Click here to buy PTFE.PTFE is short for Polytetrafluoroethylene and is considered one of the most slippery materials known to man. PTFE is popular for its heat resistance but has many other advantages and has often been described as one of the most important discoveries in history. PTFE has a maximum constant operating temperature of around plus 250°C and also has a minimum operating temperature of -250°C. PTFE is also an excellent electrical insulator and often chosen when higher than normal insulation is receded. It is also very good with acid resistance and PTFE is selected when high acid and chemical resistance is required.

PTFE Rod
PTFE Rod is often chosen to produce bearings because of its very low friction and also for its free running ability. Because of its ability to conform to shape otherwise known as flow, PTFE Rod is used for seals in valves, this is because it can conform to shape and create a high specification valve seal. PTFE Rod can easily be machined but due to the surface softness, care must be taken in lathe jaws or high compressive loads, which may cause distortion. Another important element to remember regarding PTFE Rod is the coefficient of expansion due to heat changes, this can be uneven with PTFE and may cause distortion in components. PTFE Rod is often made in diameters ranging from 4mm diameter up to a maximum diameter of 500mm diameter and is made in lengths which range from 2000mm in the smaller diameters and much shorter lengths for the larger diameters. PTFE Rod is manufactured in two distinct ways, extruded PTFE Rod is the most popular and is relevant to smaller sizes, moulded PTFE Rod is relevant to the diameters over 120mm in size.

PTFE Sheet
PTFE Sheet is often chosen for very low friction slide ways and wear blocks, PTFE can provide very low resistance with mating components to offer a free running slide way surface requiring minimal momentum to move products or components. PTFE Sheet is also used in lining of cryogenic chambers due to its excellent and rare ability with very low temperatures. Other applications include shims or gaskets for external use, this is because PTFE Sheet is highly resistant to weathering and any environmental long term effects. PTFE Sheet is generally available in sheet sizes of 1200 x 1200, there is also a 1500 x 1500 sheet is available in thickness ranging from 0.25mm up to a usual maximum of 100mm with many interspaced range of sizes to suit customers requirements.