PTFE uses, advantages and limitations

May 2023

PTFE uses, properties and limitations.

Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, or Teflon® as it is often referred to, is a tough, ductile material with excellent thermal properties and outstanding resistance to chemicals and the passage of electric current. PTFE has an exceptionally low coefficient of friction, believed to be lower than any other solid.

While plastics are high molecular weight organic polymers composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and chlorine, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is just made up of fluorine and carbon atoms. This dramatically changes the property of the material and PTFE, like other fluoroplastics, has distinctive properties.

Properties of PTFE:

Low surface energy and non-stick characteristics
Effective over a wide range of temperatures
Very low coefficient of friction
Low dielectric constant
High electrical strength and thermal insulation
Resistance to weather and UV light
High ductilityHigh inertness
High corrosion and chemical resistanceNon-Flammable
Low compression modulus allowing enhanced sealing at low pressure
FDA approved and food safe
Low water absorption

PTFE, however also has some limitations in its applications.

Limitations of PTFE:

Non-melt processable material
Low tensile yield strength and modulus (when compared to PEEK, PPS and LCP)
High wear behaviour in unfilled state
Not weldable
Sensitivity to creep and abrasion
Low radiation resistance

One of the common applications of PTFE is non-stick coating in kitchen cookware (pans, baking trays, etc.). PTFE is also used as a cost-effective solution for chemical processing, oil & gas, industrial, semiconductor, and construction sectors.