PTFE Valve packing rope
Moderator: Site Moderator
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
PTFE Valve packing rope
I want to use PTFE on all my equipment. I need to make a gasket and I have made a few (everlasting gaskets) using plumbers tape. I came across PTFE valve packing rope in 5/32 and I'm curious if anyone has used it. They sell it at homedepot and Lowes a company called Danco makes it. Thank you all, I appreciate all the people here on HD.
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
MementoMori wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 9:36 am I want to use PTFE on all my equipment. I need to make a gasket and I have made a few (everlasting gaskets) using plumbers tape. I came across PTFE valve packing rope in 5/32 and I'm curious if anyone has used it. They sell it at homedepot and Lowes a company called Danco makes it. Thank you all, I appreciate all the people here on HD.
This is a question and answer (from Danco) on the Home Depot web page:
Not understanding why the specs on this are different than Teflon (which is the trademarked name for PTFE). The temperature limits on Teflon tape or PTFE for instance, is over 500 degrees F. This shows 212 degrees F. The packaging label also says "FTE' not PTFE. Is this what accounts for the difference?
byGreg|Aug 9, 2020
1 Answer
A: Thank you for your interest Danco products. Our Danco 80793 Self-Forming Valve Packing is made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), or better known in the market as Teflon. The 80794 Self-Forming Valve Packing has graphite coating with PTFE. This enhances the flexibility (easier to form), strength, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance of the packing. The lower temperature range is due to the fact it is only coated with PTFE.
by
|Nov 22, 2021
________________
I drank fifty pounds of feed-store corn
'till my clothes were ratty and torn
I drank fifty pounds of feed-store corn
'till my clothes were ratty and torn
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Thank you Greg, I guess I missed that. I appreciate you taking the time to help me. I guess this is a no go product then. Best regards friend, cheersgreggn wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 9:55 amMementoMori wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 9:36 am I want to use PTFE on all my equipment. I need to make a gasket and I have made a few (everlasting gaskets) using plumbers tape. I came across PTFE valve packing rope in 5/32 and I'm curious if anyone has used it. They sell it at homedepot and Lowes a company called Danco makes it. Thank you all, I appreciate all the people here on HD.
This is a question and answer (from Danco) on the Home Depot web page:
Not understanding why the specs on this are different than Teflon (which is the trademarked name for PTFE). The temperature limits on Teflon tape or PTFE for instance, is over 500 degrees F. This shows 212 degrees F. The packaging label also says "FTE' not PTFE. Is this what accounts for the difference?
byGreg|Aug 9, 2020
1 Answer
A: Thank you for your interest Danco products. Our Danco 80793 Self-Forming Valve Packing is made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), or better known in the market as Teflon. The 80794 Self-Forming Valve Packing has graphite coating with PTFE. This enhances the flexibility (easier to form), strength, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance of the packing. The lower temperature range is due to the fact it is only coated with PTFE.
by
|Nov 22, 2021
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I was thinking of making my own PTFE seals for several different things. I see on McMaster Carr the have sheets of PTFE. I would trust that source.
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I found this helpful. It says extruded ptfe or ePTFE is the same as PTFE. https://adtech.co.uk/about/news/expanded-ptfe-vs-ptfe
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Thanks friend, I appreciate you.
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
PTFE is a very useful product, but there are some problems behind the scenes.
Just like asbestos or silicones it seems an ideal product.
But in the production of PTFE's a lot of very bad polution is distributed in water and air.
And the products can not be disposed of by burning or any other method. Even worse than the plastic soup.
Plastic, asbestos, silicones, PTFE.
Seem ideal to use, but are impossible to get rid of. Pose large problems, on second sight. The devil in disguise.
Just like asbestos or silicones it seems an ideal product.
But in the production of PTFE's a lot of very bad polution is distributed in water and air.
And the products can not be disposed of by burning or any other method. Even worse than the plastic soup.
Plastic, asbestos, silicones, PTFE.
Seem ideal to use, but are impossible to get rid of. Pose large problems, on second sight. The devil in disguise.
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
What do you use for your gaskets friend. Seems like everyone here uses ptfe.Kareltje wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:50 pm PTFE is a very useful product, but there are some problems behind the scenes.
Just like asbestos or silicones it seems an ideal product.
But in the production of PTFE's a lot of very bad polution is distributed in water and air.
And the products can not be disposed of by burning or any other method. Even worse than the plastic soup.
Plastic, asbestos, silicones, PTFE.
Seem ideal to use, but are impossible to get rid of. Pose large problems, on second sight. The devil in disguise.
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
PTFE is still the best solution I think... easy to find, inexpensive and safer than silicone. It's true that there's no good way to get rid of PTFE (aka Teflon) so just keep using them as long as they do their job... your grand-grand-grand...-children might be able to keep using them if you take good care of those gaskets.MementoMori wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:13 amWhat do you use for your gaskets friend. Seems like everyone here uses ptfe.Kareltje wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:50 pm PTFE is a very useful product, but there are some problems behind the scenes.
Just like asbestos or silicones it seems an ideal product.
But in the production of PTFE's a lot of very bad polution is distributed in water and air.
And the products can not be disposed of by burning or any other method. Even worse than the plastic soup.
Plastic, asbestos, silicones, PTFE.
Seem ideal to use, but are impossible to get rid of. Pose large problems, on second sight. The devil in disguise.
Chill'n Still'n ~ Distilling is a hobby where you don't want to blow off steam.
Useful links:
Don't forget the parent site... full of organized good info there
Newbie kickstart & Novice bump
Words words words
Help to pay the bills
Useful links:
Don't forget the parent site... full of organized good info there
Newbie kickstart & Novice bump
Words words words
Help to pay the bills
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I admit: I use PTFE. And silicones too.MementoMori wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:13 amWhat do you use for your gaskets friend. Seems like everyone here uses ptfe.Kareltje wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:50 pm PTFE is a very useful product, but there are some problems behind the scenes.
Just like asbestos or silicones it seems an ideal product.
But in the production of PTFE's a lot of very bad polution is distributed in water and air.
And the products can not be disposed of by burning or any other method. Even worse than the plastic soup.
Plastic, asbestos, silicones, PTFE.
Seem ideal to use, but are impossible to get rid of. Pose large problems, on second sight. The devil in disguise.
Large gaskets I make of corrugated cardboard, covered with PTFE-tape: everlasting gaskets.
Until I find something better: at some points maybe I do not even need a gasket!
For some things I did not yet found a solution, but I think awareness about the drawbacks is at least an impulse to find a better way. DDT, asbestos, freon etc. have been banned only after the awareness rose enough.
- squigglefunk
- Trainee
- Posts: 888
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:27 am
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
nearly all people in the United States have PFOA in their blood, thanks teflon
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Thank you my friends!
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
3 gallons collected after making my cuts. My gaskets are stainless washers with 3/4" yellow ptfe tape. I went thick on this so the compression will squeeze well. No leaks yet, fingers crossed.
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
- cranky
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 6512
- Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:18 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Have you considered copper crush washers?Kareltje wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:09 am I admit: I use PTFE. And silicones too.
Large gaskets I make of corrugated cardboard, covered with PTFE-tape: everlasting gaskets.
Until I find something better: at some points maybe I do not even need a gasket!
For some things I did not yet found a solution, but I think awareness about the drawbacks is at least an impulse to find a better way. DDT, asbestos, freon etc. have been banned only after the awareness rose enough.
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I do not know what "copper crush washers" are.cranky wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:33 pmHave you considered copper crush washers?Kareltje wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:09 am I admit: I use PTFE. And silicones too.
Large gaskets I make of corrugated cardboard, covered with PTFE-tape: everlasting gaskets.
Until I find something better: at some points maybe I do not even need a gasket!
For some things I did not yet found a solution, but I think awareness about the drawbacks is at least an impulse to find a better way. DDT, asbestos, freon etc. have been banned only after the awareness rose enough.
-
- Site Donor
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:05 pm
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I haven't considered them, I would need to find the right size. My picture above has a stainless spigot and my gaskets had a leak. I think I will age my spirits in a stainless beer keg until I get this gasket situation sorted out.cranky wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:33 pmHave you considered copper crush washers?Kareltje wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:09 am I admit: I use PTFE. And silicones too.
Large gaskets I make of corrugated cardboard, covered with PTFE-tape: everlasting gaskets.
Until I find something better: at some points maybe I do not even need a gasket!
For some things I did not yet found a solution, but I think awareness about the drawbacks is at least an impulse to find a better way. DDT, asbestos, freon etc. have been banned only after the awareness rose enough.
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness". Aristotle
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Does anybody have experience with copper crush washers for tri-clamp fittings? Asking for a friend.
-- Rrmuf
-
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:38 pm
- Location: little puffs of dust where my feet used to be
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
I use them on high pressure hydraulics (1500+ psi). None on the stills.
Easy to make from copper sheet. cut out the correct size anneal and try.
I honestly doubt a tri-clamp will exert enough force to crush properly,
but you can always wrap with PTFE. light tapping vertically may cause
the proper deformation, but the entire joint may need to be clocked to
seal the next time.
be water my friend
- cranky
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 6512
- Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:18 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
An annealed piece of copper isn't really a crush washer, at least not the kind I'm talking about, it's really just a copper gasket. What I mean when I say crush washer is more of a gasket made out of a hollow copper tube.
That defeats the point of the crush washer, it's just making an ever lasting gasket out of copper instead of cardboard...which is what I use but the point of the crush washer is to not have to use PTFE.
I use crush washers and gaskets at work frequently. On the big (up to 8") pneumatic fittings with tri-clamps we use what's probably better described as a metal o-ring, usually stainless steel due to high heat. They are basically U shaped rather than a closed tube, in the shape of a circle of course.
Of course those sort of things are one time use only so every time you take it apart you have to replace them which sucks.
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
The epfte rope out there can have a glue to hold it in place. It is easy remove with heads or any solvent.
Copper itself is a good gasket thinking of a flair fit. I've tried to make copper gaskets from thin sheet and it will seal, but it does take some pressure not a tri clamp but a real flange.
Copper itself is a good gasket thinking of a flair fit. I've tried to make copper gaskets from thin sheet and it will seal, but it does take some pressure not a tri clamp but a real flange.
-
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:38 pm
- Location: little puffs of dust where my feet used to be
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Cranky the ones that I buy are dead soft slightly cupped and 5-7/64" depending on the washer application.
If I were making a copper tri-clover gasket The copper ring would be placed between 2 TC ferrules
with a clamp and squeezed in my 100 ton press. re annealing as the copper work hardened 3-5 cycles.
even then I don't think the TC clamp has enough force to achieve a seal. my hydraulic fittings are fine
thread hard steel, and exert extreme clamping force.
If I were making a copper tri-clover gasket The copper ring would be placed between 2 TC ferrules
with a clamp and squeezed in my 100 ton press. re annealing as the copper work hardened 3-5 cycles.
even then I don't think the TC clamp has enough force to achieve a seal. my hydraulic fittings are fine
thread hard steel, and exert extreme clamping force.
be water my friend
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
Now I see what you mean. No, but at some points I used fine copper thread from normal electrical devices, curled up hard and then pressed together. Works quite well, when you can leave it in place. Maybe even better with some flour between it.
Re: PTFE Valve packing rope
... sounds like I should keep to my PTFE triclamp gaskets.
Thanks for all the elaborations.
Thanks for all the elaborations.
-- Rrmuf