Is Xylan the same as Teflon?

2023-09-14T10:25:53+00:00

Xylan and Teflon are both brand names for fluoropolymer coatings, but they are manufactured and marketed by different companies with differences in their formulations and applications.

Now, being “Teflon-coated” isn’t always a positive thing – an accusation often thrown at particularly resilient politicians - but when DuPont’s Roy Plunkett accidentally discovered the first fluoropolymer in 1938, no one realised the impact it would have on many industries.

Reputable brands

Xylan is a range of fluoropolymer coatings owned by Whitford Worldwide Company, while Teflon is a brand owned by Chemours, a chemical manufacturer spun out of DuPont in 2015.

Both companies produce a wide range of fluoropolymer coatings, each with their unique formulations and properties. And both have established themselves as reputable brands in the coating industry.

However, due to the popularity and extensive marketing of Teflon in cookware and bakeware, the name “Teflon” is often used colloquially to refer to any nonstick coating, even if it is not actually made by Chemours.

Xylan was the first product created by coatings manufacturer and supplier Whitford Worldwide in 1969 (which was acquired by PPG in 2019) and more specifically it was the “1010” part of their product range on which the business was built.

The product was initially designed to provide a tough, very low-friction film that could withstand the constant wiping of a rubber seal, yet be capable of being cured at low temperatures to avoid distorting or blistering aluminium.

Applications

There are several variations of Xylan. The one that’s right for you will depend on your industry, the products and components you work with, and the environments in which they are designed to operate.

Xylan 1000 Series – Best suited to sliding mechanisms, bearings, large fasteners, power screws, valves, machine parts, and pistons
Xylan 1400 Series – Typical applications include large fasteners and automotive components.
Xylan 1500 Series – Protective and decorative enamels available in virtually any color.
Xylan 8000 Series – Utilizing materials approved by the FDA for use in the food and beverage industries.
Xylan PFA Plus – Most commonly used for plastic and urethane molds, bakery products, and chemical storage tanks.

At Nexus, we’re accredited to both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 for quality and environmental. Our highly-trained team includes approved NORSOK technicians and AMPP/NACE-certified inspectors.

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