Bellow applications
Acoplastic has a long history in supplying bellows for different industries and applications. It takes a lot of experience and knowledge to decide on the right design and manufacturing process to get the optimal flexibility and durability for different bellow designs. Acoplastic holds this experience and knowledge.
What is Bellow Applications?
Bellows are flexible, accordion-like components that can expand, contract, or flex. When made of PTFE, they inherit its key properties of chemical resistance, non-stick properties with a wide temperature tolerance.
PTFE Bellows vs. other bellow materials: Which One Should You Choose?
Bellows are used in industries where the accordion-like property is needed for e.g. absorbing vibration, protect moving parts and or compensate for misalignment. But what is the right material for the application. A popular material is PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) but also other materials are used for these applications. However, if you have an application in a harsh chemical environment, needs to be cleaning friendly (no-stick surface), needs to operate in high or low temperatures PTFE stands out as an excellent choice. Let’s take a closer look at why.
Why PTFE Bellows Are Special
PTFE (also recognized by the name Teflon®) brings a unique set of advantages. Its biggest strength is chemical resistance – it can handle nearly all acids, bases, solvents, and corrosive gases without breaking down. Compare that with rubber, which can swell or dissolve in solvents, or metals, which corrode in strong acids, and you start to see the appeal. Temperature is another win for PTFE. PTFE bellows work reliably from around –40 °C up to +250 °C. PTFE also has a naturally non-stick, low-friction surface. Liquids and particles don’t cling to the surface, which means less risk of contamination and easier to clean – a huge advantage in e.g. the pharmaceutical and food industries. Add to that to a design which allows PTFE to act as a flexibility and the possibility to meet compliance requirements for contact with e.g., drinking water, food, and pharmaceuticals you’ve got a material that checks many boxes.
Choosing the Right Bellows
The decision ultimately comes down to the conditions of your application. If you’re handling harsh chemicals or working in food, pharma, or other demanding environments, PTFE bellows are often the safest bet. At Acoplastic we have the knowledge to guide you towards the best solution for your demands.
If you have any questions about bellow applications, need sparring or have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our selected case and learn how we helped creating a customized Bellow Application for a customer.