How Do Fluoropolymers Help Improve Power to Weight Ratio?

If you are in the market for a new car, you might run into a term called power to weight ratio. Power to weight ratio is a simple formula where you divide the vehicle’s horsepower by its curb weight. For example, if a four-cylinder vehicle has 300 horsepower and weighs 3,000 lbs., it would have a one horsepower to ten pounds power to weight ratio. In general, most car experts would recommend that motorists interested in performance look for vehicles with power to weight ratios at above one horsepower to ten pounds.

Engines today are much different than they were 25 or even 10 years ago. There have been many changes in design to allow manufacturers to improve power to weight ratio. Fluoropolymers are a fundamental reason why engines have changed. A fluorpolymer is a polymer that contains molecules of fluorine and carbon, and there are many different fluorocarbons available with various properties.

Fluoropolymer tubing, fluoropolymer rods, monofilament are used for a number of different parts and applications in vehicles. They are needed because of the high temperatures, chemical stability requirements, and other demands manufacturers require to achieve peak performance. One of the most common types of fluoropolymers used in vehicles is PTFE, which is great for electric wire insulators and fluid flow transference. Fluoropolymers enable manufacturers to keep the weight of the vehicle lower, so power to weight ratio is kept at an optimal level.

There are a number of different factors you will need to consider when purchasing a vehicle. Handling, safety, gas mileage, and reliability all come to mind right away. The power to weight ratio will not have much of an effect on any of these factors. Additionally, most vehicle experts will say that a lighter weight vehicle is a better option than a heavier vehicle with the same power to weight ratio. However, power to weight ratio is still something to keep in mind if vehicle performance is important to you.