Product Summary of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was accidentally discovered by Roy Plunkett in 1938 whilst he was trying to make a new CFC refrigerant. During his experiments he found a lower than expected yield and upon cutting open the gas cylinder he found a waxy white solid had formed. Arguably its first important use was in the Manhattan Project as a coating material applied to the valves and seals in the pipes holding reactive uranium hexafluoride.

To this day PTFE is still an important engineering material due to its non-stick properties, its low coefficient of friction and its extraordinary chemical resistance.

Characteristics of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) include:

• Excellent chemical resistance
• Non-stick surface
• Low coefficient of friction
• Wide operating temperature range (-260 to +260°C)

Forms and Availability of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Please find below a list of our standard stock dimensions. Of course, we are very often able to supply alternative dimensions.