What Is PTFE?

PTFE, commonly known as Plastic King, is a high molecular polymer made by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene as a monomer. Teflon is the common name of polytetrafluoroethylene and a registered trademark of DuPont. PTFE is white waxy, translucent, heat-resistant and cold-resistant, and can be used for a long time at -180～260ºC. Related products mainly include clear teflon film, pure teflon tape, PTFE insulation tape and PTFE unsintered tape, etc.

 

PTFE is a polymer chemical material containing polytetrafluoroethylene. It is widely used in packaging, electronic and electrical, chemical energy, corrosion-resistant materials. Teflon high-performance special coating is a fluorine coating with polytetrafluoroethylene as the matrix resin.

 

Polytetrafluoroethylene is produced by radical polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. Industrial polymerization is carried out under stirring in the presence of a large amount of water to disperse the heat of reaction and facilitate temperature control. The polymerization is generally carried out at 40-80°C and a pressure of 3-26 kgf/cm2. Inorganic persulfates and organic peroxides can be used as initiators, or a redox initiation system can be used.

 

Characteristics of PTFE

 

Teflon plastic resin has excellent corrosion resistance. It can withstand the action of all strong acids (including aqua regia), strong oxidants, reducing agents and various organic solvents except molten alkali metals, fluorinated media and sodium hydroxide above 300°C.

 

PTFE has strong insulation resistance. Unaffected by the environment and frequency, the volume resistance can reach 1018 ohm·cm. The dielectric loss is small and the breakdown voltage is high.

 

PTFE material also has excellent high and low temperature resistance. The influence on the temperature is not big, the temperature range is wide, and the working condition temperature can be used -190℃～+250℃.

 

PTFE material has a unique self-lubricating property. With the smallest coefficient of friction among plastics, it is an ideal oil-free lubricating material and can be used as an oil-free bearing.

 

In addition, the high-quality PTFE material has outstanding surface non-stickiness. According to the investigation, all known solid materials cannot adhere to the surface, and it is a solid material with the smallest surface energy.

 

PTFE material also has good resistance to atmospheric aging, radiation resistance and low permeability. Even if exposed to the atmosphere for a long time, its surface properties remain unchanged. PTFE material is also non-flammable, and its limiting oxygen index is below 90. If the open flame is removed, the PTFE material will not continue to burn. But it is worth noting that although the PTFE material is non-toxic and safe, such as burning at a high temperature above 380 ℃ or an open flame, it can release toxic gases when it is cracked at high temperature.

 

PTFE material also has good resistance to atmospheric aging, radiation resistance and low permeability. Even if exposed to the atmosphere for a long time, its surface properties remain unchanged. PTFE material is also non-flammable, and its limiting oxygen index is below 90. If the open flame is removed, the PTFE material will not continue to burn. But it is worth noting that although the PTFE material is non-toxic and safe, such as burning at a high temperature above 380 ℃ or an open flame, it can release toxic gases when it is cracked at high temperature. Due to its flame resistance, PTFE-related products are commonly used in kitchens, such as teflon tape for water pipes, gas pipe teflon tape and sealing tape for gas pipes.