PTFE is the brand name of the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
PTFE has the lowest coefficient of friction of any known solid material. PTFE is very non-reactive, and so is often used in containers and pipework for reactive chemicals. Its melting point is 327 degrees celcius.
Other polymers with similar composition are known with the PTFE name: fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA). They retain the useful properties of PTFE of low friction and non-reactivity, but are more easily formable. FEP is softer than PTFE and melts at 260 degrees celcius; it’s highly transparent and resistant to sunlight. PTFE is sometimes said to be a spin-off from the U.S. space program with more down-to-earth applications. PTFE has excellent dielectric properties. This is especially true at high radio frequencies, making it eminently suitable for use as an insulator in cables and connector assemblies and as a material for printed circuit boards used at microwave frequencies. Combined with its high melting temperature, this makes it the material of choice as a high performance substitute for the weaker and more meltable polyethylene that is commonly used in low-cost applications. Its extremely high bulk resistivity makes it an ideal material for fabricating long life electrets, useful devices that are the electrostatic analogues of magnets.
Due to its low friction, it is used for applications where sliding action of parts is needed: bearings, bushings, gears, slide plates, etc. In these applications it performs significantly better than Nylon® and acetal.
View the PTFE Material Properties Chart
View the Rulon® Material Properties Chart
Material Highlights:
- Low co-efficient of friction
- Excellent wear and abrasion resistance properties
- Excellent mechanical strength
- Easily machined
- Chemically inert and corrosion resistant
- Continuous operating temperature of up to 500°F
- FDA Compliant
Manufacturing Capabilities:
- CNC Machining
- CNC Milling
- CNC Turning
- Fabrication Services
- Machining
Some of the machined parts we do are:
- Back-Up Rings
- Bearings
- Blocks
- Bushings
- Cams
- Gaskets
- Guides
- Medical Parts
- Nozzles
- Rollers
- Seals
- Semiconductor Parts
- Sleeves
- Spacers
- Valve Seats
- Washers
- Wear Pads
- Wear Rings
Rulon®
One of Saint-Gobain trade names for their family of reinforced proprietary PTFE compounds (see also Fluoroloy). This family of materials offers the combination of high compressive strengths, low coefficient of friction, and excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance. There are many different types of Rulon® produced for specific applications.
Material Highlights:
- High compression strength
- Low co-efficient of friction
- Excellent wear and abrasion resistance properties
- Corrosion resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Good electrical properties
- Runs without lubrication
- Tolerates extreme temperatures
- No “slip stick”
Applications
- Bearing, seals and piston cups
- Food and drug
- Chemical
- Vacuum
- High heat and impact