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Polyhedron Laboratories provides testing services for all plastics materials and products and we also specialize in PTFE testing. Tests available at our labs include materials testing to verify that the compound meets product requirements including friction, chemical resistance and failure analysis. Additional tests are available. All tests meet ASTM standards.
Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Consisting solely of carbon and fluorine, PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid with high molecular weight. PTFE's co-efficient of friction is the second lowest of all known solid materials, with only diamond-like carbon having a lower co-efficient. It is the only known material to which a gecko cannot stick.
Its low friction property is the one for which PTFE is best known, and it is mainly referred to as Teflon , a tradename of the DuPont Company. PTFE also exhibits excellent dielectric properties, especially at high radio frequencies, a high melting temperature, high corrosion resistance and a lack of "memory" that allows for material creep. It is highly resilient and has a long service life.
PTFE is a white solid and is molded by polymer powder technologies. It is also applied as a coating to provide a low friction surface to materials.
Demand for PTFE is expected to increase through 2014 due to increasing demand in wire and cable applications, advanced batteries, fuel cells and photovoltaic modules.
The most common properties of PTFE are shown in the table below. Contact Polyhedron Laboratories today!
PROPERTIES | ASTM TEST METHOD | COMMON VALUES AND RANGES |
---|---|---|
Melting Temperature, °C |
- |
335 - 345
|
Processing temperature range, °C - Injection |
- |
- |
Molding pressure range, 103 psi |
- |
2/5 |
Tensile strength at break, psi |
D638 |
2536-3553 |
Elongation at break, % |
D638 |
200-600 |
Tensile yield strength, psi |
D638 |
601 |
Compressive strength (rupture or yield) psi |
D695 |
1700 |
Flexural strength (rupture or yield) psi |
D790 |
- |
Tensile modulus, 103 psi |
D638 |
80 |
Compressive modulus, 103 psi |
D695 |
60 |
Flexural modulus, 103 psi (23°C) |
D790 |
80 |
Izod Impact, ft·lb/in of notch |
D256A |
120 |
Shore A Hardness |
D2240 |
42 |
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, 10-6 in/in/°C |
D696 |
120 |
Deflection temperature °C (66 psi) |
D648 |
132 |
Specific gravity (g/cm3) |
D792 |
2.28-2.29 |
Water Absorption, % (24 hrs.) |
D570 |
<0.01 |
Dielectric strength short time, v/mil |
D149 |
480 |
Request Testing Quote today from Polyhedron Laboratories
or call us at 281.879.8600