PTFE — polytetrafluoroethylene, known to most of the world as Teflon — is one of the most useful materials in industry. It resists almost every chemical, works from deep-freeze to over 250 °C, and has the lowest friction of any solid. This guide explains what it is, what makes it special, and where it earns its place.
What PTFE actually is
PTFE is a fluoropolymer: a long chain of carbon atoms wrapped in fluorine. That carbon–fluorine bond is one of the strongest in chemistry, which is exactly why PTFE shrugs off chemicals, heat and weathering. On an atomic level it is a simple molecule — but that simple molecule does remarkable things.
The properties that matter
| Chemical resistance | Outstanding — resists virtually all industrial chemicals |
| Friction | Lowest of any solid (as low as 0.04) |
| Temperature range | Approx. −200 °C to +260 °C |
| Dielectric strength | Excellent electrical insulator |
| Water absorption | Essentially zero |
| Stickiness | Non-stick — almost nothing adheres to it |
Grades of PTFE
- Virgin PTFE — pure, soft, best chemical resistance.
- Glass-filled — stiffer, more creep-resistant, better under load.
- Carbon-filled — improved strength, thermal conductivity and wear.
- Bronze-filled — for high-load bearing and wear applications.
- Antistatic / conductive — for dissipating static in sensitive environments.
Where PTFE is used
- Seals and gaskets — for aggressive chemicals and extreme temperatures.
- Bearings and bushings — where friction must be near zero.
- Chemical processing — liners, valves, pump parts and pipe.
- Electrical — cable insulation and high-frequency components.
- Food and medical — non-stick, inert, cleanable surfaces.
Where it falls short
PTFE is soft and creeps under sustained load, so it is rarely a structural material. It is also difficult to bond and costly to machine. For high-load structural parts, filled grades or a different polymer usually win. But when chemistry, temperature and friction are the challenge, nothing else comes close.
Get PTFE in the form you need
We supply virgin and filled PTFE in sheets, rods, tubes and finished machined parts. See the full PTFE specification or ask for a quote.