Production of Recycling Prototype of Machining Teflon Waste by Compression Molding and Sintering and Investigation of Mechanical Properties

In this study, for the first time within the Arnes Mechanical Machinery Design Center, the recycling of Teflon (PTFE-Polytetrafluorethylene) wastes generated in the production of sealing elements by machining process was carried out, and know-how was obtained for the use of this recycling prototype as a secondary raw material. Within the scope of the study, the recycling prototype, which was separated as waste after the machining process, was characterized by DSC analysis and ground to 250-micron sizes. The resulting Teflon prototype was pressed by pressure molding and sintering processes. 370-390°C temperature and 2-4 hours time parameters were selected for sintering. To determine the mechanical properties of the secondary raw material prepared as a recycling prototype, a tensile test mold was designed, and tensile test samples were produced. As a result of the study, it was seen that the recycling Teflon prototype was successfully produced. It was determined that the mechanical properties of the produced prototype improved with increasing sintering temperature and time. Environmental sustainability will be ensured by reusing the second-quality raw materials from the study in production.