PTFE

PTFE Virgin Grade Sheet, Poltytetrafluoroethylene, (PTFE), Molded Sheet, Film, Plate, Rod, Tube

recognized as the first fluorocarbon material in the world and referred to as PTFE Molded, Sheet, Film, Plate, Rod, Tube or TFE, it is the most chemically resistant plastic known. It has a working temperature range of minus 400°F to 500°F, excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties and a low coefficient of friction.

With a non-stick surface, very few materials will adhere to it (See – Chemical Etching link below) and those that stick can easily be peeled or rubbed off. PTFE’s mechanical properties are lower than other engineering plastics, but that can be improved by adding fillers such as glass fiber, carbon, graphite, molybdenum disulfide and bronze.

Common applications include, food processing, electrical parts, insulators, medical components, seals, bearings and high heat situations.

Note: Virgin grade sheet is made from unreprocessed PTFE resin and costs more then the less expensive “mechanical grade” PTFE sheet, which is made from reprocessed PTFE resin. Modern Plastics offers both grades.

Other attributes of PTFE Virgin Sheet products include:

  • Temperature range of -400°F to 500°F
  • Low coefficient of friction
  • Easy to machine
  • Excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties
  • Many filler options available

Available Fills: Glass, Carbon, Graphite, Calcium, Ceramic, Bronze, Moly-Disulphide and Colors.

Property Comparison Chart of Various Fluoropolymers -Modern Plastics

Property ASTM test method/test conditio PTFE PFA FEP ETFE CTFE

Physical Properties

Specific gravity D792 D570/24 hrs 1/2″t 2.13~2.22 2.12~2.17 2.12~2.17 1.70~1.76 2.10~2.18
Water absorption (%) <0.00 <0.03 <0.01 <0.1 <0.00
Mold shrinkage (cm/cm) 0.02 ~0.05 0.04 0.03~0.06 0.03~0.04 0.015~0.020
Contact angle (degree) Angle to level 110 115 115 96 84

Thermal Properties

Thermal conductivity (cal/sec/cm) C177 6 X 10-4 6 X 10-4 5.7 X 10-4 4.7~5.3
X 10-4
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion (1/°C) D696/23~60°C 10 X 10-5 12 X 10-5
8.3~10.5
X 10-5
5~9 X 10-5 4.5 ~ 7.0 X
10-5
Melting point (°C) 327 302~310 270 260 210~212
Melt viscosity (coise) 10-11~10-13
(340-380°C)
10-4~10-5
(380°C)
4X10-4
~10-5
(380°C)
10-4~10-5
(300-330°C)
10-7
(23°C)
Maximum temp. for continuous use
(°C/°F)
260/500 260/500 200/392 150/302 120/248
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength
(kgf/cm2)
D638/23°C 140~350 280~315 190~220 410~470 320~420
Elongation (%) D638/23°C 200~400 280~300 250~330 420~440 80~250
Compression strength (kgf/cm2) D695/1% deformation, 25°C 50~60 50~60 50~60 109 90~120
Tensile modulus
(kgf/cm2)
D638/23°C 4,000 3,500 5,000~8,000 10,500~21,000
Hexural Modulus
(kgf/cm2)
D790/23°C 5,000~6,000 6,600~7,000 5,500~6,500 9,000~14,000 13,000~18,000
Impact strength
(ft-lb/ln)
D256/23°C lzod 3.0 No breakdown No breakdown 2.5~2.7
Hardness (Shore) Durometer D50~D65 D60 D55 D75 D90
Deformation under load (%) D621/100°C
70 kfg/cm2,
24 hrs
D621/25°C
140 kgf/cm2,
24 hrs
5.07.0 2.42.7 5.03.0 5.42.3 2.60.2
Static friction coefficient Coated steel surface 0.02 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.08

Electrical Properties
Dielectric constant D150/103Hz
D150/108Hz
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.6
2.6
2.3~2.7
2.3~2.5
Dielectric dissipation factor D150/103HZ
D150/108HZ
<1 X 10-5
2 X 10-5
1 X 10-5
3 X 10-5
6 X 10-5
5 X 10-5
8 X 10-4
5 X 10-3
(2.3~2.7)
X10-2
1 X 10-2
Dielectric breakdown
strength (V/ml)
D149/Short time, 1/8 in 480 500 500~600 400 500
Volume resistivity (ohm-cm) D257 >10-18 >10-18 >10-18 >10-18 >10-18
Chemical resistance Weatherability Combustibility (%)
D2863/Oxygen
concentration index
ExcellentExcellent
>95
ExcellentExcellent
>95
ExcellentExcellent
>95
ExcellentExcellent
>31
ExcellentExcellent
>95
Typical Filler Properties
Filler
Physical Form
Amount (% Weight)
Effect of Filler

Glass Fibers
Milled Fibers
up to 40%
(also in combination with graphite, MoS2 and carbon)
  • increased compressive strength
  • increased rigidity
  • increased wear resistance
  • reduced cold flow
  • resistant to organic solvent
CarbonCarbon Fibers

Powder

Milled Fibers

up to 25%
(also in combination with graphite, bronze, and glass)
up to 30%
  • increased comprehensive strength
    increased hardness increased wear resistance improved thermal conductivity good dry running properties electrically conductive at higher filler contents
  • resistant to hydrofluoric acid
Graphite
Powder
up to 25%
(also in combination with glass, bronze, and carbon)
  • improved sliding properties
  • reduced coefficient of friction
  • improved thermal conductivity
Bronze
Powder
up to 60%
(also in combination with carbon, graphite, and MoS2))
  • increased comprehensive strength increased hardness increased wear resistance improved thermal conductivity
  • reduced cold flow
Molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)
Powder
up to 5%
(also in combination with glass and bronze)
  • improved sliding properties
  • increased wear resistance
Stainless Steel
Powder
up to 60%
  • improved thermal conductivity reduced cold flow
  • resistant to most chemicals
Pigments
Powder
up to 2%
  • for coloring
    (identification)

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