PTFE - Polytetrafluoroethylene 

TECAFLON PTFE Ensinger Plastics

PTFE material (chemically known as Polytetrafluoroethylene, colloquially referred to as Teflon®) is a semi crystalline fluoropolymer with many unique characteristics. This fluoropolymer has unusually high thermal stability and chemical resistance, as well as a high melting point (-200 to +260°C, short-term up to 300°C). In addition, PTFE products have excellent sliding properties, excellent electrical resistance and a non stick surface. This is in contrast, however, to its low mechanical strength, and a high specific gravity compared to other plastics. In order to improve the mechanical properties, PTFE plastics can be reinforced with additives such as glass fibre, carbon or bronze. Due to its structure, Polytetrafluoroethylene is often formed into semi finished products using a compression process and then machined with cutting/machining tools.

PTFE material properties and specifications

PTFE material shows the following properties:

  • Extremely high chemical resistance
  • Very good temperature resistance (-200+260°C, short-term up to 300°C)
  • Very low coefficient of friction
  • Extremely low surface tension (practically no materials stick to PTFE, difficult to adhere to or weld)
  • High coefficient of thermal expansion
  • Relatively low strength/rigidity
  • Low dielectric constant
  • Flame resistance

 

Manufactured PTFE Materials

The Ensinger TECAFLON family of PTFE plastics offer the following PTFE modifications:

Ensinger supplies PTFE Teflon® shapes such as:

  • PTFE rod
  • PTFE sheet

Teflon® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

Typical PTFE applications

  • Chemical plant engineering (valves, pump components, fittings, hopper)
  • Food and pharmaceutical industres
  • Sliding applications under high chemical stress