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:

TECASINT 8001 yellow-brown - 80% PTFE 20% polyimide
TECASINT 8061 yellow-brown – 60% PTFE 40% polyimide
Other fillers available

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