How to Ultrasonically Weld PTFE Protection Vents

Wick Solution Vent Roller Roller Filter Scrim Membrane Diffuse Protection vents made from vents made from Protection stronger, PTFE are sintered support, and require don’t can withstand automated – including assembly process ultrasonic welding. Apply At Stake Absorb Durability you easy to wrinkle and the more Think of ePTFE like a tissue. It’s likely it is to get damaged. When ePTFE is made, it’s handle it, the more While pores. that produce microfractures to create stretched repeatedly makes it frail. material, it also makes ePTFE a breathable this process in the can see and feel the difference You PTFE is stronger. Sintered PTFE is not easily damaged when handled. When sintered material. It’s a fused together to create instead particles are stretched, made, it isn’t structure. yet strong porous Support delicate Because of ePTFE’s additional it requires structure, during the protection device assembly process. often laminateManufacturers ePTFE to a fabric scrim, coat it, or use injection molded damage.housings to prevent PTFE is the opposite.Sintered it strength, With its engineered any support. As a require doesn’t PTFE can sintered vents made from result,protection be attached easily to device without damage. the electronic The ability for manufacturers to The ability for manufacturers move to automated assembly vents for protection processes is limited by the usage of ePTFE as the primary material. Expanded PTFE (ePTFE)

Challenge

Electronic devices need Electronic vents, but the protection traditional expanded PTFE (ePTFE) material is delicate and struggles to handle the rigors of automated assembly that would save processes time and money. manufacturers

Sintered PTFE

What types of PTFE exist? What types of PTFE PTFE and expanded PTFE PTFE - sintered two kinds of porous are There a look at their differences: (ePTFE). Here’s

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a well-known polymer that creates (PTFE) is a well-known polymer that creates Polytetrafluoroethylene and chemical environmental, a material with excellent temperature, vents on electronic PTFE is widely used in protection Porous resistance. entering the enclosure, from devices because it can keep liquid and dust internal and prevent pressure while allowing enough air flow to equalize electronics. damage and contamination of the enclosed What is PTFE?

PTFE Protection Vents PTFE Protection How to Ultrasonically Weld Weld to Ultrasonically How technical brief technical • Heat is generated by the ultrasonic vibration of the stamp (horn). The temperature generated by the stamp needs to be slightly higher than the melting temperature of the base substrate. Dwell time and pressure should allow the melted substrate enough time to create a mechanical bond that attaches the vent.

Die-cut disc Slit Roll ULTRASONIC WELDING Ease of assembly Sonotrode & horn Because of the variation in durability, the two materials are quite different when it comes to the available assembly options.

Even with the scrim as support, it can be difficult to use ePTFE in Porous PTFE more demanding assembly processes like ultrasonic welding. As the Plastic materials supporting layer is applied to one side, operators need to ensure that the Anvil orientation of the material is correct, meaning a more manual and time intensive process. The scrim can also delaminate, which can cause the • Note that the material to which sintered PTFE is bonded should have device to malfunction. good flow properties and lower than 260°C melting temperature for Sintered PTFE, on the other hand, doesn’t require the supporting layer, optimum success. so the assembly is streamlined (including ultrasonic welding). How to get started ALIGNING CUTTING POSITIONING with sintered PTFE (AND WELDING) Die-cutting stamp protection vents

If you’re ready to upgrade to a more durable, assembly friendly, sintered PTFE protection vents, try POREX Virtek™ protection vents. As a Membrane global leader in porous polymers, Porex’s engineers have been helping manufacturers increase performance and decrease assembly time and

Enclosure costs for decades in diverse global industries.

TOP 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE How ultrasonic welding SINTERED PTFE works with sintered PTFE • Ultrasonic welding is possible • Manufacturing process is streamlined Let’s illustrate how protection vents made out of sintered PTFE can be ultrasonically welded: • No supportive layer required

• Less risk of material damage and scrap • Sintered PTFE is introduced into the assembly process either as an already die-cut disc or a slit roll format where it is cut prior to or during • Reduced risk of product failure the welding process.

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