Engineering Plastic
PTFE (Teflon)
The chemical and temperature extreme: inert to almost everything, the lowest friction of any solid, and a huge service range — but soft, weak, and creep-prone.
Last verified: 2026-07-10
| PolymerChemistry / common trade name. | Polytetrafluoroethylene |
|---|---|
| Density(g/cm³)Typical specific gravity. | 2.17 |
| Tensile(MPa)Typical tensile strength (unfilled grade). | 25 |
| Max service(°C)Typical continuous service temperature. | 260 |
| Water abs.(%)Typical 24 h water absorption. | 0.01 |
| Machinability | Fair |
| Known forThe property it's usually chosen for. | Chemical inertness + lowest friction |
- Typical uses: seals and gaskets, chemical-handling parts, insulators, low-friction bearings, lined components.
- Virtually chemically inert and stable from cryogenic to ~260 °C; lowest friction of any solid.
- Soft and creeps under load (cold flow); glass- or bronze-filled grades add stiffness and wear resistance.
Other engineering plastics
Sources
- Manufacturer datasheets (typical properties for common unfilled grades)
- ASM International — Engineering Plastics (Engineered Materials Handbook)