Rulon (Filled PTFE)

SSP Seals offer a complete range of Rulon grades to our clients. Each grade can meet specific plastic material needs for our client's industrial applications. Rulon is the name of a group of PTFE compounds. It is widely used in manufacturing industries for the creation of tier 3 components. The Rulon family of PTFE plastics is produced by Saint Gobain Performance Plastics.

The material is well-known for its industrial applications due to its solution driven features:

  • High strength
  • Low friction coefficient
  • Chemical torpidity
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Protection from corrosion
  • Non-lubricated operation

It is designed for applications that comprise extreme temperatures. Rulon works extremely well in temperatures ranging from -240°C to 260°C. A few popular applications where the material is used include rings, seals, bearings, pistons, and electrical insulation.

Rulon Grades / Specifications

There are various types of Rulon materials that are used in various industries. Some of the more popular types are mentioned below.

Rulon LR

This type is the most popular among Rulon grades, and it is used by numerous industries. It is known for providing high resistance against wear and tear. It is also known for its good electrical properties, chemical torpidity, and low friction co-efficient. The material's formulation allows it to be bonded to different types of surfaces. Its formulation also make it maroon in color, which makes it easily recognizable.

Rulon J

This fluoropolymer type is ideal for bonding on soft surfaces and for protection against abrasions. Type J Rulon has the lowest friction coefficient in comparison to the other types. For this reason, this grade is considered as a complete plastic by manufacturers and customers. Rulon J is a versatile application material. Applications involving plastic as well as various types of metals can benefit by using this material. Some of the common application materials that are compatible with Type J are brass and 316 stainless steel. This type is differentiated by its color, which is dull gold.

Rulon 641

This plastic material is compliant with the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration. It is designed to provide solutions for the food and beverage industry amongst others. It can run dry without the need of any external lubrication, and is a popular alternative to other materials such as UHMWPE and pure PTFE. Besides industrial bearings and seals, Rulon 641 can also be used in applications such as agricultural components, food and beverage conveyor and handling systems, and medical as well as pharmaceutical products. It is also extremely useful in industries such as appliance manufacturing, semiconductor processing, automotive, and transportation. Rulon 6741 is differentiated by its white color.

Rulon AR

This particular grade is the upgraded version of the original Rulon material, which was first introduced in 1952. The material is designed for applications that do not require lubrication. Rulon AR is known for its high chemical inertness, and provides years of reliable service. It has higher flexibility than Rulon LR, which makes it a suitable option for seals and sliding surfaces. It is extremely well-known for applications in industries such as chemical, mechanical, and electrical. Some of the popular industrial applications include fuel pump cups and automotive shaft seals. It is differentiated by the color maroon.

Rulon 142

Rulon 142 is perhaps the most ideal material for machine tool applications. It is a low deformation and linear bearing material, which consists of outstanding vibration resistance, immense mechanical strength, and strong dimensional stability. These features provide various application benefits such as consistent friction, elimination of sticking or slipping, and high thermal dissipation. Bearing misalignment in an application can also be prevented to a great extent by utilizing this Rulon grade. It is differentiated by its color, which is turquoise with a bronze tint.

Rulon 123

This is a chemical resistant and non-abrasive compound, which is differentiated by its glossy black color. Its beneficial features include self-lubrication design, low friction, exceptional thermal and electrostatic dissipation, and immense protection from deformation. Rulon 123 is FDA, USDA, and NSF compliant, and it can be designed as rods, tubes, sheets, tapes, or even custom designs. We generally recommend this material for applications with low to moderate speeds, where the plastic will be used against metals like stainless steel. Rulon 123 is an excellent choice for wet or underwater applications. This material should not be used for applications that consist of vacuums or extremely dry environments.


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SSP Manufacturing, Inc.

Phone: 1-908-852-3125     Email: gm@sspseals.com

Data Sheet for Rulon (Filled PTFE)

ASTM or UL test Property Rulon LR
(maroon)
Rulon J
(gold)
Rulon 641
(white)
Rulon AR
(maroon)
PHYSICAL
D792 Density (lb/in³)
(g/cm³)
0.082
2.27
0.070
1.95
0.081
2.25
0.081
2.24
D2240 Hardness, Shore D 60-75 60 60 60-75
D570 Water Absorption, 24 hrs (%) 0 0 0 0
MECHANICAL
D1457 Tensile Strength (psi) 1,500 2,000 2,000 2,000
D1457 Tensile Elongation at Yield (%) 150 180 175 175
D256 IZOD Notched Impact (ft-lb/in) 6.0 - - 6.0
THERMAL
D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion
(x 10-5 in./in./°F)
varies widely
with temperature
Cenco-Fitch Thermal Conductivity
(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F)
(x 10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C)

2.30
7.92

1.70
5.86

2.60
8.96

2.30
7.92
D635 Flammability (in/min) None None None None
ELECTRICAL
D149 Dielectric Strength (V/mil) short time, .08" thick 400-500 200 - 400-500
D150 Dielectric Constant at 1 MHz 2.5 2.4 - 2.5
D150 Dissipation Factor at 1 MHz 0.003 0.001 - 0.003
D257 Surface Resistivity (ohm-cm) at 50% RH 2 x 1013 6 x 1018 - 2 x 1013
D257 Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) at 50% RH 1 x 1015 8 x 1018 - 1 x 1015
RECOMMENDED OPERATING LIMITS
Maximum Load (psi) 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
Maximum Velocity with No Pressure (ft/min) 400 400 400 400
Maximum PV Rating (psi x ft/min) 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Maximum Operating Temp (°F / °C) 500 / 260 500 / 260 500 / 260 500 / 260
Minimum Operating Temp (°F / °C) -450 / -240 -450 / -240 -450 / -240 -450 / -240
Minimum Mating Surface Hardness (Rockwell) C35 B25 B25 C35

When PTFE is reinforced with other materials, it is known as Rulon. This material is resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and corrosion, to name a few. It is bonded with other materials to reduce the wear and tear of the material as well as to reduce friction. These outstanding properties allow Rulon seals to be used in applications with a wide temperature range, in a chemically active environment, and other demanding situations.
This material is FDA Approved (FDA CFR 21-177.2600 Compliant)
FDA Approved Seals & Gaskets