Altneratives to Teflon Tape: What to Use Instead & When

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Alternatives to Teflon Tape

At United Silicone, we are often asked about alternatives to Teflon tape in the heat seal process. Luckily, we have some great options. To better understand why these choices are so compelling- we will take a look first at how Teflon tape is used in the heat seal process.

Teflon In The Heat Seal Process

To achieve highly repeatable seal integrity on heat seal lines it is essential to ensure that your silicone does not become “gummy” and stick to your lidding film. It is also important to ensure that no granular residue from your packaging line sticks to your lidding film. These are the most common reasons why heat seal line operators turn to Teflon tape or Teflon cloth.

What are Teflon tape and Teflon Cloth? Why are they used in heat seal processes?

So why is it that many heat seal lines turn to Teflon tape or Teflon cloth? They want to ensure critical heat seal components are protected and that nothing is sticking to their lidding films (which would endanger seal integrity).

Some silicone can become gummy or sticky when subjected to the high temperatures and pressure applied in the hot stamping process. Teflon tape keeps this stickiness from damaging the lidding field. Sometimes seals are compromised by very fine particles becoming stuck to the lidding film- again Teflon can help prevent this from happening. To ensure silicone doesn´t become gummy and that fine particles do not stick to lidding film-  heat seal line operators often wrap their silicone seal bars in either Teflon tape or Teflon cloth.

Drawbacks of Teflon Tape

Teflon tape has several significant disadvantages. The most important of these drawbacks relate to operator safety and downtime. It is not easy for line operators to change the Teflon tape or Teflon cloth applied to silicone seal bars. Devices can reach temperatures of over 300 degrees F. There is a significant burn risk for operators who must frequently handle such high temperature components. The safety gloves operators must wear in response to this burn risk makes unscrewing the seal bar screws, removing the worn Teflon tape or Teflon cloth, replacing it with new Teflon tape or Teflon cloth and then carefully re-screwing the small seal bar screws and tedious and time consuming task. On average this can take anywhere between 20-40 minutes. Since the Teflon tape must be replaced frequently, this tedious process must be repeated frequently.

Recommended Teflon Tape Replacements

Luckily- there is a better way. Even better news is that there are TWO better ways. The better, safer, more efficient way to ensure seal integrity is to use Engineered Silicone Formulations and in some instances- Teflon-Bonded Silicone.

Engineered Silicone Formulations

Engineered Silicone Formulations are specially designed to withstand the extreme heat and pressure required for heat sealing – WITHOUT becoming gummy or sticky. United Silicone´s silicone formulations are able to withstand the high pressure required for seal integrity and are heat tolerant up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. For 90% of cases- Engineered Silicone Formulations are all that are needed for hassle-free, non-stick heat seal performance.

What about the remaining 10% of cases?

Particularly when packaging granular products where small particles may compromise seal integrity and stick to sealing films, Teflon can help. Teflon-bonded silicone is a new and improved alternative to Teflon tape. Teflon-bonded silicone seal bars can inserted and changed in a fraction of the time required for Teflon tape changeovers.