Tech-Patches work where other repair systems do not.
What are Tech-Patches?
Tech-Patches are made from fluorosilicone (FVMQ). FVMQ has excellent resistance to weather, regular gas, oil, most other chemicals and is stable at high temperatures. These characteristics are why fluorosilicone is the polymer of choice for gaskets used in high stress environments in the aviation, automotive and aerospace industries.
Tech-Patches need all the above traits, but to be a permanent solution to a problem, a patch, any patch, also needs to be flexible. Patches need to expand and contact with the temperature Flexibility is one of two prerequisites for a permanent patch. The other requirement for a patch to be permanent? It needs to be bonded on.
Polymers cannot be glued, but with our patented Polymer Bonding Process, any polymer can be bonded to itself, to any other polymer and/or to almost any other substrate. Bonded, not glued, and, if you Google “how long does a bond last?”, Google will tell you the only things that breaks or degrades a bond is energy. Normal conditions, normal wear and tear will not break or degrade a bond.
So is our Polymer Bonding Process (Process) for real? After all, we have been told for over five decades that nothing sticks to “slick plastics”. Short answer is Yes, the Process always works. In over five years of lab and field testing, the Process has bonded every polymer and there has been no report of a bond failing.
How will I know that my Tech-Patch is bonded on?
Quick answer. Heat. When you press prepared surfaces together you get an increase in heat and that increase is often maintained for several minutes The heat increase comes from the exothermic reaction that is part of the Polymer Bonding Process. This heat increase indicates that existing bonds are being broken and new bonds are being formed. Since the new bonds require less energy than the old bonds, the excess energy is given off in the form of heat. Heat is your friend and the confirmation that your Tech-Patch is bonded on.
Data on Tech-Patches is given below.
| Patch Type | Abraded (Roughed) | Pressure Rating | Uses – All season flexibility. |
| G Series | No | 30 psi | G Series patches are for the repair of all tanks and pipes which are not under significant pressure. Works on drain lines, galvanized tanks, PVC, copper, aluminum, steel, HDPE, PEX, silicone tubing, etc. |
| XT Patch | One side | 120 psi | Works on all tanks and pipe substrates and are to be used where the pressure is higher than 30 psi. |
| PTFE Patch | No | TBD* | For the repair of metal and plastic gas/oil tanks. PTFE has excellent resistance to all oils/fuels, even aromatic (high octane) formulas. |
| MX Patch | No | TBD* | MX patches will be an economical solution for a number of issues impacting the oil and gas industry. |
Types of Patches:
Depending on the project at hand, there are three different types of patches. G-Series is our general purpose patch. The XT Tech-Patch is for use when extra strength is required and rated at 120 psi. The PTFE Tech-Patch is petroleum resistant and for use with all high octane/cetane fuels.
* We expect PTFE and MX patches to have a stress rating is excess of 300 psi.
About our pressure ratings
All pressure tests for Tech-Patches were conducted with the patch on steel. Since it’s well documented that steel is one of the hardest materials to adhere to, psi ratings on all other pipe and tank substrates will be higher. Stress tests on poly to poly bond have normally resulted in substrate failure.
Tech-Bond will develop testing for all poly to poly bond combinations as soon as we can develop the necessary tooling.
“Plus” Designation for Tech-Patches
Fluorosilicone is susceptible to abrasion. For most patch applications, abrasion is not an issue. There are circumstances, for example a strap that goes over the patch, where a coating to protect the patch from abrading in necessary. The coating we use for the patches is harder than many metals. Please order the Plus version of your desired patch if you think abrasion might be an issue fo concern.
Types of Tech-Patches
G Series Tech-Patches
G Series Tech-Patch are not abraded which maximizes their resistance to weather, UV rays, salt, sea, sand, dirt, etc. On steel pipe. G Series patches have a burst rating of 30 psi. With other metals, that rating will be higher. With other metals that rating will be higher. With non-metal tank and pipe substrates, the burst rating will be much higher. Both sides are glossy and either side can be placed against the pipe or tank substrate.
XT Tech-Patches
Abraded XT Tech-Patches have a much higher burst stress rating, 120 psi, than G Series patches. The abraded (matte) side is to be placed against the pipe or tank substrate. The 120 burst pressure rating will apply to all tank or pipe substrates. XT patches can be used on pressurized metal and plastic water lines and tanks. XT Tech-Patches are not to used with invasive chemicals/liquids.
Video on putting an XT Tech-Patch on copper.
PTFE Tech-Patch
PTFE, otherwise known as Teflon™, is one of the most useful polymers in the world. PTFE’s resistance to fuel, oil, chemicals, weather, UV rays is extraordinary. One side of the PTFE Tech-Patches has 18 mils of PTFE bonded to the fluorosilicone of the patch. PTFE patches do need to be warmed to about 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Warming polymers is a critical part of the Polymer Bonding Process. The fluorosilicone helps maintain that heat when applying PTFE patches, but the Process also works when heat is applied immediately after application of the patch.
MX Tech-Patches
MX Tech-Patches are under development. The focus of MX patches is to provide economical solutions for issues and problems in the oil and gas industry.
Tech-Patch Kits
Tech-Patch Kits provide all the items needed to repair a hole or crack all tank or pipe substrates (except with stainless and alloy steels). With a Tech-Patch Kit, you choose the size of the Tech-Patch and the appropriate Tech-Bond Kit. For non-poly pipe or tank substrates, one of the Starter Kits is needed. If you are repairing a poly tank or pipe, you will need a Tech-Bond Poly Kit. Every kit comes with step-by-step instructions.
Bottom Line
Bottom line is Tech-Patches always work and are permanent. G Series and XT Tech-Patches have had a 100% success rate over the last five years. PTFE Tech-Patches have over a 95% success rate. Where there has been a failure with PTFE patches, that problem was caused by a crack or corner. In other words, it was an application issue. Tech-Patches will work for you.
A request for PTFE Tech-Patch purchasers.
When people have a leak, they want that leak fixed NOW! We get more requests for overnight shipping for PTFE Tech-Patches for the repair of plastics gas tanks than all the other patches combined. Leaky gas tanks are usually more troublesome than a leaky water tank. When your Tech-Patch works as promised, contact your local auto parts store and tell them about PTFE patches. Thank you.