What is Teflon?

You can find answers to your questions such as what is teflon, where is teflon used, what are its chemical properties below.

Teflon is the commercial name of a polymer that is resistant to heat, chemicals, moisture, electric arcing, and friction. The chemical name of the monomer of teflon is tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). It is produced by other companies other than Pont under different names. Teflon, which was launched in 1944, has a molecular structure consisting of a long and straight carbon chain saturated with fluorine atoms. It has superior properties that are not found in any other polymer due to the very strong chemical bonds between carbon and fluorine atoms.

The Power of Teflon

Teflon is resistant to temperatures between -260°C and +327°C. It does not stick to any substance, its friction coefficient is lower than that of all solid objects. Its electrical insulation is superior to all insulators under all conditions.

 

What are the Chemical Properties of Teflon?

In obtaining tetrafluoroethylene, starting from hexachloroethane, 1.2 dichloro, 1-1, 2-2 tetrafluoroethane is obtained. If this is reacted with zinc, tetrafluoroethylene is obtained. It is also possible to obtain tetrafluoroethylene starting from chloroform. The tetrafluoroethylene obtained is polymerized by the catalytic effect of peroxide at high temperature.

nCF 2 = CF 2 › [-CF 2 -CF 2 -CF 2 -CF 2 -] n/2

Du Pont, one of the two companies that manufactures poly tetrafluoroethylene, gave this substance the trade name teflon; Allied Chemical gave it the trade name halon. Since the polymer obtained is not sticky and is resistant to heat and mechanical pressure, it is synthesized under very high pressures at 300-400°C in special molds according to the purpose of use and formed into logs.

Alkaline metals such as pure sodium, pure potassium in molten or dissolved form, fluorine gas, affect teflon under high temperature and pressure. Apart from this, it is an excellent substance with the best properties of use in materials such as metal, plastic, wood, ceramics with its resistance to ultraviolet rays, ozone, humidity, heat, salt and similar substances.

What are the Features of Teflon?

Main features of Teflon:

  • Specific gravity (gr/cm 3 ): 2.1-2.2
  • Tensile strength (kg/cm 2 ): 140-380
  • Compressive strength (kg/cm 2 ): 45-50
  • Flexural modulus (kg/cm 2 ): 3500-6300
  • Coefficient of friction (dynamic): 0.06
  • Thermal conductivity (cal/cm °C): 5.5-6.6×10 -4
  • Operating temperature (°C): -260 +270
  • Dielectric strength (KV): 40-80 (0.1 mm)
  • Volume resistance (ohm-cm): 1018 resistance (ohm): 1016
  • Resistance to chemicals: Excellent.

Where is Teflon Used?

Since it is expensive, its area of ​​use is limited. However, it is preferred in various industrial branches. The most common areas of use are high temperature resistant gaskets, felts, tapes, valve sets, packings, conveyor belts and rollers, chemical resistant pipes, mixers, laboratory devices, filters, diaphragms, electrical voltage resistant cable insulators, insulators, various insulator parts required for electrical devices and friction resistant oil-free bearings and bushings in the machine industry, sliding bearings for bridges and buildings, rings and oil scraper warts, pneumatic and hydraulic parts manufacturing. Teflon has superior qualities that cannot be compared to metals, plastics and other substances.