Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a substance with a unique behavior in coatings applications. It is used in all types of coatings to modify total mechanical performance and improve values for scratch resistance and abrasion resistance, while simultaneously lowering surface friction. If PTFE is used as an additive for paints and coatings, it has only a minor influence on gloss values or other optical properties, and is suitable for food contact applications. The substance itself is chemically inert, temperature resistant, and has a higher density in comparison to other wax additives, such as carnauba wax or polyethylene wax. Thanks to the higher density of PTFE, the wax additives can orientate throughout the entire coating film, in contrast to a number of other wax additives that orientate to the paint surface and only interact within the interfaces between the coating and the air (Figure 1).
PTFE wax can be used on its own or in combination with other wax bases, such as polyethylene (PE) wax. When used in this manner, PTFE must have a very fine particle size and narrow particle size distributions. PTFE-based additives are typically delivered in a micronized form or as a dispersion type in organic solvents.1, 2