Breakout
torque is the force required to loosen a securely tightened—and corroded—nut or
bolt. If threads are sufficiently corroded, that torque might be two or three
times the tightening torque.
Breakout
torque is important because service costs in the Oil & Gas industry can
rise when equipment and hardware seize up from excessive corrosion. Servicing
engineers often have to use a torch to loosen or remove nuts. When coated with
Teflon™, those same nuts and bolts can maintain consistently low breakout
torque for many years, or even decades.
Lubricity
refers to the functionality of a smooth, dry surface. Teflon is said to have
lubricity because it provides low friction resistance with a dry coating.
Lubricity is a function—or characteristic—of a surface’s low coefficient of
friction. Friction is the force that hinders motion when two objects rub
together. The coefficient of friction with Teflon coatings is generally in the
range of 0.05 to 0.20, depending on the load, sliding speed, and type of
Teflon.
Lubricity
is very important in any application that has moving parts touching each other
and reapplying oil or grease is not easy. For example, in the automotive and
aerospace industries, springs, clamps, and clips are coated with Teflon
coatings to avoid wearing down the part and to reduce squeaking.
Generally
speaking, Teflon PTFE coatings have the lowest coefficient of friction—or
highest lubricity. For fasteners, lubricity means that the surface retains a
certain release capability, even at high torque under harsh conditions. Many
industries look for long-term fastener protection while having uniform lubricity
and breakout torque release that also lasts a long time.
Teflon
PTFE coating systems are versatile coatings for carbon steel, stainless steel,
and aluminum. There are thin and thick film build options, and the strictly
water-based formula allows for easy clean-up.
Color-coding
of fasteners is also important in utilities such as waterworks to identify the
function of the pipe, for instance, that requires servicing. Teflon ideal for
fasteners is available in blue, red, yellow, and black in the PTFE 857G product
line.
