3 ms·
HDPE and PTFE (teflon) both have very interesting self-lubricating qualities; their surfaces act almost like they are somewhat liquid, not unlike ice. They're
by hwillis 9y ago
HDPE and PTFE (teflon) both have very interesting self-lubricating qualities; their surfaces act almost like they are somewhat liquid, not unlike ice. They're not nearly as good as SLIPS but they have similar properties. I don't know if it's true but the way I've heard it explained is that PTFE and HDPE are so long-chained that loose molecule ends act kind of like hairs on the surface. The hairs can slip over each other very easily, so they act somewhat like a liquid.
But in reality HDPE is specifically used to grow mussels on: http://www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20131011/PNE/310119980/hdpe-platforms-used-for-mussels-farming http://www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20131011/PNE/31011...
- mickronome 9y agoIsn't the HDPE only used as flotation devices to hang culture ropes from ? If not, I've got another project I'll never do: Figure out how mussels adheres to HDPE and make revolutionary paints and glues for it!
- owenversteeg 9y agoMussels use byssus threads, which are a keratin+polyphenolic protein core coated in an adhesive protein mix. The keratin/polyphenolic core provides the strong part, then the adhesive obviously adheres it. Both parts are very important, and I imagine it'd be hard to have the adhesive work well by itself. The process of creating the threads also seems relatively difficult, but Google seems to have some byssus-based adhesives. Who knows, maybe you'll end up with something interesting. Particularly this, seems like it might not be too difficult to make at home with some equipment and knowledge: https://www.livescience.com/6974-glue-derived-clinging-mussels.html https://www.livescience.com/6974-glue-derived-clinging-musse...