Understanding the benefits
Coatings are divided into two main categories: dielectric and lubricious. Dielectric coatings are usually used to provide electrical insulation, while lubricious coatings are primarily used for chemical separation and lubricity.
Dielectric coatings
- ETFE offers the greatest strength and abrasion resistance and has a continuous service temperature of 150 °C [302 °F].
- FEP is similar to PFA but is slightly less susceptible to water absorption than other fluoropolymers and has a lower service temperature of up to 200 °C [392 °F].
- Moldflon PTFE is a thermoplastic form of PTFE. It retains the properties of a pure PTFE, most importantly lubricity, and offers excellent thermal stability with a continuous service temperature of up to 260 °C [500 °F].
- PFA is similar to PTFE in chemical and physical behavior. It offers a higher service temperature than ETFE, at up to 260 °C [500 °F].
- Polyimide offers excellent dielectric strength as well as very good mechanical properties and chemical inertness. Unlike fluoropolymers, it is applied in multiple thin layers so it bonds directly to the substrate. PI has a high continuous service temperature of up to 240 °C [464 °F], with resistance to short exposures to 400 °C [752 °F] with minimal generation of volatiles.
Lubricious coatings
- DuraSkin™ coating offers gamma stable coating with some sensitivity to solvents. Tight control of coating thickness combined with a smooth surface makes DuraSkin™ a popular choice with customers for medical device components.
- LubriSkin™ coating offers a non-gamma stable coating with excellent chemical resistance. Coated prior to coiling, LubriSkin™ coating results in a consistently smooth, non-cracking or flaking coverage.
Typical end uses
Our customers use coated wires for a variety of applications, leveraging different properties to provide chemical separation, electrical insulation, or to reduce relative friction. Examples include:
- Cardiac rhythm management devices
- Catheter stylets
- Guidewire cores
- Mandrels
- Neurostimulation devices
- Vascular therapy devices
Design specifications
Our extruded coatings can be applied to round, stranded, cabled, and some shaped wires. Coatings may be applied to all alloys that Fort Wayne Metals has to offer, and are available in these colors: natural (clear), brown, gray, white, red, green, purple, yellow, orange, and black. Additional colors available upon request.
Size ranges
- Round wire sizes 0.0380 mm - 0.965 mm [0.0015 in - 0.038 in]
- Strands and cable sizes 0.0760 mm - 1.524 mm [0.0024 in - 0.060 in]
- Wall thickness 0.010 mm - 0.1270 mm [0.0002 in - 0.005 in]
Coating properties
You can use the following charts to determine which dielectric or lubricious coating offers the properties you need for your application. If you'd like to speak to an engineer about coating possibilities, please contact us.
Dielectric coatings
| Coating type | Specific gravity |
Tensile strength |
Coefficient of friction |
Dielectric strength | CTE @20 °C |
Water absorption % |
Service temp. in air (max) |
| ETFE |
1.70 |
41 MPa [6000 psi] |
0.3 | 71 kV/mm [1800 V/mil] |
90 µ/m/°C | <0.03 | 150 °C [302 °F] |
| PFA |
2.15 |
28 MPa [4000 psi] |
0.09 | 75 kV/mm [1905 V/mil] |
120 µ/m/°C | <0.03 | 260 °C [500 °F] |
|
FEP |
2.15 |
25 MPa |
0.05 |
62 kV/mm |
100 µ/m/°C |
0.005 |
200 °C |
| Moldflon PTFE |
2.17 |
36 MPa [5260 psi] |
0.05 | 60 kV/mm [1525 V/mil] |
130 µ/m/°C | 0.01 | 260 °C [500 °F] |
| PI |
1.42 |
138 MPa [20000 psi] |
0.17 | 192 kV/mm [4800 V/mil] |
40 µ/m/°C | 1.8 | 240 °C [464 °F] |
Lubricious coatings
| DuraSkin™ |
LubriSkin™ |
|
|
Coating thickness |
4 µm - 10 µm [0.00016 in - 0.00039 in] |
4 µm - 10 µm [0.00016 - 0.00039 in] |
|
Uncoated diameter |
0.15 mm - 0.965 mm [0.0059 in - 0.038 in] |
0.038 mm - 0.70 mm [0.0015 in - 0.0276 in] |
|
Colors |
Green, gray, blue*, black, white, clear | Green, other colors on request |
|
Primary uses |
Core wires; (PTCA) extrusion, mandrel wire |
Coiling wire, bonding mandrels, release mandrels |
|
Supplied |
Straightened and cut lengths Spooled |
Straightened and cut lengths Spooled |
|
Gamma stable |
Yes | No |
|
ETO sterilization |
Yes | Yes |
|
Biocompatibility |
For invasive techniques, excluding permanent human implants | For invasive techniques, excluding permanent human implants |
|
Heat stability |
Up to 195 °C [390 °F] |
Up to 205 °C [400 °F] |
|
Chemical resistance |
Sensitive to some solvents like NMP, acetone, MEK, etc | Good to excellent |
|
Relative friction |
0.45 | 0.4 |
Product forms and capabilities
The solutions for complex applications aren't always apparent. Explore our processing capabilities to learn more about product forms and additional assembly services that can help you with your next design.
- Round wire with a circular cross section
- Strands and cables in complex constructions for advanced applications