Sciencemadness Discussion Board

What to do with Teflon sewing thread?

Melgar - 21-10-2016 at 07:30

I just got a whole bunch of teflon thread, which was originally used to sew awnings, and costs about $100 for a quarter-pound spool. It's brown, and I don't think this stuff is made much anymore, since they've developed cheaper polymers that are UV-resistant. I feel that there must be practical applications for building chemistry apparatus, but I'm having trouble thinking of what those might be. The only thing I can think of is possibly weaving them into a filter, but I'm not sure how that could be done; weaving isn't exactly something I have experience with. It wouldn't be the best filter though; the threads are pretty thick. But it could be used to support another filter, in a Buchner funnel type of apparatus.

It might work as a thermometer gasket if I just wound it around the thermometer a bunch. For teflon, it's actually softer than I would have expected, and of course, very slippery.

Considering how hard this stuff normally is to get, I feel like it's important to take advantage of this opportunity. Any thoughts as to how it might be useful?

Morgan - 21-10-2016 at 08:06

550C I guess if you don't mind toxic gases.
http://catalog.cshyde.com/viewitems/ries-threads-cords-and-f...
http://www.eas-fiberglass.com/products/PTFE-Fiberglass-Threa...

This is more like it.
http://www.auburnmfg.com/product/ami-fab-tgl-sewing-thread-p...

Interesting sealing wire use
http://www.holscoteurope.com/en/ptfe-seal-thread/


Maybe you could make a belt for a Van de Graaff generator. Teflon coated fiberglass it might be good for some kinds of electrostatic experiments.