Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) - Teflon®
A Fluoropolymer used mainly for its excellent chemical resistance and very low friction coefficient. Virgin PTFE, however, has poor mechanical features. Its “softness” does make it an excellent gasket/sealing material.
FEATURES
 Chemical: a typical fluoropolymer with very high chemical
resistance.
Mechanical: the mechanical features such as tensile stress and compressive strength are poor. Notably the bearing strain is very
low.
Very good resistance to low and high temperatures up to 260° C. as well as to UV
rays.
Low flammability
Low friction coefficient
Colour: natural
WEAK POINT
Poor mechanical properties. The strain is very high, even simply under the weight of the piece
APPLICATION
Mechanical: the low friction coefficient makes it suitable for bearings, provided that they work under low charge.
Food contact: Virgin as well as Glass-Filled and Carbon-Filled PTFE has FDA (USA) approval for use in contact with food, potable water and pharmaceutical products.
Electrical: very good dielectric, self-extinguishing and weather stability properties make it suitable for this
field.
Chemical: very high chemical resistance to alkali and acids is the main feature of the fluoropolymers. PTFE is used for parts in the petrochemical and chemical
industries.
The graph shows that PVDF has better mechanical features than PTFE, together with an economical advantage thanks to its lower gravity.
A: ball identation hardness
B: compressive strength
C: gravity
blue =PTFE
yellow = PVDF |
