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Polytetrafluoroethylene
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In chemistry, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is Polytetrafluoroethylene

a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene
that finds numerous applications. PTFE is most
well known by the DuPont brand name Teflon.

PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid, as it is a high-

molecular-weight compound consisting wholly of
carbon and fluorine. PTFE is hydrophobic: neither
water and water-containing substances are wet by
PTFE, as fluorocarbons demonstrate mitigated
London dispersion forces due to the high
electronegativity of fluorine. PTFE has one of the
lowest coefficients of friction against any solid.

PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and

other cookware. It is very non-reactive, partly
IUPAC name
because of the strength of carbon–fluorine bonds,
and so it is often used in containers and pipework Poly(tetrafluoroethene)
for reactive and corrosive chemicals. Where used Other names
as a lubricant, PTFE reduces friction, wear, and Teflon, Syncolon, Fluon, Polytetrafluoroethene, Poly
energy consumption of machinery. (ethylene tetrafluoride)
Identifiers
Abbreviations PTFE
CAS number 9002-84-0
Contents Properties
Molecular formula CnF2n+2
■ 1 History Density 2200 kg/m3
■ 2 Properties Melting point
■ 3 Safety 327 °C
■ 3.1 PFOA
Thermal conductivity 0.25 W/(m·K)
■ 4 Similar polymers
Supplementary data page
■ 5 See also
Structure and n, εr, etc.
■ 6 References properties
■ 7 Further reading
Thermodynamic Phase behaviour
■ 8 External links data Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS
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History Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
PTFE was accidentally invented by Roy Plunkett Infobox references
of Kinetic Chemicals in New Jersey in 1938.
While Plunkett was attempting to make a new CFC refrigerant, the perfluorethylene polymerized in
its pressurized storage container, with the iron from the inside of the container acting as a catalyst.
Kinetic Chemicals patented it in 1941[1] and registered the Teflon trademark in 1945.[2][3]

An early advanced use was in the Manhattan Project as a material to coat valves and seals in the
pipes holding highly reactive uranium hexafluoride at the vast K-25 uranium enrichment plant at
Oak Ridge, Tennessee.[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene 12/21/2010