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Which is the best low friction metal material for iron applications

2003

Hello everyone:

I'm looking for some kind a low friction metal or other material plate, that I can use to fabricate an iron in which I will stake cloth. The material that I'm using right now it's aluminum but this kind of material suffers too much corrosion and it has a very high friction coefficient. I will appreciate any help that you can give me.

Thanks,

Jesse Cruz
- El Paso, Texas, US

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Chrome plating is a technology that has been established for decades, is in very wide practice, and offers very low coefficient of friction; it is the standard against you can judge alternate technologies. However, it's hard for me to understand why Teflon coating would not be the right approach for your problem.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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The best irons have a chromium plated base plate, although a lot of the cheaper and "easy glide" ones have a Teflon coating on the base. The problem with Teflon is that it can overheat and also wear off. It is also no use when the iron is used too hot and carbon deposits build up on it. I have had much less problem with the chromium plated bases. Oh well, back the domestic chores.....

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2003