new gasket idea? PTFE hose??

[BCJ67CHEVY]

So PTFE is supposed to be safe for stills, so why not use PTFE hose to make a gasket?? One thing im not sure about though is if it is soft and flexible or more of a hard plastic type line.

For us guys using a stock pot, you could cut one side length wise and put it over the top pot lip, even multiple layers. Or leave as a hose and it would make a springy gasket and would even give some tension to the seal (if the hose is flexible).

Found this on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-Inch-OD-PTF ... 43ba385a92" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Anybody ever used this stuff before?

[ga flatwoods]

I know a guy....
works fine cut like you say depending on application of course. Where ends meet is a little tricky sometimes. So say he...

[BCJ67CHEVY]

is it flexible and soft or more like a hard plastic line??

[ga flatwoods]

Flexible. Unlike hdpe. More like vinyl.

[BCJ67CHEVY]

Sweet thanks. I will have to give it a try.. Now if there was just a safe adhesive to use and I would glue it to the lid, but I don't think there is such a thing.
thanks

[Hound Dog]

I bought some soft PTFE gasket material to make sight glass gaskets. Hopefully I will be able to test them out in the next few weeks.

[Stainless]

Hi, I;m not sure and don't know about the ptfe hose/tube stuff you mention, but if you need glue for it then I think you would not have to go any further than flour paste.
Ther's loads of info here on flour paste on site
hth
cheers
Stainless

[BCJ67CHEVY]

flour paste works sure. But was looking for something different. A no mess solution wouldn't hurt my feelings. As far as the adhesive, that was more to make it a semi permanent gasket solution. obviously there isn't a adhesive that will work, so it will just let it set loose on there.
thanks

[heartcut]

PTFE and PFA will heat fuse. PTFE will even heat form. You could heat weld 2 freshly cut ends together, maybe by setting it on the pot rim and using a heat gun? It takes about 350degC to weld it and it will bulge a little by the joint, but nothing that a razor can't handle.

[JBR]

PTFE and PFA will heat fuse. PTFE will even heat form. You could heat weld 2 freshly cut ends together, maybe by setting it on the pot rim and using a heat gun? It takes about 350degC to weld it and it will bulge a little by the joint, but nothing that a razor can't handle.

I did this with pfa then wrapped the whole thing with Teflon tape. Works perfect. Ptfe does not melt together or weld must be formed and sintered. Eptfe can be welded.

Be careful melting any of them it gives off floride gas and will make you extremely sick flu like!! Good ventilation required!

[BCJ67CHEVY]

Thanks guys, sounds like several of you guys are doing this, which makes me feel better..
If the PFA will melt, I wonder if I kept the PTFE hose solid (no cuts length wise) and sleeved the inside with a short piece of PFA and then heated the joint. Would the PFA bond to the inside of the PTFE?? Then I could get a springy gasket that would hopefully seal to surfaces that aren't perfect..
Thanks

[JBR]

Pretty much nothing bonds to ptfe even double sided tape barely does. I put a length of ptfe rod inside the pfa to align the joint. Before I melted it together.

Most likely the tubing that you are looking at is pfa which is considered Teflon and is bendable. Ptfe tubing I only used a few times and is very ridged

[BCJ67CHEVY]

Thanks JBR.
So the PTFE isn't very flexible or soft?? Maybe then I'll do what you did with the PFA and wrap it with PTFE tape..
Does the PFA distort or expand very much when it is heated to boiler temp, lets say 200+ deg F?? Trying to figure out whether to make it the actual size or whether to slightly undersize..
thanks

[JBR]

Not sure as my lid and kettle are flat faced. But it did flatten out big time once it was heated. In my large kettle I actually use a tefoseal and that shrinks ever time I use it. I stretch it to fit everytime

[BCJ67CHEVY]

What is tefoseal? I tried doing a internet search and didn't come up with anything?
If it changes that much I might have to slit lengthwise and lip over the edge instead of a solid circle gasket..
I guess it is time to do some experiments..

[JBR]

Look up fep/pfa encapsulated oring McMaster Carr has them

[BCJ67CHEVY]

thanks, a little pricy for one 18" diameter, but not a bad idea. Could even be wrapped in the ptfe tape for extra security.

[cob]

parker is the mfg. of that tube search parker ptfe. their customer service states the product is pure virgin PTFE, and the mfg. process promotes flexabilite.

PFA and FEP are not PTFE, note the drastic difference in the molecules.

PFA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluoroalkoxy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

FEP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorinate ... _propylene" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

PTFE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[BCJ67CHEVY]

Thanks cob for the info. Looks like I have some more reading to do...

[cob]

Thanks cob for the info. Looks like I have some more reading to do...

mcmaster carr is one of their us venders , more trustworthy than fleabay. but if the product is truly parker PTFE tube it's good.

when i first read your post i thought bs. because PTFE just don't bend. new one on me, research before foot, hate the tast of foot.