Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE is a versatile fluoropolymer. It is suitable for a wide range of applications in industries as diverse as aero­space, the food and drink industry, pharmaceu­ticals, and telecoms. PTFE’s melting point is around 327°C, and pure PTFE is almost totally chemically inert, highly insoluble in most solvents or chemicals, and thermally stable enough to be used be­ tween -200°C and +260°C without degrading. PTFE’s useful properties are its high flexural strength, even in low temperatures, high electrical resistance and dielectric strength, resistance to water (owing to fluorine’s high electro-negativity), and low coefficient of friction. PTFE’s density is also very high, at 2200 kg/m3.

The biggest advantage of PTFE is its versatility, and the range of applications over so many products and different industries for this material is staggering. The use of PTFE can have massive benefits in manufacturing and engineering, not just in making tubes or liners for han­dling or storing corrosive chemicals, but by coating parts such as bearings or screws to in­ crease the lifetime of both the parts themselves and the machinery they are part of.