PTFE is high performance engineering speciality polymer invented by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett at DU Pont's Jackson Laboratory, New Jersey, US, on 6th April 1938. As the polymer was found to have exceptional properties with regards to chemical inertness, heat resistance & frictional properties; developmental manufacturing began in 1943 with joint efforts of kinetic Engineering Inc., USA & E.I. du pont de Nemours & Co. Inc. USA. The commercial production went operational by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Inc., USA in 1948. The worldwide consumption of PTFE is around 45,000 Tones in 1977 & expected to grow at the rate of 10% per annum.

TFE Monomer is generally manufactured by synthesis of Calcium Fluoride (Fluorospar), Sulphuric Acid & Chloroform. The polymerisation of TFE is carried out in carefully controlled conditions to form PTFE.

Due to presence of stable & strong C-F bonds, PTFE molecule possesses outstanding chemical inertness, high heat resistance & remarkable electrical insulation characteristics; in addition to excellent frictional properties.

PTFE polymer is produced worldwide on commercial basis by a number of chemical industries under different registered tradenames such as Du Pont (TEFLON), ICI (FLUON), Hoechst (HOSTAFLON), Montefluos (ALGOFLON), Daikin (POLYFLON), HFL (HIFLON), Nitto Chemicals (TETRAFLON).

PTFE is polymer which is extensively used in chemical, mechanical, electronic & electrical industries due to its unique characteristics.

• Chemical inertness to all known chemicals, however attacked by molten alkali metals, chlorine, trifluorides, fluorine & related fluorine complexes of elevated temperature & pressure.
• Resistance to solvents, insoluble in all solvents upto 260°C. Certain high fluorinated oils swell & dissolve PTFE at temperature close to crystalline melting point.
• Wide operating temperature range -250°C t +260°C, at atmospheric pressure.
• Lowest coefficient of friction among all known metals & nonmetals.
• Nontoxic & antistick properties.
• Negligible water absorption
• Nonflammable
• Resistance to radiations, electrical properties remain practically unchanged during & after irradiation, both in air & vacuum.
• Excellent weathering resistance.
• Outstanding electrical/ insulating properties over wide frequency range.