6 Darn Good Reasons to Coat your Lead Screw with PTFE

If you&#;re an engineer, you already know about how important lubrication is to the long-term performance and reliability of lead screw assemblies. Lubrication repels water, provides corrosion resistance, and lowers the coefficient of friction. A reduced coefficient of friction leads to a smoother running lead screw assembly, lower drag torque, and less heat generation which in turn generally means a longer design life. Conversely, an absence of lubrication potentially leads to erratic drag torques and unpredictable wear that can cause an assembly to fail.

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One type of lubrication that we're pleased to offer on all Helix lead screws is PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). Specifically, we offer lead screws that are coated in the fluoropolymer material. PTFE molecules are long chains of carbon atoms surrounded by fluorine atoms. Fluorine atoms have a high electronegativity, which means that the fluorine atoms do not like to be near any other atoms so the other atoms are repelled. This property is what makes a PTFE coated surface non-reactive, non-stick, and have a low coefficient of friction.

Helix PTFE coating is a tough and durable form of dry lubrication for screw assemblies making them ideal for applications in the medical, semiconductor and electronics industries, although any application can benefit from the reduced friction and corrosion resistance provided by PTFE coating.

Here's a look at the top 5 benefits of coating your acme lead screw with PTFE:

1. Increases Life:  Adding a PTFE coating to your lead screw will reduce  wear on the lead screw nut substantially and increases the life of the nut by 2-4X.  PTFE coatings are not all created equal. The most durable and cleanest PTFE coatings are solvent based and can also be used in vacuum rated applications and clean rooms because they are non-outgassing and generate minimal particulaton.
2. Low Coefficient of Friction: By their very nature, lead screw assemblies involve friction. But PTFE-coated lead screws are rated a favorable 0.15 Static when it comes to coefficient of friction, which helps extend lead screw assembly and product life. Acme lead screws are increasingly becoming the norm for product developers and engineers due to their increased efficiency over competing technologies, such as ball screws. Coating screws with PTFE only helps to reduce this level of friction and increase efficiency.
   
   
3. Non-Stick Surface: You have probably heard of PTFE being used on pots and pans. Why? Because it&#;s non-stick properties reduce the need for fats and oils in food preparation. Many industries, such as, medical device manufacturing, also benefit from a reduction/elimination of traditional oils and greases. PTFE is a dry lubricant that is non-reactive and perfect for medical and other chemically sensitive applications. This helps reduce friction, wear and tear, and energy consumption. What's more is that these non-stick properties make lead screw assemblies easy to clean and maintain.
   
   
4. Heat Resistant: Another benefit of PTFE is its temperature resistance. Helix-brand PTFE can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit - meaning that it's an ideal application for extreme heat applications.
   
   
5. Chemical Resistant: PTFE-coated screws are deemed to have "excellent" chemical resistant properties, making them ideal for use in applications where chemical reactions often occur.
   
   
6. Durability: We noted this earlier, but the "toughness" of PTTE is worth noting again. Abrasion resistance of PTFE is rated "excellent." These tough, durable properties are largely due to the combination of the PTFE coating with other appropriate resins to form the dry screw lubrication on the assemblies. The film components solidify during the curing process, which retains the fluoropolymer properties (i.e. non-stick). This all adds up to increased efficiency in lead screw assemblies.

While we've covered the top 6 benefits of PTFE coatings above, there are several other details that are worth noting.  Helix Linear Technologies applies PTFE coating to screw assemblies in-house.  This means we control the process, the quality, and keep the cost down.  We typically apply a coating thickness of 0.6 to 0.8 mil. The PTFE is cured by baking at over 600°F. PTFE coatings are available on all acme lead screws here at Helix.

Vertical and horizontal movements may be produced by lead screws. When support is required to move heavier objects, lead screws can use linear glides. Depending on the task, lead screws can be mortised or operated manually. Lead screws are more affordable than ball screws in low-power and moderate to medium-duty applications.

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Types of Lead Screws

Square Thread

The square geometry of square threads inspired their name. The flanks of the square thread's square-shaped threads are parallel to the lead screw's axis. Since square threads have a 0° thread angle, no radial or bursting pressure is exerted on the nut. This 0° thread angle eliminates all radial strain on the parts, lessens friction between them, and promotes motion. The following layout also suggests that this particular lead screw provides maximum efficiency. Due to this, square thread lead screws offer larger load-bearing capacities for the same dimensions or need smaller motors to transfer the same amount of weight.

Square threads are frequently employed in heavy load, motion transfer, and power transmission applications. Additionally, they are desired in goods that must be small while meeting their functional specifications. For example, Jackscrews and lathe equipment typically use square threads. Since the crest and root of their teeth are similar, their load capacity is also lowered. They are frequently employed in situations that require more power. Square threads also have a substantially greater intrinsic efficiency and a longer lifespan than trapezoidal threads. The biggest drawback of square threaded lead screws is how challenging it is to machine such a thread. For fabrication, they typically need a single-point cutting tool.

Acme Thread

The trapezoid-shaped acme thread has a thread angle of 29°. Compared to square threads, these are easier to produce. However, they are less effective than square threads due to the additional friction the thread angle causes. In addition, due to their trapezoidal thread profile, which offers increased load-bearing capabilities, Acme threads are often stronger than straight threads.

Acme threads may be produced using a multi-point cutting tool more easily than square threads because of their inclined flanks. Acme threads are frequently used in linear actuators, lathe machines, clamps, valve stems, and bench vices. General purpose, centralizing, and stub acme threads are the three different types of acme threads.

Buttress Thread

Buttress threads take a triangular form. These are employed when the screw's load force is only applied in one direction. This thread's accuracy allows for creating subtle, precise movements in a single direction. The buttress thread is made to carry power and withstand heavy axial loads. They are unidirectional; therefore, the direction is determined by how the weight-bearing and trailing flanks are positioned. Due to the buttress thread's wider base and teeth, this screw has about twice the shear strength of a square thread.

Buttress threads are produced more easily and are just as effective as square threads. Large screw presses, jacks, vertical lifts, and turning and milling equipment require buttress threads. However, buttress threads perform poorly when axial stress is applied in the opposite direction and are only suitable for unidirectional thread applications.

Applications of Lead Screws

• Fluid-handling equipment uses lead screws because they result in tight fittings with minimal leakage.
• Due to their strength, lead screws are employed for heavy lifting; lead screws must use a metallic nut for this application.
• Lead screws are frequently employed in instrument-grade applications where smooth, accurate, tidy, and maintenance-free functioning is essential.
• Lead screws are utilized in linear actuators because they can create linear transmissions.
• Machine slides (such as those found in machine tools), vices, presses, and jacks all use lead screws.

Benefits of Lead Screws

• Machine tool applications require highly exact measurements, which low-pitch lead screws may provide.
• Lead screws are effective in vertical situations.
• Some lead screws have self-locking capabilities and don't need braking mechanisms. Self-locking is a characteristic that stops the screw shaft and nut from moving without using outside force.
• Since lead screws have fewer pieces, they are more compact.
• Lead screws run quietly.
• Lead screws don't need to be lubricated externally because they have a self-lubricating covering.

Choosing the Proper Lead Screws Manufacturer

To make sure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing Lead Screws from a Lead Screws Manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 5 Suppliers using our list of Lead Screws companies. Each Lead Screws Manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Lead Screws business website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Lead Screws companies with the same form.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Lead Screw And Nut Assembly Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.