General Description : A totally fluorinated polymer that is very frequently called Teflon®. This can cause confusion as DuPont also use this brand name for a family of related fluoropolymers. It is semi-crystalline, semi-opaque and white. It has outstanding chemical resistance being unaffected by almost all chemicals and also has a very high oxygen index (i.e. is inherently non-flam). It has a very low coefficient of friction and is stable to high temperatures. It is soft, easily deformed, very prone to creep and low in strength with poor radiation resistance. It is relatively expensive and cannot be melt-processed (although in theory it melts at 327C, the melt viscosity of normal grades is virtually infinite) and so is formed by powder sintering methods.

Industrial applications include bearings, seals, O-rings, high temperature electrical insulation, non-stick coatings and linings for vessels etc, etc. Its unusual properties make it invaluable for a wide range of laboratory applications.