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PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene

thick-white-plastic-sheet

PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene

TFE, PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ETFE, ECTFE, PFA, PCTFE and other Fluoropolymers


Virgin PTFE Sheet and PTFE Rod

Virgin PTFE material is used frequently as a bearing or non-stick surface. It is an excellent choice for caustic fluid handling valves and fitting. Massive size range in  extruded rod, molded rod, tubular bar and thin sheet, plate and film. PTFE is also known as: Fluon®, Diakin®, Flouroplastic®, Fluoropolymer®, Neoflon®, Polyfon®, Chemfluor®, and more. PTFE plate, sheets, rods, strip, slab, block and tubes are normal stock items. The entire range of Fluorocarbon materials are high heat and chemical resistant performance plastics.

Other Fluorocarbon Based Materials We Supply in Sheet, Plate and Round Rod: FEP – Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene; PVDF – Poly Vinylidene Difluoride (Kynar®, Tecaflon®, Sustatec® and more); ETFE – Polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene (Tefzel®); ECTFE – Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene; PFA – Perfluoroalkoxy; PCTFE – Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (formerly KEL-F® or Neoflon®)

Virgin-PTFE-sheets-and-rods

Why you should use PTFE (Fluoropolymers):

  • Very slippery and non-stick
  • Wear resistance
  • 500 degrees F continuous use temperature
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Very easy to machine and fabricate
  • PTFE Rod available from .125″ – 6″ as standard
  • Larger sizes are molded per order
  • PTFE Sheet – Film from .005″ – 3″ thickness
  • PTFE Molded Tubing- Vast sizes are available – made to order
  • PTFE is ITAR compliant, and PTFE is RoHS compliant

Frequently used in:

  • Seals, gaskets and stem valves
  • Wear and slide machined parts
  • Chemical resistant fixtures
  • Pump parts and manifolds- from PTFE Rod
  • Scientific aircraft and electronic parts
  • Steam and high temp seals – from PTFE sheet

Material Available As:

PTFE Sheet: .062″ – 4″ in Natural (White) in 48″ X 48″

PTFE Rod: .125″ – 6″ Diameter Natural (White) in 60″ Lengths

PTFE Film: .001″ – .062″ in Natural (White) in 12″ Wide (other widths – require Special Order)

Typical Resin Properties:

General PropertyASTM TestTypical Value
Specific GravityD7922.14 – 2.24
Tensile Strength YieldD6382,500 – 6,000
Tensile ModulusD63880,000
Izod Impact – NotchedD2563.0
Hardness – RockwellD785D50 – D65
Deflection Temp @ 264psiD648150
Deflection Temp @ 66 psiD648250
Co. Thermal ExpansionD6965.5X10-5
These properties are for evaluation purposes only. This information is not to be construed as a warranty, guarantee or assurance that you may achieve the same results. Materials made from different resin types, manufacturing techniques and manufacturers will react differently. The information should be used to compare against other materials only, and each user should make his own tests to determine suitability. No warranty as to this materials suitability are either expressed nor implied.

How to use Industrial PTFE Plastic Rod

How to use Industrial PTFE Plastic Rod

How to use Virgin PTFE Rod

PTFE Rod is a remarkable product. PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene was discovered on April 6, 1938 by Dr. Roy Plunkett at the DuPont research laboratories. And this original PTFE was further developed by Dupont, and was released as a product in 1945.

This product is extremely chemical resistant, and can handle temperatures above 500 degrees. One of the first household uses for PTFE is the ‘PTFE Coated Frying Pan’. While this pan works very well, it is a different process than the PTFE Rod and Sheet we supply. It is a sprayed on coating that is almost black in color, where the pure PTFE Rod and Sheet is bright white in PTFE Round Rod Steam Valve Packingcolor.

What are some of the uses for PTFE TFE Rod?

Because PTFE exhibits high temperature and chemical resistance, it is commonly used in valve applications. From simple steam / hot water valves to high heat, caustic chemical valves in the fluid handling industries. This material is a semi-rigid to rigid plastic, and can be machined very easily – one of the easiest plastics to work with. The PTFE rod can be machined to very close tolerance, and in most small diameter rod it is supplied with a +.002″/-.00″ on the diameter (check for tolerance on your requested size). The chemical resistance is one of the key properties associated with the material. In sheet or thin sheet (film) PTFE is used as gasket material for similar high heat and chemical resistant flange and seals.

PTFE RodPTFE sheet and film - used as gasket material

Since 1945 Dupont has been the world leader in producing PTFE resins. Over the last couple of years, with the global shortage of Fluorspar (a key ingredient in producing all Fluoropolymer Plastics) Dupont has made some changes to their product offerings. Included in this change is a discontinuation of the production of one of most common granular molding powder (resin) used in the production of PTFE Rod and Sheet. This has the industry in a panic, the remaining global suppliers of PTFE resin are scrabbling to fill the void left by this decision. What does this mean to you? If you are used to purchasing PTFE rod or sheet, you may find the base materials may not be from Dupont. Our suppliers have small amounts of the Dupont resin, but mostly are replacing their raw materials with molding powder from other manufacturers. It may be, in the very near future, that all PTFE rod and PTFE sheet may not be made from Dupont brand resin.

Click here for current pricing on PTFE Rod.

UHMW rod is also a very slippery plastic material, but it does not take the high heat the PTFE rod does.

If you are one of the many clients that need this material, please contact us for clarification, information, supply chain news and possible changes in sources of supply. Call us at 866-832-9315 or email us here.

Thank you,

Industrial Plastic Supply

Before You Choose, read 7 Things You Must Know When Choosing Your PTFE Sheet Suppliers.