Technical > Design Guide > Applying Xylan - Additional Considerations

• Postforming: Some Xylan formulations may be stamped, deep drawn, bent, punched, drilled and machined without damaging the coating — provided that the part is properly pretreated before coating.
  
• Controlled removal for precision sizing: These materials may be applied in thick films and then machined, buffed, centerless ground, sanded, etc., to achieve a very high gloss and an extremely close tolerance.
  
• Higher builds: Thicker films may be achieved by preheating the substrate as previously mentioned or by using higher solids formulations which are available in most, but not all, Whitford products.
  
• Coating removal: Once applied and cured, fluoropolymer coatings can be removed from a part mechanically by sand/grit blasting, or thermally by degrading the coating (at 430°C/800°F). Use caution when degrading thermally.

Important: At temperatures >260°C/>500°F, fluoropolymer coatings give off fumes which can cause "polymer fume fever", a condition not unlike a mild, 24-hour case of flu (there are no long-term effects). If you take fluoropolymers to these high temperatures, be sure that the work area is well ventilated.