Glossary
A glossary of some common terms used in our industry.
A
Abrasion Resistance
Resistance of a surface to mechanical stress.
Anti-microbial
The ability of the coating to kill microbes. See SafeCoat 600 series.
Anti-static coating
Usually more accurate to say "static dissipative". This is where the coating allows electrical charges such as static to run across its surface to an earthing point. Achieved by the addition of carbon or metal particles.
A process to apply metals where the chosen metal is projected onto the substrate causing it to stick.
B
BfR
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (formerly BGA) German consumer health protection agency.
Bead blasting is a technique whereby fine glass beads (on their own or mixed with other non-abrasive media) are directed under high pressure at a substrate to remove surface deposits without damaging the surface. Another use is for stress relieving the component.
C
Resistant to chemical or solvent attack, thus giving the substrate protection against chemicals or solvents that would ordinarily attack the substrate.
Conductive coating
Usually more accurate to say "static dissipative". This is where the coating allows electrical charges such as static to run across its surface to an earthing point. Achieved by the addition of carbon or metal particles.
Tends to be used interchangeably with chemical resistance but is specific to preventing corrosion of the substrate.
E
ETFE
Ethylene TriFluoroEthylene. A chemical resistant fluoropolymer. Impreglon UK uses the Tefzel® brand.
ECTFE
EthyleneChloroTriFluoroEthylene. A chemical resistant fluoropolymer with excellent electrical insulation and impact properties. Impreglon UK uses the Halar® brand.
EC 1935/2004
European Union regulation that covers food contact safe coatings for use within the European Union. Regulations 80/590 EWG and 89/109 EWG have been cancelled.
F
FDA
Food and Drug Administration (USA). This American authority does not provide any regulation for direct food contact of fluoropolymer coated parts for Europe. FDA compliance is used though as shorthand for a coating being food contact safe.
FEP
FluoroEthylenePropylene. A melt-processable thermoplastic fluoropolymer with limited temperature resistance. Generally very good for food non-stick.
A process whereby metals or ceramics are sprayed onto the substrate in such a way as to give a porous structure, thus allowing a subsequent polymer top coat to soak into it.
A polymer that contains a Fluorine atom - the F in PTFE for example.
Food contact safe
See EC 1935/2004.
G
The trade name of Weilburger fluoropolymer coatings.
Blasting
The process whereby an abrasive media is directed onto a substrate to clean up the surface and create a roughness profile ready to accept a coating.
H
A trade name for ECTFE.
Holiday Test or Detector
Also known as a spark test, this device checks for pinholes in chemical / corrosion resistant coatings by use of a high voltage low current circuit. If there is a pinhole the circuit is completed and the device notifies the user.
L
The property of the coating that reduces the coefficient of friction between the coated substrate and the product running over it. Not the same as non stick as it is possible to have a high friction coating with specific non stick properties - for example, PlasmaCoat 40511/4001F.
N
Non stick
No or minimal wetting of a surface by oil, fat or water containing material. This prevents the sticking of product during its processing.
P
PFA
PerFluoroAlkoxy. A melt-processable thermoplastic fluoropolymer with generally very good corrosion resistance. Some have excellent non-stick properties.
PFOA
PerFluoroOctanoicAcid. Emulsifier for the polymerisation of fluoropolymers that persist in the environment. Impreglon applied coatings are free from any PFOA.
Plasma Coating
Metal or Ceramic base layer applied often as part of a hard wearing coating system.
PTFE
PolyTetraFluoroEthylene. The "original" fluoropolymer coating with generally excellent non-stick and temperature stability.
S
Spark test
More properly known as a Holiday Test, this device checks for pinholes in chemical / corrosion resistant coatings by use of a high voltage low current circuit. If there is a pinhole the circuit is completed and the device notifies the user.
T
The trade name of DuPont fluoropolymer coatings.
Tefzel
The DuPont trade name for their ETFE.
The family name for the spray application of metals and ceramics.
X
The trade name of Whitford Plastics fluoropolymer coatings.
For more information please complete our online form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
