PTFE Testing Services

Click here to see the Common Properties of PTFE

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.

Applications of PTFE

  • Insulation for connectors and cables, and printed circuit board materials due to its superior dielectric properties.
  • Seals due to the material "creep" that allows it to conform to the mating surface.
  • Coatings on bearings, gears, slides and any other parts that require movement of parts.
  • Containers and equipment in highly corrosive environments such as laboratories and plants using chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid.
  • Consumer products such as cooking utensils and supplies to provide non-stick surfaces, and electronic products such as computer mice that require smooth movement across surfaces.
  • Safety and sealing tapes, largely in plumbing applications, due to its ability to repel liquids and for resilience.
  • Wiring for aerospace industry 
  • PTFE is also commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cryogenic industries 

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!

Common Properties of PTFE

PROPERTIESASTM TEST METHODCOMMON 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