
You can buy it in various diameters...
You can buy it in various diameters...
Maybe a teflon tube:
teflon shapes from McMaster
They have 5/16" inside diameter in a 7/16" or 1/2" outside diameter in lengths from 1 to 6 ft. If you match the outside diameter of the teflon to the inside diameter of a steel pipe you could slide the teflon inside the steel pipe for rigidity.
Watcha makin?
teflon shapes from McMaster
They have 5/16" inside diameter in a 7/16" or 1/2" outside diameter in lengths from 1 to 6 ft. If you match the outside diameter of the teflon to the inside diameter of a steel pipe you could slide the teflon inside the steel pipe for rigidity.
Watcha makin?
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Originally Posted By: BRZED
I I could roll up this teflon sheet, but how do I make it stick to the inside of the tube? Can't glue it.
McMaster Carr sells "etched" teflon sheet. The acid etching allows it to be glued effectively for many aviation applications (such as rub strips for flight controls) . Epoxy or contact cement will work. Just don't expect an ultra robust bond.
I I could roll up this teflon sheet, but how do I make it stick to the inside of the tube? Can't glue it.
McMaster Carr sells "etched" teflon sheet. The acid etching allows it to be glued effectively for many aviation applications (such as rub strips for flight controls) . Epoxy or contact cement will work. Just don't expect an ultra robust bond.
JHZR2
Staff member
Depending upon the build thickness, you may be able to coat it with an appropriate solvent.
Harrington Plastics sells PTFE tubing and PTFE lined steel pipe. Maybe other things as well, I just took a quick glance.
Originally Posted By: tcp71
Watcha makin?
Sounds like a fleshlight to me.
Watcha makin?
Sounds like a fleshlight to me.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I think it depends on what's gonna be going through the bore. UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is very slick against metal, but not so much against other plastics. You probably have a UHMW cutting board in your kitchen right now. I have to use a grip pad under my cutting board, otherwise it'll slide all over the place.
A clay-like polymer will be forced into, through and out of the tube. I may even be able to lubricate the tube, in case a non-stick coating is not possible. Wood and bamboo cutting boards only.
I think it depends on what's gonna be going through the bore. UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is very slick against metal, but not so much against other plastics. You probably have a UHMW cutting board in your kitchen right now. I have to use a grip pad under my cutting board, otherwise it'll slide all over the place.
A clay-like polymer will be forced into, through and out of the tube. I may even be able to lubricate the tube, in case a non-stick coating is not possible. Wood and bamboo cutting boards only.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: BRZED
I I could roll up this teflon sheet, but how do I make it stick to the inside of the tube? Can't glue it.
McMaster Carr sells "etched" teflon sheet. The acid etching allows it to be glued effectively for many aviation applications (such as rub strips for flight controls) . Epoxy or contact cement will work. Just don't expect an ultra robust bond.
I require a very strong bond. Interesting material, though!
Originally Posted By: BRZED
I I could roll up this teflon sheet, but how do I make it stick to the inside of the tube? Can't glue it.
McMaster Carr sells "etched" teflon sheet. The acid etching allows it to be glued effectively for many aviation applications (such as rub strips for flight controls) . Epoxy or contact cement will work. Just don't expect an ultra robust bond.
I require a very strong bond. Interesting material, though!
Originally Posted By: tcp71
Maybe a teflon tube:
teflon shapes from McMaster
They have 5/16" inside diameter in a 7/16" or 1/2" outside diameter in lengths from 1 to 6 ft. If you match the outside diameter of the teflon to the inside diameter of a steel pipe you could slide the teflon inside the steel pipe for rigidity.
Watcha makin?
Funny, I just ordered a bunch of things from MacMaster-Carr. I didn't think they'd had teflon tubing. That may be the best option. I want to force a polymer through the tube to produce a cylindrical shape of polymer of equal thickness. Basically, I want to produce a "plug" with a 5/16" diameter, one inch or longer.
Maybe a teflon tube:
teflon shapes from McMaster
They have 5/16" inside diameter in a 7/16" or 1/2" outside diameter in lengths from 1 to 6 ft. If you match the outside diameter of the teflon to the inside diameter of a steel pipe you could slide the teflon inside the steel pipe for rigidity.
Watcha makin?
Funny, I just ordered a bunch of things from MacMaster-Carr. I didn't think they'd had teflon tubing. That may be the best option. I want to force a polymer through the tube to produce a cylindrical shape of polymer of equal thickness. Basically, I want to produce a "plug" with a 5/16" diameter, one inch or longer.
How to drill delrin and similar synthetics properly? Professor Google tells me to to cool the delrin with WD-40 and drill at low (a couple hundred RPM) by pecking rather than in one go. I require a glass-smooth bore. Can't find any infor on what type drill bit works best. I know there are drill bits for plastic. Professor Google suggests to drill undersized and to use a boring bar for final sizing and to achieve a good finish.
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