5-axis CNC milling drawing: Al 7075-T6 block with pockets, toolpath and dimensions

PTFE · Polytetrafluoroethylene

Universal chemical resistance. Lowest friction. Non-stick.

Q: PTFE (Teflon) vs FEP vs PFA — what's the difference?

PTFE: base fluorocarbon polymer. Not melt-processable — machined from sintered block. Highest temperature (260 °C). FEP: melt-processable copolymer. Slightly lower temperature (205 °C). Can be extruded, injection molded, heat-welded. PFA: premium melt-processable fluorocarbon. Between PTFE and FEP in properties. Used for applications requiring weldability with near-PTFE performance. For machined parts, typically PTFE. For molded parts or welded tubing, FEP or PFA.

Q: PTFE machining challenges?

PTFE is soft (cold-flows under load) and low friction — conventional fixturing doesn't grip well. Solutions: vacuum fixturing, soft jaws with light clamping pressure, fixture design for even loading. Sharp tools essential. Low cutting speeds (100-200 m/min) to prevent smearing. Achievable tolerance ±0.05 mm for most features, ±0.025 mm with care.

Q: Cold flow — what is it?

PTFE deforms slowly under sustained load at room temperature (cold flow or creep). A loaded PTFE washer compresses over days or weeks. Consequence: PTFE isn't suitable for applications needing precise dimensional stability under continuous load. For creep-critical: glass-filled PTFE, PEEK, or specialty creep-resistant grades. For intermittent loading (valve seats, gaskets), cold flow is not a problem.

Q: Can PTFE handle molten metals?

PTFE decomposes at 330 °C and releases toxic fluorine-containing gases above 400 °C. Never expose PTFE to open flame or molten metal temperatures. For very high-temperature applications beyond PTFE's 260 °C service limit, use other fluorocarbons (FEP, PFA at 205-260 °C) or entirely different materials (Vespel at 300 °C, specialty metals).

Q: FDA and medical compliance?

Virgin PTFE (unfilled) meets FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 for food contact. USP Class VI medical-grade PTFE available for medical applications. For implantable medical (long-term contact), specialty medical grade PTFE required with appropriate certification. Filled PTFE grades (glass, carbon, bronze) typically NOT FDA compliant due to filler content.

Q: Lead times for PTFE?

Virgin PTFE: in stock or 1-week lead time. Filled grades: 2-3 week material lead time. Custom sizes beyond standard stock: 3-4 weeks. Medical-grade PTFE: 4-6 week lead time due to specialty sourcing and documentation. For urgent PTFE orders, confirm material availability — unlike aluminum or steel, PTFE is not always in stock.

PTFE (Teflon) resists essentially every chemical at all concentrations and temperatures to 260 °C. Lowest coefficient of friction of any plastic. Non-stick surface, FDA compliant, biocompatible. The ultimate material for chemical processing, fluid handling, and release applications.

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Engineering plasticsWuxi, ChinaMOQ 1 partDFM review included

Technical plate for Universal chemical resistance. Lowest friction. Non-stick.

At a glance

Density: 2.15 g/cc
Tensile strength: 25 MPa
Flexural modulus: 0.5 GPa
Elongation: 300 %
HDT (0.45 MPa): 121 °C
Continuous service: 260 °C
Friction coef.: 0.05 (lowest of any plastic)
Water absorption: < 0.01%

PTFE · Polytetrafluoroethylene

Key data

Density: 2.15 g/cc
Tensile strength: 25 MPa
Flexural modulus: 0.5 GPa
Elongation: 300 %
HDT (0.45 MPa): 121 °C
Continuous service: 260 °C
Friction coef.: 0.05 (lowest of any plastic)
Water absorption: < 0.01%

01 · Grades & variants

PTFE grades.

Virgin PTFE

Unfilled. Highest chemical purity, FDA compliant, best electrical properties. Used for chemical reactor linings, food contact, pharmaceutical fluid handling.

PTFE-GF25

Glass-filled for improved creep resistance and wear. Reduced chemical purity. Used for bearings, seals, pump components.

PTFE-CF25

Carbon-filled for electrical conductivity and improved wear. Slightly ESD-dissipative. Used for electrical applications, static-sensitive fluid handling.

PTFE-Bronze

Bronze-filled for heavy-duty bearing applications. Improved thermal conductivity, high-PV rating. Used for industrial bushings and bearings.

PTFE-MoS2

Molybdenum disulfide filled for ultimate low friction performance. Used for specialty sliding applications, space mechanisms.

Virgin PTFE Medical

FDA/USP Class VI compliant virgin PTFE for medical device applications — catheters, implants, fluid contact.

Virgin PTFE for pure chemical inertness, filled grades for improved mechanical properties — each filler targets specific wear, strength, or cost characteristics.

02 · Why this material

Why PTFE is irreplaceable.

Universal chemical resistance

Resists essentially all chemicals — acids, bases, solvents — at any concentration. Only attacked by molten alkali metals and elemental fluorine.

Lowest coefficient of friction

0.05 static, 0.04 dynamic against steel. No other solid material approaches this. Self-lubricating under any conditions.

Non-stick surface

Nothing sticks to PTFE. Standard for mold release, food contact non-stick, industrial release applications.

Broad temperature range

-200 °C to +260 °C continuous service. Only elastomer-like plastic that handles cryogenic AND elevated temperature.

PTFE's unique combination of properties — chemical inertness, low friction, non-stick, broad temperature range — cannot be replicated by other plastics.

03 · Applications

PTFE applications.

Chemical valve seats

Ball valve seats, needle valve seats for chemical service — universal resistance

Seals & gaskets

Chemical flange gaskets, shaft seals — chemical inertness + low friction

Bushings

Low-friction bushings — running dry against any metal without galling

Chemical reactor linings

PTFE-lined chemical vessels for corrosive processing

HPLC fittings

Analytical instrument fluid fittings — chemical compatibility + purity

Food processing

FDA-compliant food handling — non-stick conveyor components, mold release

Medical catheters

Medical catheter lining, implantable tubing — biocompatibility + low friction

Electrical insulators

High-temperature wire insulation, coaxial cable dielectric

Aerospace seals

Aircraft fluid system seals — fuel compatibility, wide temperature range

04 · Finishing

PTFE finishing.

As-machined

White semi-translucent finish. Ra 1.6 µm typical. Cold-flow behavior means finish evolves slightly over time.

Cannot bond

PTFE surface cannot be bonded without etching. Plasma or chemical etch required for adhesive applications.

Laser marked

Limited — PTFE dulls laser marks over time. Mechanical engraving more permanent.

Cannot weld

Traditional welding not possible. Specialized sintering can join PTFE but requires specialized equipment.

Machined threads

Threads possible but creep under load — prefer Heli-Coil inserts for threaded features.

Pressed inserts

Metal inserts pressed into PTFE common for fastener points — relies on PTFE's compliance.

FEP/PFA alternatives

For fluorocarbon applications needing weldability, consider FEP or PFA alternatives (heat-weldable).

Virgin grade only

Most finishing processes limited to virgin PTFE — filled grades have reduced processing flexibility.

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FAQ

Universal chemical resistance — questions

PTFE (Teflon) vs FEP vs PFA — what's the difference?