PTFE / Teflon Rod & Sheet
Chemours
☀ UV Stable
✓ Food Safe
⬡ Chemical Resistant
Overview
Polytetrafluoroethylene — the material nothing sticks to. Lowest friction coefficient of any solid material (0.04 static). Chemically inert to virtually all acids, bases, and solvents at temperatures from cryogenic (-200°C) to continuous service at 260°C. Machines like gummy plastic — requires sharp tooling and light cuts.
Properties
Difficulty
advanced
Flexibility
semi-flex
Layer Adhesion
fair
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- Lowest friction coefficient of any solid (COF 0.04)
- FDA-approved for food contact
- Chemically inert to virtually all chemicals including HF
- Continuous service from -200°C to 260°C
- Excellent electrical insulation (dielectric)
- Non-toxic and biocompatible
- Self-lubricating
Cons
- Gummy to machine — requires very sharp tooling and light cuts
- Cold flows (creeps) under sustained load — not for load-bearing
- Cannot be bonded with standard adhesives
- Cannot be welded (use PTFE etchant primer for bonding)
- Extremely high cost for bulk
- Low wear resistance (use glass-filled grades for bearings)
- Very soft — scratches easily
Best For
- Chemical seals and gaskets where no other material survives|Food processing non-stick surfaces|High-purity fluid handling seals|Cryogenic seals and valves|Electrical insulation in harsh chemical environments|Bearing liners in corrosive environments
Avoid For
- High-load structural bearings (use glass-filled PTFE)|Applications requiring rigidity|Bonded assemblies (difficult to adhere)|Cost-sensitive applications|High-wear dry sliding surfaces
Storage
Store clean — PTFE is inert but accumulates dust from static. Handle with clean lint-free gloves. Machine with sharp HSS or carbide, light cuts, no coolant required (or use water-based). Mark grade on all machined parts.
Brands
Chemours TeflonMcMaster-CarrCurbell PlasticsProfessional Plastics