In this blog post, we look at the impending PFAS ban, a problem that the plastics and lubricant industries are primarily confronted with. It is not yet clear to what extent there will be restrictions, but the signs from the market are clear - whoever is the first to establish a suitable replacement will be ahead of the game. This is where hexagonal boron nitride, hBN, comes into play as a promising substitute for PTFE in lubricants and polymers.
The impending ban on substances from the PFAS family also includes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is used as a process and processing aid in many applications due to its unique friction properties and chemical resistance.
It is not only the lubricant industry that is looking for replacement products for PTFE; the plastics industry must also look for alternatives in order to meet the new market requirements for PTFE-free products. This is because PTFE is used in many products such as films, seals, plain bearings and other components modified for friction properties.
Boron nitride is a hexagonal, ceramic material whose structure is comparable to graphite. This crystalline structure gives hBN its outstanding properties: it is extremely temperature-resistant, chemically inert and has a very low coefficient of friction, especially in the range of low and very high shear forces. These properties are similar to PTFE, but hBN can be used in even more demanding environments without losing its mechanical or tribological properties.
While PTFE plays an important role in many industrial applications, it reaches its limits in extreme temperatures or aggressive chemical conditions. This is where hBN comes into play. Its thermal stability far exceeds that of PTFE and shows its advantages when used in high-temperature environments or under vacuum conditions.
One area of application for HeBoFill® LUB LINE and BASIC LINE as a PTFE substitute is in lubricants. Compared to PTFE, which can decompose at high temperatures, hBN remains stable and retains its excellent lubricating properties even under extreme conditions.
HeBoFill® boron nitride powders offer one of the best solid lubricants: the hexagonal layers, which are easily displaceable against each other, enable it to be used as a solid lubricant in dry friction systems where liquid lubricants cannot be used.
Typical areas of application in the lubricant sector are
- High-temperature lubricants in metal processing, e.g. forging, casting
- Dry lubrication of plain bearings, seals
- Lubricants in machine guides, locks, doors
- Food-safe lubrication in filling systems, conveyor belts, packaging machines
Hexagonal boron nitride is also NSF H1-certified for use in food grade lubricants. Use in machines and equipment where accidental contact with food cannot be ruled out is therefore permitted. This certification makes hBN an excellent choice for companies that rely on food safety and hygiene.
In addition, hexagonal boron nitride is non-toxic and microplastic-free, making it an ideal option for sensitive applications in food processing or the pharmaceutical industry where lubricants with NSF H1 certification are required.
In addition to the lubricant industry, hBN is also increasingly being used in the polymer and plastics industry. Its excellent thermal and tribological properties make it a perfect filler in polymers, especially when high temperature resistance and high thermal conductivity are required. HeBoFill® gives plastics improved thermal conductivity and at the same time maintains their electrical insulation properties.
Especially in the plastics sector, the number of applications is almost infinite. Whether as O-rings and valves or conveyor chains, plain bearings and cable insulation, boron nitride can be used as a filler to modify the polymer matrix. In applications where PTFE is used as a solid material, a substitute can be found in which another polymer serves as a matrix and is additivated with boron nitride.
Henze BNP offers boron nitride powders within the HeBoFill® family that have FDA approval for food contact in plastics. This makes boron nitride attractive for a wide range of applications in food packaging and processing. In addition, all HeBoFill® family boron nitride powders have EU food approval.
Hexagonal boron nitride offers a pioneering alternative to PTFE, particularly in the fields of lubricants and polymers. With its superior heat resistance, chemical inertness and excellent friction reduction, hBN can extend the performance limits of PTFE and be used in applications with demanding thermal and chemical requirements. NSF H1 certification for lubricants and FDA approval for polymers emphasise the versatility and safety of hBN in sensitive areas such as the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Companies looking for a durable, high-performance and safe alternative to PTFE should consider HeBoFill®. Not only does it offer similar properties to PTFE, it outperforms it in many areas, especially under extreme conditions.
