PTFE
PTFE (Teflon) – Lowest-Friction Solid Material with Universal Chemical Resistance
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), widely known by the DuPont trade name Teflon, possesses the lowest coefficient of static and dynamic friction of any solid material and is chemically inert to virtually every industrial chemical including strong acids, bases, and solvents. Its continuous service capability from –200°C to +260°C makes it irreplaceable for sealing, lining, and bearing applications in the harshest chemical environments.
Key Properties
- Coefficient of Friction: ~0.04 — lowest of any solid material
- Continuous Service Range: –200°C to +260°C
- Chemical Resistance: Virtually universal — resistant to nearly all chemicals
- Density: 2.20 g/cm³
- Dielectric Strength: Excellent electrical insulator
- Standard: ASTM D3308
Common Applications
Chemical processing seals and gaskets, pipe liners for corrosive media, non-stick cookware coatings, laboratory equipment, low-friction bearing pads, electrical wire insulation, and medical tubing and catheters.
Material properties
| Material name | PTFE |
|---|---|
| Type | Plastics |
| Standard code | ASTM D3308 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 31 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 23 |
| Fatigue strength (MPa) | — |
| Elongation (%) | 400 |
| Hardness (Brinell) | — |
| Density (g/cm³) | 2.2 |
| Electrical resistivity (µΩ·in) | — |
| Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | 0.3 |
| Melting range (°C) | 327 |
| Weldability | N/A |
| Formability | Fair |
| Shear modulus | 0.4 |
| Industry code | ptfe |