Based on our previous discussion regarding the lack of an officially unified grading standard and performance defect detection for recycled PTFE conductors in hot runner applications, the following practical methods can be used to determine their quality grade:
Grade A (Lightly Recycled): Contains only a small amount of recycled material from production scraps. Appearance is free of obvious impurities. It does not soften at short-term temperatures up to 200℃. Insulation resistance ≥ 50 MΩ. Suitable only for non-critical applications below 180℃.
Grade B (Mediumly Recycled): Contains 30%~50% recycled material. Has a small amount of discolored spots. Slightly softens at 180℃. Insulation resistance ≥ 10 MΩ. Suitable only for general applications below 150℃.
Grade C (Heavily Recycled): Primarily made from waste plastics. Contains a large amount of discolored impurities. Softens and deforms at 150℃. Insulation resistance < 1 MΩ. Completely substandard and strictly prohibited from use in any high-temperature electrical applications.
All grades of recycled PTFE wires have performance far inferior to virgin materials and must never be used in hot runner high-temperature conditions to avoid serious malfunctions such as temperature control failure and thermal shock cracking.
