Fluoropolymer micropowder

The thermo/radiation degraded PTFE-micropowders are mostly used as additives to plastics, inks, oils, lubricants, and coatings to import fluoropolymer-like properties such as reduced wear rates and friction. 

In some cases, used perfluorinated fluoropolymers (e.g., PTFE, PFA) are recycled by special cleaning processes and are ending up in the Repro-PTFE or micropowder-PTFE-market. Perfluorinated thermoplasts (e.g., PFA) are reused in applications where the quality requirements (e.g., lot traceability) are much lower. Overall, the lion s share of used fluoropolymers is, however, ending up in landfills, in incineration plants, or in blast furnaces. Communal waste incinerators can tolerate only very limited amounts of fluoropolymers due to the high corrosion due to hydrofluoric acid formed in the process. 

External release agents are lubricants, liquids or powders, which coat a mold cavity to facilitate part removal. Internal release agents can accomplish the same purpose. The identity of release agents is rarely disclosed, but frequently they are fine fluoropolymer powders, called micropowders, silicone resins, or waxes. 

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