What is Teflon® (PTFE)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polymer known worldwide as Teflon® – registered trademark of Chemours® – has remarkable chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal and physical properties, having a non-stick characteristic (“ice over ice”) and, therefore, can be used in different segments and applications in which these characteristics are necessary.

Features

Among its main characteristics we can mention its properties:

• Odorless and non-toxic;
• It can be immersed in boiling liquids without suffering any changes;
• It does not suffer from aging phenomena.

• Low coefficient of friction as the static and dynamic coefficients are equal;
• Good resistance;
• Flexible in thin thicknesses and rigid in thick sections without being brittle in either case.

• Electrical insulator.
• High electrical stiffness.

• It does not change at low or high temperatures (between -90ºC and 260ºC).

• Non-stick;
• Weather stability.

Compounds

Some properties can be improved by adding fillers. Typical additives include fiberglass, graphite, bronze and molybdenum disulfide.

Characteristics of adding loads:

• Abrasion resistance;

• Compressive strength;

• Dimensional stability;

• Thermal stability;

• Electrical conductivity.

Main Properties/Constitution

The chemical bond between carbon and fluorine is one of the most resistant in all organic chemistry.

Compound %Weight Positive Effect Negative Effect
Molybdenum
Disulfide (MoS2)		 Up to 5% combined with bronze and fiberglass Improves sliding properties It is no longer non-toxic
Increases wear resistance Absorbs moisture
Graphite Up to 25% combined with fiberglass, bronze and carbon Improves sliding properties It is no longer non-toxic
Reduces the coefficient of friction Absorbs more moisture
Improves thermal conductivity Loss of electrical insulation
Carbon Up to 35% combined with graphite, bronze and fiberglass Increases compressive strength
Increases hardness
Increases wear resistance It is no longer non-toxic
Improves thermal conductivity Absorbs moisture
Electrically conductive Loss of electrical insulation
Resistant to hydrofluoric acid
Bronze Up to 60% combined with MoS2 Increases compressive strength It is no longer non-toxic
Increases hardness Increase in project weight
Increases wear resistance Unsatisfactory for some acids
Reduces cold flow Reduces tensile strength
Improves thermal conductivity Loss of electrical insulation
Fiberglass Up to 25% combined with graphite and MoS2 disulfide Increases stiffness It is no longer non-toxic
Increases wear resistance Reduces slippage
Reduces cold flow Absorbs moisture
Increases compressive strength Increases the coefficient of friction
Resistance to organic solvents Unsatisfactory for some acids