Simulation of PTFE Billet Sintering using COMSOL

A. Roday, and P. Nicosia
Garlock Sealing Technologies
Palmyra, NY
Published in 2011

Sintering is an important step in the manufacturing of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) billets. The challenge in heating large billets stems from the inherent low thermal conductivity of PTFE. Existing literature suggests determining maximum heating rate experimentally using recommended guidelines.

This paper uses COMSOL to aid in optimizing the temperature profile required for a particular sintering process in a convection batch oven. Results have been obtained that predict the temperature of the center of the billet for different air-flow scenarios. Results are compared with the ideal case when the surface of the billet is instantaneously brought to the air temperature.