What Is Teflon® PTFE, and What Is It Used For?

Teflon® is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company (formerly DuPont). The Teflon® name is most commonly used when referring to PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) but the Teflon® brand name is also applied to other Fluoropolymers including FEP (Perfluoroethylene Propylene) and PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy).

Other manufacturers of PTFE resins and their trademarks are:

– FLUON® is a registered trademark of AGC Ltd.
– DYNEON® is a registered trademark of 3M.
– POLYFLON® is a registered trademark of Daikin Industries, Ltd.
– ALGOFLON® is a registered trademark of Solvay, Ltd

What is PTFE, What Are Its Properties, and Why Should You Use It?

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a high molecular weight polymer, one of the most versatile plastic materials known and useful for a large range of products in the high-tech market sector. PTFE can be used in a temperature range from -200°C (-328ºF) to +260°C (500ºF).

Some outstanding characteristics of PTFE include:

• High thermal resistance
• High resistance to chemical agents and solvents
• High anti-stick properties
• High dielectric properties
• Low friction coefficient
• Non-toxicity
• UV-resistance

The Many Uses of Teflon (PTFE)

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is more than a non-stick coating on cookware. It’s grown into a worldwide staple of industrial applications. And for good reason. With great temperature range, chemical and corrosion resistance, and excellent electrical, non-stick and anti-microbial properties, PTFE products have the ability to be formed into many different components. Wherever there’s a need for moving, vibrating or rotating parts, our reputably sourced PTFE will improve your production process by reducing friction, wear, and energy consumption in many types of machinery.

Industry applications include:

• Aerospace
• Chemical Processing
• Construction
• Industrial
• Life Sciences
• Oil & Gas
• Semiconductor
• Wiring & Insulation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• • What types of PTFE shapes does Trident offer?
    – Skived Sheet is available from .001” up to .250” thick, widths from 12” up to 72”.
    – Molded Sheet is available from .0625” up to 8.00” thick in sheet sizes up to 48”x48”
    – Molded Rod/Round Bar is available from 1.00” OD up to 28” OD
    – Molded Tubes are available from 1.125” OD up to 39.500” OD, ID’s starting at .500”
    – Extruded Rod/Round Bar is available from .093” up to 8.00” diameter
    – Extruded Tubes are available from {.031”ID x .0625”OD} up to {5.50”ID x 6.00”OD}
    – AWG size tube, Convoluted tube, and monofilament sizes are also available on request

• • How can PTFE stick to another surface?
    – PTFE can stick to another surface by using a chemical process called etching on one side or two sides. The etching is brown in color and when epoxy is applied to the etched side it will adhere to another surface.

• • What is the difference between etched one side and pressure sensitive tape?
    – Etched one side is material prepared for gluing. Pressure sensitive tape is etched material with an adhesive backing paper.

• • What is the difference between Virgin and Reprocessed (Mechanical) PTFE?
    – Virgin PTFE has better physical properties and is a good electrical insulator. Virgin PTFE is FDA approved. Reprocessed PTFE is recycled PTFE processed into a skived sheet and extruded rod, properties are not as consistent as Virgin grade and may contain impurities.

• • What chemicals is PTFE resistant to?
    – PTFE materials are essentially chemically inert. They are affected only by molten alkali metals, fluorine, and chlorine trifluoride at elevated temperatures and pressures.

• • What is the highest temperature PTFE can withstand?
    – The maximum service temperature is 500°F.

• • What fills can be added to Virgin PTFE to change its characteristics?
    – Glass fiber, carbon, carbon fiber, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, bronze, and several colorants, two or more of these fillers can be combined to create a blend as well.

PTFE Grades

Grades of PTFE, each with unique properties and uses.

Standard stock grades include:

Custom grades of PTFE include:

. Glass Fiber-filled PTFE from 5% up to 30%
Milled glass fibers have the least effect on chemical and electrical properties and add greatly to the mechanical properties of unfilled PTFE. The addition of glass improves compressive properties by as much as 40% and improves wear resistance greatly. These compounds resist acids and oxidation but can be attacked by alkalis.

. Graphite filled PTFE from 5% up to 25%
Graphite offers improved chemical resistance to corrosive environments and exhibits good initial wear and rubbing/sliding characteristics in dry and water applications. Graphite is commonly blended with carbon and PTFE.

. Carbon filled PTFE from 5% up to 25%
Carbon has good chemical resistance to corrosive environments. It exhibits good initial wear and rubbing or sliding contact characteristics, both dry and water applications. It is frequently used in piston rings to reduce cylinder wall wear by entrapping abrasive foreign particles in their relatively soft surfaces.

. 15% Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber lowers creep and increases flex and compressive modulus. It raises hardness properties and exhibits wear characteristics in water applications. It is often the best choice in automotive applications such as shock absorbers and water pumps. It is an excellent material for use in piston rings, bearings, and thrust washers. A 15% fill is typically called out in certain AMS specifications, however, customer-specific fill percentages are available upon request.

. 5% Molybdenum Disulfide-filled PTFE
This filler is used frequently in combination with others to increase surface hardness, stiffness, and to reduce the starting coefficient of friction and steady-state wear. Its effect on electrical and chemical properties is negligible.

. Bronze-filled PTFE 25% up to 60%
This filler has better wear, creep resistance, and higher thermal conductivity than glass fiber with PTFE. The compound is easily machined but has poor chemical resistance in the presence of acids and alkali. Useful in applications which undergo high mechanical loads or high-speed rubbing contacts where the bronze filler supplies the strength and conductivity to carry away excess, unwanted heat.

Often, two or more fillers will be combined to provide very specific PTFE characteristics.

These are some common blends available in molded PTFE shapes:

• 10% Carbon-Graphite
• 20% Carbon-Graphite
• 25% Carbon-Graphite
• 15% Glass Fiber, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 20% Glass Fiber, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide, 5% Carbon
• 23% Glass Fiber, 2% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 25% Glass Fiber, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 10% Glass Fiber, 10% Graphite
• 5% Glass Fiber, 5% Graphite
• 20% Glass Fiber, 5% Graphite
• 10% Glass Fiber, 5% Carbon
• 5% Glass Fiber, 10% Carbon
• 40% Bronze, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 40% Bronze, 10% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 55% Bronze, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide
• 65% Bronze, 5% Molybdenum Disulfide

Custom Colors:

Black • Gray • Red • Orange • Yellow • Green • Blue • Purple • Brown

PTFE Solutions from Trident Plastics

Trident Plastics provides a wide variety of PTFE solutions for industries across America. Click here to view our cut-to-size PTFE sheets, rods, and tubes, and be sure to contact us and request a quote if you like what we have to offer.