PTFE (Teflon) Timing Belt Technology in Questions & Answers

You don’t have to look far among cars on the road today to find one that is fitted with a PTFE (Teflon^®) timing belt. Many cars (e.g. VAG TDI engines) have a PTFE timing belt as original equipment fitment. And in the aftermarket too the replacement of this type of belt is more and more common. Time for some facts about PTFE timing belt technology.

WHY PTFE TIMING BELT TECHNOLOGY?

With increasingly high loads and average engine operating temperatures going beyond 120°C, the need for timing belts with improved durability increases. One of the advanced techniques vehicle manufacturers use is Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) timing belt technology for highly demanding applications. PTFE is the generic name for the more commonly known trade name Teflon^®, a trademark of DuPont. 

WHAT MAKES PTFE TIMING BELTS BETTER?

Adding a PTFE coating to the fabric cover of the belt’s toothed side and/or backside decreases the friction, reduces abrasion, resulting in improved wear resistance and lower noise.

Belts with PTFE clearly demonstrate significantly lower weight loss/abrasion

WHY ARE SOME PTFE TIMING BELTS WHITE AND OTHERS BLACK?

PTFE coated belts can come in different colours, usually black or white. The colour has no effect on the function.

Black or white coating: no difference in performance or function

HOW IS THE QUALITY OF AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENTS?

The quality of PTFE aftermarket belts may vary widely among products. Some have only a relatively thin PTFE film on the belt surface. Upon extended high load, extreme dynamic belt tensions or high temperature such films are likely to abrade away, leaving the base fabric material exposed again. The PTFE timing belts from Gates have PTFE coated on the surface of the fabric cover and penetrated into the fabric. As a consequence, the PTFE keeps its function for the intended lifetime of the belt. Gates PTFE timing belts are characterised by low wear and low noise levels and conform to the required OE quality without exception.

IS GATES OE SUPPLIER?

Yes, Gates has been manufacturing PowerGrip^® PTFE coated timing belts since the early 2000s and supplies these belts to various vehicle manufacturers worldwide (e.g. Alfa Romeo, Avtovaz, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Volvo, Volkswagen,…) as well as to the aftermarket. As long as you know the make/model/year/engine, you can trust to receive a Gates timing belt that fits and performs just like the OEM belt using the same materials as the OEM belt.

Popular Gates aftermarket belts and kits with PTFE belt design include: