What is PTFE? (with pictures) What is PTFE? Last Modified Date: 09 January 2017 Copyright Protected: You won't believe these 10 facts about people Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic material accidentally invented in the late 1930s while a chemist was endeavoring to develop a new type of perfluorethylene-based refrigerant. Rather than achieving a chlorofluorocarbon, the scientist was surprised to find that the perfluorethylene used in the process reacted with the iron content of its container and polymerized under pressure. Less than a decade later, this new material was being distributed on a commercial scale and was eventually patented under the name Teflon®. It would be another 20 years before this material would hit the frying pan and become known as the first non-stick coating for cookware, however. In fact, this material was used for a variety of other purposes at first. During World War II, PTFE was used to prevent the escape of radioactive materials from the facility designated to produce the first atomic bomb in the U.S., an objective dubbed as the Manhattan Project.

This facility represented an impressive piece of real estate with more 2,000,000 square feet (609,600 sq. meters) in which to house uranium hexafluoride. Not only is this substance highly toxic and corrosive in its own right, but it also forms a dangerous gas known as hydrogen fluoride in the presence of water or water vapor. For this reason, PTFE was used as a coating for pipefittings to make them leak proof. Ad The exceptional insulating properties of this material made its use in electronic components ideal. For one thing, it is non-conductive, making it resistant to high electric fields. It is also highly resistant to water, heat, and chemical corrosion . In fact, it continues to be used to produce laboratory equipment and accessories that come into contact with hydrofluoric acid, which would otherwise dissolve other materials, even glass. PTFE also possesses very low frictional properties, which is expressed as frictional coefficient. This measurement is relative and differs according to the materials brought into contact to generate or simulate friction. In terms of plastics, friction is usually observed against polished steel.

To put the low friction coefficient of PTFE into proper perspective, it is the only known synthetic surface material to which the toe pads of a gecko fail to stick. This quality makes it suitable for manufacturing parts that need to resist friction, such as gears and ball bearings . This material was eventually introduced to American households by Marion Trozzolo, founder of Laboratory Plasticware Fabricators. While Trozzolo had been producing Teflon®-coated scientific tools for a number of years, he became inspired by a French engineer who found it such an effective non-stick coating for his fishing gear that he later treated his wife’s pots and pans with it. While this experiment led to the production of cookware known as Tefal (T-Fal®) in France in the mid-1950s, Trozzolo became the first U.S. producer of Teflon®-coated cookware. In fact, "The Happy Pan," launched in 1961, earned a place of historical significance in the Smithsonian Institute and Trozzolo a name of distinction in the Plastics Hall of Fame.

Ad Polytetrafluoroethylene You can view the 3D image of PPO by clicking here or just click on the image itself. Be sure to close the new window that opens up when you are ready to come back here. For polytetrafluoroethylene at a glance, click here ! Polytetrafluoroethylene is better known by the trade name Teflon®. It's used to make non-stick cooking pans, and anything else that needs to be slippery or non-stick. PTFE is also used to treat carpets and fabrics to make them stain resistant. What's more, it's also very useful in medical applications. Because human bodies rarely reject it, it can be used for making artificial body parts. Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is made of a carbon backbone chain, and each carbon has two fluorine atoms attached to it. It's usually drawn like the picture at the top of the page, but it may be easier to think of it as it's drawn in the picture below, with the chain of carbon atoms being thousands of atoms long. PTFE is a vinyl polymer , and its structure, if not its behavior, is similar to polyethylene .

Polytetrafluoroethylene is made from the monomer tetrafluoroethylene by free radical vinyl polymerization . And for those of you who are wondering, the monomer tetrafluoroethylene looks like this: You can view the 3D image of TFE by clicking here or just click on the image itself. Be sure to close the new window that opens up when you are ready to come back here. Fluorine is a very strange element. When it's part of a molecule, it doesn't like to be around other molecules or even the fluorine atoms on other molecules. But it likes other kinds of molecules even less. So a molecule of PTFE, being just chock full of fluorine atoms as it is, would like to be as far away from other molecules as it can get. For this reason, the molecules at the surface of a piece of PTFE will repel the molecules of just about anything that tries to come close to it. This is why nothing sticks to PTFE. Because it's non-stick, PTFE means you can fry things without grease or butter. This means less fat and cholesterol, for a healthier heart. The Big Question...

The question remains then: If nothing will stick to this stuff, how does it stick to the surface of the frying pan? DuPont knows, but they're not telling! So, a while back we had a "What do you think?" section here, and we asked: "If you were designing frying pans, and you had to make non-stick PTFE stick to frying pans, how would you do it?" We received a bunch of neat ideas from nice smart people just like you. You can read some of the ideas and our input, too, right here . Before you go there, though - think about it first - how would you get PTFE to stick to the pan? (And here's a hint: melting PTFE doesn't help. First, because you'd have to heat it to over 300 o to melt it, which is impractical for making something cheap like frying pans. Second, melting PTFE doesn't make it stickier. It just turns form a solid that nothing sticks to into a molten goo that nothing sticks to.

And a third hint, roughening the surface of the pan won't help, either, because that only increases the area of the two surfaces which will repel each other, increasing the repulsive force.) How to be Inert PTFE is more than just slippery. It's also useful because it won't react with anything. Why, you ask? First of all, if it repels everything, then no molecule can get near it to react with it! PTFE is kind of like a sad person who tries protect him or herself from emotional pain by never opening up to anyone. Then there's the fact that the bond between the fluorine atom and the carbon atom is just really, really strong. The bond is almost bullet proof! It's so stable that nothing will react with it. Even when it gets as hot as a frying pan, not even oxygen will react with it! Whoops! Polytetrafluoroethylene is another of those amazing accidental discoveries of science. In the late 1930s, when PTFE was discovered in DuPont's laboratories, DuPont was not at all concerned with nonstick frying pans or artificial heart valves. What they were really interested in was refrigeration.

At the time, refrigerators used things like ammonia and sulfur dioxide as refrigerants. These are pretty nasty things to have leaking out of your refrigerator and into your kitchen. The quest was on, then, to make a non-toxic refrigerant. One of the compounds being investigated was tetrafluoroethylene. One chemist at DuPont who was working on the project was named Roy Plunkett. Know him? He once had a roommate named Paul Flory. One day Roy Plunkett opened up a brand new tank of tetrafluoroethylene gas, and nothing came out! He weighed it, and sure enough it was full. So he sawed the tank open and found a white powder where the gas was supposed to be. That powder, of course, was PTFE, polymerized from tetrafluoroethylene gas. This is the kind of accident that makes science fun. There are kinds of accidents in science which aren't fun, say, those that involve large explosions and huge clouds of toxic gasses, but we won't talk about those right now. The fun kind of accident, which all scientists hope for, is an unexpected discovery which opens up a whole new area of investigation.

This kind makes you famous and gets you lots of research grants, if you work at a university. If you work for a chemical company, it makes a lot of money for the corporate shareholders, and then you get to keep your job when downsizing time comes. And then someday you might get your name mentioned in an educational website. Source:Roberts, Royston M.; Serendipity: Accidental Discoveries in Science; John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1989. PTFE Facts PTFE is a fluoropolymer possessing a unique combination of frictional, chemical, thermal, and electrical properties. It has a non-stick nature, is non-wetting and is self-lubricating. PTFE has outstanding chemical resistance and is unaffected by all known chemicals except alkali metals and under certain conditions, fluorine. PTFE has excellent weather resistance and has an extremely wide working temperature range. It is the best of the solid dielectrics and an excellent insulator. This highly unique material was accidentally discovered by DuPont chemist, Roy Plunkett, in 1938, while he was working with Freon gasses.

The residual powder that remained in the Freon canister after experimentation came to be known as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), later to be registered and patented by DuPont as Teflon® .Years later PTFE material would be used extensively in the industrialized world where its special characteristics are well-suited for the requirements of a vast assortment of applications. Today PTFE resin is manufactured and trademarked worldwide by many chemical companies. Some of the more common names are: Teflon® a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours et cie. Dyneon® a registered trademark of Dyneon Polyflon® a registered trademark of Daikin Algoflon® a registered trademark of Solvay Solexis Without regard to what it is being called, the one thing that remains unchanged is that the simple name is PTFE. PTFE WHat is it used for? What does PTFE stand for? Emergency Plumber PTFE What does PTFE stand for and what can you use it on? PTFE stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene and is used amongst plumbers, but is also very useful for emergency plumbers.

(PTFE) was discovered back in 1938 by a guy called Roy Plunkett, who worked for Kinetic Chemicals. Just below are some common question and the best answers when it comes to Polytetrafluoroethylene. What is PTFE used for? How many time should the PTFE go around a radiator thread? Can PTFE be used on Gas? Can PTFE be used to wrap around pipe to stop leaky pipes? What is PTFE used for? PTFE know as Polytetrafluoroethylene is used in the plumbing industry but is also used outside the plumbing industry. The plumber would use Polytetrafluoroethylene mostly on the male thread of a radiator valve going into the radiator. Emergency plumbers normally use PTFE on emergencies when it comes to old fitting that will not tighten up more than they should do. Some people get a little mixed up when using Polytetrafluoroethylene on fitting and must be aware that any PTFE should go on the olive rather than the thread as the thread will only make this harder to complete the work and more than likely cause a leak and resulting in the customer searching around for emergency plumbers.

How many time should the Polytetrafluoroethylene go around a radiator thread? Putting PTFE around a thread is normally picked up when a plumber does his plumbing apprentice. Some plumbers would go around about 12 times and quiet often are called back to leaks. Some would go around twice the amount and break what ever there going into. As long as this is a normal plumber’s Polytetrafluoroethylene then the best amount of times to go around would be 18 times. PTFE also comes in a paste form where compounds can also be added for extra protection. Can PTFE be used on Gas? There is also a Gas PTFE, which is about 3 times thicker, but is also more expensive due to the extra quality. Can PTFE be used to wrap around pipe to stop leaky pipes? Wrapping PTFE may slow the leak down on the pipe if there is no pressure in the water, but will not stop the water leak, as this is another mistake that people do when trying to stop a water leak, which include other type of sealants such as silicone. In most cases this results in the customer looking around for emergency plumbers .

Processing Teflon® Using Laser Technology Teflon® Processing Teflon® Using Digital Laser Material Processing (DLMP®) Technology Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is commonly known by the brand name Teflon®. It is a synthetic fluoropolymer most noted for its anti-stick, water-repelling, chemical resistant and temperature resistant properties. Due to its exceptional properties, Teflon is suited for the most demanding environments in commercial, industrial, and aerospace applications. The carbon-fluorine bond that dominates the molecular structure makes Teflon resistant to the most aggressive chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid. Teflon also exhibits very high dielectric strength combined with a high melting point (327°C) and flexibility at low temperature (as low as -79°C). Teflon is available in many shapes and colors. It is most abundant in sheet, tube, and rod shapes. The most common colors are white and black. Teflon is usually chemically pure, meaning no plasticizers or fillers are added.

Related Names DuPont™, AGC Chemicals Teflon® and DLMP® Technology The materials properties of Teflon, such as high melting temperature and absence of cross-linking, make it highly compatible with DLMP (Digital Laser Material Processing) technology which utilizes laser energy to modify the shape or appearance of a material. The effects of the laser energy interaction with Teflon are material ablation and material modification. In the case of Teflon, the processes of laser cutting, laser engraving, and laser marking can be applied. The laser energy can ablate material to cut, engrave, or mark the material, or it can change the surface properties to create a visible mark. Gallery Material Ablation Material ablation is a physical process that removes material. Material is removed completely from the top to the bottom surface or partially from the top of the material down to a specified depth. Teflon is an excellent absorber of CO2 laser energy (wavelength=10.6 µm). When Teflon absorbs laser energy, it rapidly converts optical energy into molecular vibrations (heat).

With sufficient heat, Teflon undergoes “scission”, where the bonds between repeating units are broken cleanly, without significant degradation of the base unit. Material directly in the laser path is cleanly ablated away into vapor and a fine Teflon powder. For these reasons, CO2 lasers are commonly employed for laser ablation of Teflon. The material just outside of the laser’s spot or path will conduct some heat, but not enough for complete and thorough ablation. This area of thermal affect is often referred to as the heat affected zone or HAZ. In the case of Teflon, virtually no HAZ is created because Teflon possesses a high melting temperature; this means adjacent surfaces can withstand conducted heat without melting or boiling. Heat effects can be minimized by selecting an appropriate laser power for a given thickness of material. Laser Cutting Laser cutting is the complete removal and separation of material from the top surface to the bottom surface along a designated path. Due to its high melt temperature, and inherent purity, Teflon ablates cleanly from the bulk material. The edges that result from laser cutting Teflon are smooth and free from discoloration sometimes associated with thermal processes.

Laser cutting Teflon will produce a fine powder of PTFE particles that can be easily cleaned with a dry cloth. The capability shown can be extended to nearly any shape, even complex and closely-spaced cuts. Laser cut 0.25" thick diamond shape from white Teflon Laser Engraving Laser engraving is the process by which material is removed from the top surface down to a specified depth. This is possible due to tight control over laser modulation. By continuously varying the laser energy, laser engraving can be used for textures, photographs, and information, such as text and numbers. Teflon can be engraved cleanly without discoloration or melting. Again, this is due to its high melt temperature and purity. A channel created by laser engraving Laser Marking (Depth) When the laser energy is used to produce a human- and/or machine-readable identification or information on a material, such as a barcode, date/lot code, serial number or part number, the process is considered laser marking with depth or laser depth marking, although it is essentially engraving into the material. Laser depth marking overcomes a long-standing challenge with Teflon.

Using ink-based methods to identify Teflon parts always fails because the ink simply won't stick to the surface. DLMP technology creates permanent engravings without the hassle of handling messy inks. Serial number, font size 24 applied to black Tefon using laser depth marking Material Modification As discussed, Teflon absorbs 10.6 µm laser energy readily and ablates cleanly. However, the CO2 laser is ineffective at creating contrast. Fiber lasers operating at 1.06 µm are also ineffective at creating contrast on pure white Teflon. In fact, Teflon is often used as a light diffuser at this wavelength. There is a method, however, of producing contrast on black Teflon. The carbon black pigment used to create black Teflon absorbs fiber laser energy very well. This energy is converted into heat, which is conducted by the polymer matrix. When properly controlled, the polymer will begin to boil, creating more surface area. The additional surfaces refract, resulting in a high contrast, off-white mark on black Teflon. This process, sometimes referred to as bleaching or foaming, leaves no residue or powder, and the marked areas retain the properties of Teflon.

Laser Marking (Surface) Black Teflon can be marked with a fiber laser to convey information, such as numbers, text, barcodes, and even photographs. The mark is permanent and exhibits high contrast, making it an attractive alternative to inking methods. The example shows a serial number marked on the surface of black Teflon. Serial number, font size 24, marked on the surface of black Tefon Combined Processes Multiple processes can be applied to Teflon without having to move or re-fixture the material. The example image demonstrates how processes can be combined to cut Teflon from sheet stock, engrave a diamond shape into the material, and surface mark a serial number. Engraving and marking are always done before cutting in a combined process. Laser cut and marked black Teflon Environmental, Health & Safety Considerations Laser material interactions almost always create gaseous effluent and/or particulate. The primary decomposition mechanism of Teflon® when using laser ablation processes is scission; smaller particles of Teflon are ablated from the material and deposited in a fine white powder.

Gaseous phase effluent is also present and includes carbonyl fluoride, fluoroform, hexafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoropropylene. These gases and particulate should be routed to an exterior environment in accordance with government regulations. Alternatively, the effluent can be treated with a filtration system first and then routed to an exterior environment. Some materials have a propensity to generate flammable byproducts during laser processing. Therefore, laser processing should always be supervised. Difference Between PFA and PTFE | Difference Between Difference Between PFA and PTFE • Categorized under Chemistry | Difference Between PFA and PTFE PFA vs PTFE Ask what fluoropolymers are to the man on the street, and they’ll give you a blank look or an expression that has all the indications that they think you are a “nerd” for asking such a technical question. But mention “Teflon,” and most people will know that it’s mostly used in frying pans for its “non-stick” qualities. What may come as a surprise is that Teflon isn’t the only form of fluoropolymer used in the world.

There are actually several types available though the most popular ones are produced by the same company, DuPont Co. Of those available in the market, the most common fluoropolymers are PFA and PTFE due to their unique qualities and versatility. PFA, or Perfluoroalkoxy, is a type of fluoropolymer. It has very similar properties as the more common polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is the more popularly known form of Teflon. PFA was conceived by DuPont Co. and is given the brand name Teflon PFA. The difference it has from the resins of PTFE is that PFA is melt processable. This is accomplished through conventional injection molding as well as screw extrusion techniques. PFA is generally used for plastic lab equipment because of its extreme resistance to chemical attack, optical transparency, and overall flexibility. PFA is also used often as tubing for handling critical or highly corrosive processes. Other applications for PFA are as sheet linings for chemical equipment. Because of its properties, it can facilitate the use of carbon steel fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs) as replacements for more expensive alloys and metals.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), on the other hand, is also a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. DuPont Co. is the most well-known producer of PTFE which, as mentioned before, is the material most people know as Teflon. Building from the accidental discovery of Roy Plunkett, PTFE is a high-molecular-weight compound comprised of carbon and fluorine. Essentially, it is a fluorocarbon solid. It is hydrophobic, meaning water or substances containing water can get it wet due to the fluorocarbon’s characteristic of having mitigated London dispersion forces. Thus, PTFE possesses a very low coefficient of friction when in contact with solids. This is because of the high electronegativity of fluorine. Other than Teflon, PTFE is also commonly called Fluon and Syncolon. PTFE is popularly used as a non-stick coating for pans and many modern items of cookware. PTFE is often used in containers and pipes for handling reactive and corrosive chemicals. This is because of having non-reactive properties. Another practical application of PTFE is as a lubricant.

Used in this way, PTFE helps to reduce friction within machinery, minimize the “wear and tear,” and improves energy consumption. PFA is superior to PTFE in terms of flexibility, particularly when it comes to tubing applications. On the other hand, PFA’s flex life (i.e., capacity to endure repetitive folding) is lower than PTFE. PTFE is slightly more resistant to heat than PFA. PFA is more affected by water absorption and weathering but is superior to PTFE when it comes to salt spray resistance. The most significant quality of PFA over PTFE is its electrical properties. It possesses the dielectric constant of PTFE as well as a very similar dissipation factor; yet PFA has a dielectric strength three to four times higher than PTFE. Teflon is one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century, having many applications both practical and technical in our modern world. It’s good to know there is more than one form, such as PFA and PTFE, which caters to specific needs and uses.

Summary: Difference Between PTFE and PFA | PTFE vs PFA Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Difference Between PTFE and PFA Difference Between PTFE and PFA Posted on Key Difference – PTFE vs. PFA PTFE and PFA are abbreviations for two synthetic polymers , Polytetrafluoroethylene and Perfluoroalkoxy respectively. They are fluoropolymers and share most properties in common. The most commonly known and widely used fluoropolymer is PTFE; also known as Teflon and the brand name of PFA is Teflon PFA. The key difference between PTFE and PFA comes from the resins that are used to make the polymer. PFA is melt processable and more versatile than Teflon; however, PTFE has excellent properties such as less water absorbent and stand against weathering. What is PTFE? The commercial name of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is Teflon; a fluoropolymer with advanced properties such as high chemical resistance, low and high-temperature capability, resistance to weathering , low friction , electrical and thermal insulation , and “slipperiness.

However, mechanical properties of PTFE are relatively low compared to other plastics ; but remains stable over a wide temperature range. Different techniques are used to fabricate PTFE resins to form parts; ram extrusion, screw extrusion, compression molding, and paste extrusion with an extrusion aid. Three basic steps are common in these all techniques: cold forming, sintering, and cooling. What is PFA? PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) is a fully fluorinated, translucent polymer and is commercially popular as Teflon PFA. It is marginally flexible polymer material with a low friction coefficient and exceptional non-stick properties. Moreover, it is a strong and hard material that shows high resistance to stress cracking and does not react with nearly all chemicals and solvents. In addition, PFA possesses a good temperature tolerant capacity and can be used in both high and low-temperature conditions. Its dielectric constant is excellent and chemical stability is also very high. In producing PFA, it is melted and processed at very high temperatures; therefore it is extremely difficult to mold the PFA resin . Due to this fact, it is highly crystalline, viscous and extremely shear sensitive.

What is the difference between PTFE and PFA? Structure: PTFE: The PTFE has the repeating unit of -C2F4-, it contains only carbon and fluorine atoms. PFA: The repeating unit of PFA polymer is given in the below. All the carbon atoms are fully fluorinated, and two carbon atoms are bonded together via an oxygen atom (-C-O-C). Properties: PTFE: PTFE is a hydrophobic synthetic polymer with a low friction coefficient. It has excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties. It has high-density value and cannot be melt processed. To form required shapes, it needs to compress and sinter. Its mechanical properties are comparative to with other plastics; however mechanical properties can be enhanced by adding fillers. PFA: PFA is known as a flexible polymer with excellent chemical resistant and temperature tolerant properties. However, it is less heat resistant than PTFA. It has good dielectric properties, and the dielectric constant is equal to 2.1. Applications: PTFE: Teflon is popular as a non-stick coating in cooking pans and other modern items of cookware.

It is also used in containers and pipes when handling corrosive and highly reactive chemicals due to its non-reactive properties. The other common application of PTFE is the use of as a lubricant to reduce friction in machinery. PFA: PFA is commonly used to produce plastic laboratory equipment since it is optically transparent, flexible and chemically resistant to nearly all chemicals and solvents.It is also commonly used for tubing in handling critical or highly corrosive processes. In addition, PFA is used as sheet linings for chemical equipment, because it can use as an alternative for more expensive alloys and metals as a carbon steel fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs). 1. Teflon items By Cjp24 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons 2. “ Pfa tubing “. [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikipedia Related posts: What is Teflon&Reg;? (with pictures) What is Teflon&Reg;?

Last Modified Date: 10 January 2017 Copyright Protected: Adorable animal families that will make you "aww" Teflon® is a brand of polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE ), a solid polymer that is considered to be one of the world's most slippery substances. Accidentally invented in 1938 a laboratory in Deepwater, New Jersey, in the United States, Teflon® has applications in a wide range of areas, including household goods, the aerospace industry, electronics and industrial processes. Teflon® is produced by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, also known as DuPont. History PTFE is a fluorocarbon, a compound made up of carbon and fluorine, and it has the molecular formula (C2F4)n. A chemist named Roy Plunkett accidentally invented PTFE while trying to create a new chlorofluorocarbon in a New Jersey laboratory operated by Kinetic Chemicals Inc., a company that was co-founded by DuPont and General Motors. Plunkett discovered that the white, wax-like substance that was created during one of his experiments was extremely slippery and water-resistant.

The substance was patented in 1941, and the Teflon® trademark was registered in 1945. Qualities Teflon® has a coefficient of friction against polished steel of 0.05 to 0.1, which is one of the lowest for any solid that has been measured. This makes it suitable for use in applications that require reduced friction between two solids, such as gears or sliding parts. It also is hydrophobic, which means that it repels water instead of getting wet. Among PTFE's other qualities that make it beneficial for many uses are its high melting point and its electrical insulating properties. Uses In the 21st century, in addition to its widespread use in manufacturing and industry, PTFE is used on all sorts of everyday items. Many people are familiar with non-stick cooking pots and pans that have been coated with Teflon®. Automobile wiper blades also are commonly coated with PTFE, which helps keep the blades from squeaking as they pass back and forth across the windshield. PTFE also is used as a carpet or fabric protector because it repels liquids, allowing spills to be wiped up without leaving a stain.

It has been used on all-weather clothing, to coat eyeglass lenses, as a fingernail protector and even in a line of haircare products. Safety There has been some concern about the safety of PTFE, especially in cookware. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) have stated that the use of this coating on cookware and other items commonly used by people does not pose a concern. DuPont has said that Teflon® coatings do begin to deteriorate at or above 500° Fahrenheit (260° Celsius), a temperature higher than that at which most foods are cooked. Teflon®-coated pans are not recommended for cooking techniques that require very high temperatures, such as broiling. Ad anon282606 Post 36 @anon63354: If DuPont was fined by the EPA, then why would the EPA not ban Teflon? My mother, grandmother and I have been using Teflon pots/pans for years (decades) without any problems.

I do not heat an empty pan and I never put my electrical stove on HI but keep it in the 7-8 range (it takes longer to boil that way though). I only use plastic and wood utensils, never metal. Like someone else pointed out, there are tons of pollutants and gases in our everyday life, so why not be concerned about that too? You're not going to stop driving your car are you? anon277056 Post 35 1) Teflon and other PTFE coatings are chemically inert and will not interact with the body. That's why we use it in labware and body implants. The molecules are simply too large to be absorbed into the body. I have no qualms about accidentally ingesting flakes of Teflon because it'll go right out in the stool. Only when Teflon is vaporized at >500F is there a problem for humans. PTFE then becomes a mild respiratory irritant that may affect asthmatics and those with respiratory sensitivities. Note that this has NOTHING to do with the possible carcinogen, PFOA. 2) PFOA is *not* a component of non-stick coatings.

Dupont claims that PFOA is undetectable in its cured Teflon and the EPA has verified that. 3) However, PFOA is used in the manufacture of non-stick PTFE coatings, including Teflon. But if a pot/pan is properly manufactured and cured, no traces of PFOA will be left on the final product. The danger of PFOA exposure exists for those working in factories that manufacture Teflon, and those living near the factories. This does not apply to consumers who merely use non-stick pans. This is the part that many consumers don't understand. They confuse exposure to inert Teflon/PTFE with exposure to carcinogenic PFOA, which is only used in its manufacture. A good analogy is this: Dishwashing detergent is toxic. Yet after your dishes have been rinsed and taken out of the dishwasher, are you concerned about how toxic the detergent was? No, because there is no trace of the detergent left on your dishes. The same goes for PFOA. If the pan was properly cured, there should be no trace of PFOA left on the Teflon. The EPA has verified this.

4) To emphasize the evils of Teflon, many perpetuate the myth the government is forcing companies to stop using PFOA by 2015. That's false. To do that, laws would need to be passed. Rather, the companies themselves voluntarily set a goal of non-use by 2015 using guidelines set by the EPA. It is non-enforceable since it has nothing to do with the law. If one company can't meet the goal, nothing will happen. And again, the reason for discontinuation is the safety of the environment and workers and inhabitants who are continuously exposed to the PFOA (in the manufacture of Teflon and other PTFE non-stick coatings). It has nothing to do with consumers who cook with Teflon pans. anon261865 Post 32 @ anon260881: Teflon's electrical insulation properties put a damper on cellular electrical valences, making you subject to fevers (viruses and other opportunistic organisms attack cells with lower electrical valences); plus, these substances are very hard for the lymph and kidneys to eliminate. You must walk, since the lymph's only pump is the legs.

This is so hard when you're sick, so get a treadmill if you're feverish. It's necessary to prompt the body to eliminate, or it could accumulate in areas and form lymphomas or other leukemias. Use boswellia, cat claw, goldenseal, neem, osha, calendula (marigold), astragalus, ashwaganda, eleuthero, resveratrol, milk thistle, dandelion, bee propolis, elderberry, cranberry, myrrh, juniper, feverfew, devils claw, yucca, co-Q10 and Vitamins A, C, D3 and E (but don't take A and E together, at the same meal, lest they cancel each other out.) For pain, glucosamine, MSM, and sea cucumber (astragalus, above-mentioned, is used for cancer pain, by the way.) Use DMSO topically only (MSM is the version of DMSO that's fit for consumption). You'll need to take one capsule of each morning, noon and night (every day, for several years).

The program will work, but it's not covered by insurance, and it takes diligence coupled with the knowledge that your turnaround is coming, but it may take three or four years to completely turn around. You should feel better within six months, and see steady improvement, with setbacks, until the two-ear point. Between years two and four, you'll notice the setbacks lessen in severity and length. By the fourth year, you'll be working on building up your strength and endurance again, so you'll be able to cover ground during a full work day. I've used this herbal combination to recover from numerous diseases, conditions and viruses that I'd had most of my life, and had resulted in MS, among many other things. I got so sick I couldn't work in 2006 and was on disability by 2008. By 2009, I started doing this program, because I could no longer get to the doctors, and had nobody to help me (but I could get the herbs delivered to my door). Now in 2012, I'm able to walk around again, and am doing this each day I'm able.

There are minor setbacks: spasms, lower back subluxing, and subsequent crawling around on hands and knees for a week, or walking like Groucho Marx when trying to get back on my feet, for a couple of days, but it gets better sooner, rather than later. I'm not yet into my fourth year on this herbal program (this is my third year on it), but I've plans to address lymphoma problems this year, and by next year, I hope to get stem cell treatments. I happen to live relatively near Sloan Kettering, a cancer hospital with a stem cell program. You should find out which cancer hospitals with stem programs are near you, because either breathing in, ingesting, or drinking contaminants can result in the eventual development of leukemia, and they're currently using stem cells as part of the therapeutic treatments. You mentioned that this happened while machining parts, so perhaps this was breathed in, and has formed a mesothelioma-like problem, but I believe these methods can help you. Good luck! Remember to pray in faith, and be diligent about all you do. anon260881 Post 31 I was poisoned at work machining teflon parts over a three day period.

I wasn't warned that human contact is dangerous and took no precautions. After one year, I am unable to work from the health problems associated with this polymer fever. The doctors are stymied. Any suggestions on how to treat this effectively? I am tired of being sick and tired. anon257715 How do I find out if a restaurant cooks with teflon? anon121603 Post 21 I have tried several different sets of teflon coated cookware, made by different companies. I never used anything but plastic utensils on this surface finish, and each time I have had breakage in the finish. I am afraid of the finish because of the chemicals used in it's construction process. i also have a set of aluminum clad cookware, and none of them have any pits or cracks in the finish, I never use anything other than plastic or wooden utensils on my cookware, therefore I feel that Teflon is very unsafe because it cracks, even under safe usage. SciWiz Post 20 Too be honest, teflon was serendipitously found by young chemist named Roy Plunkett.

he was trying to create a cfc gas for Pont De Numar and Companies but instead of a gas he wound up with a slippery polymer powder after that he patented the powder as Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene also known as PTFE. If you are wondering if teflon is dangerous it is not, only when it is heated to extreme heat (that's when the teflon starts to come off), not even then that's too small an amount of Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene gas. you are more likely to be poisoned by your carpet than the teflon in a pan. anon114959 Post 19 anon104473: Fluoride is in your toothpaste and tap water. It is a completely harmless chemical when not ingested in large quantities. Which only have minor side effects. anon104473 Teflon is fluoride? I think I will avoid that thank you very much. anon92926 what is teflon's melting point? anon86611 Post 15 Does anybody ever really read these studies? Look. It is very simple.

Teflon is safe on your cookware. The only time that Teflon is not safe is during the production of it. In other words, at the plant they mix a bunch of different chemicals together, and while mixing them, one out of all the chemicals lets off a gas that is potentially dangerous to birds! Once it is all mixed together and put into the paint can, before it is shipped to whatever manufacturer is going to be coating your cookware, it is no longer dangerous. If we were really worried about this, by the way, we wouldn't drive cars, smoke cigarettes or eat at any restaurant. Heck, we couldn't even lay down carpet or have a blanket over us when we sleep (all of these things have the same chemicals in them, by the way). Just be happy you are not scrubbing those old cast iron pans. Happy cooking! anon86043 Post 14 What a brilliant website! Thanks so much, this will help a ton with my school project. anon83412 this was most interesting to me and my fellow colleagues at the university. thank you.

anon82657 Post 12 i am doing a report on teflon at my school, and this article really helped me a lot! hopefully i get an A! anon80183 Post 11 really before this i thought teflon was pretty safe and good for non stick pans. did anyone else just find out like me? anon64785 what was teflon made for? anon63497 Post 7 I reply to these comments as an outside observer; i.e., these are just my opinions. Anon49141: They say that Teflon is just applied as a coat to the surface of the pans. This being said, Teflon should be resistant to scratches (by definition as, "the most slippery substance that exists"), but I'm sure that scratches are possible with enough force/area applied. Anon46420: I'm sure it's possible to apply another coat, but probably not for consumers. You would have to take it to the manufacturer, and I'm sure it would cost more than it's worth. Just do your best to not scratch the surface, and replace when necessary.

rjohnson: If you google, "is teflon safe", and select the first article, the EPA says that Teflon is safe for the consumers, so I would not worry about it. The EPA has very strict policies regarding public safety. anon63354 rjohnson, you're correct. The EPA recently fined DuPont over 16 million dollars regarding this. anon49141 PTFE Gaskets PTFE Gaskets PTFE Gaskets PTFE sheet gasket material comes in several forms. The first thing that must be determined is what type of PTFE gasket material your looking for. The first and most common form is a virgin PTFE gasket material. Virgin PTFE is specified for medical or electrical applications. Most applications however are not medical or electrical and can easily be satisfied with mechanical grade PTFE. Mechanical grade PTFE is almost identical to Virgin and to the naked eye is very hard to differentiate. The difference is in mechanical grade reprocessed PTFE has been added. Generally a very small percentage of the material is reprocessed. The percentage will very however by manufacturer. Some applications call for thinner material.

While PTFE gasket material is exceptional in it's range of temperature (to 500 F) and PH range (0-14) it has limitations on the thickness available. Most PTFE sheet is skived off of a roll. Some material is molded but this is generally limited to 24" x 24" or 12" x 12" sections. PTFE Film is another product that has the same or similar properties but is made in very thin and produced in rolls. We offer PTFE Film in .001" to .025" thick. The next size above .025" we offer is .032" which we then term as sheet PTFE gasket material. Expanded PTFE - EPTFE Gasket material is a soft and conformable material that is ideal for applications with limited bolt load torque available. Or in applications such as glass lined pipe where excessive bolt load will cause more problems than it will solve. If you have never touched this exceptional sealing material think of a dense marshmallow.

It has the same chemical resistance and temperature range as any PTFE but it is soft and will effect a seal much quicker than regular PTFE gasket material WHAT IS TEFLON®? WHAT IS PTFE? WHAT IS TEFLON®? Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont and is used in relation to products manufactured with Dupont’s fluoropolymer resins. What is PTFE? PTFE stands for PolyTetraFluoroEthylene, which is the chemical term for the polymer (CF2)n. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), (DuPont’s trademark of Teflon®) is a thermoplastic member of the fluoropolymer family of plastics. PTFE has a low coefficient of friction, excellent insulating properties, and is chemically inert to most substances. It also can withstand high heat applications and it is well know for its anti-stick properties. Other trademarks, in addition to DuPont’s trademark Teflon®, of PTFE resin and their manufacturer are: FLUON® AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc. (AGC). They have plants in the U.S., England, and Japan.

DYNEON® Dyneon, a 3M Company, produces PTFE resin in Gendorf, Germany. This plant has operated since 1964, founded by Hoechst AG and resin formerly trademarked as HOSTAFLON®. POLYFLON® Daikin Industries Ltd. has been producing PTFE resin since the 1960's in Japan and since 1994 in the U.S as Daikin America Inc. ALGOFLON® Solvay Solexis, formerly Ausimont, has plants in the U.S. and Italy. Ausimont was purchased by Solvay. order PTFE gasket materials online today! American Seal & Packing (714) 593-9780 When it comes to cutting gaskets there are several ways to get the job done. Traditional "clicker presses" are great for larger quantity jobs and have been the standard in the industry for years. The biggest down side to using clicker presses is tooling must be made to produce a gasket.

Just as CNC lathes revolutionized the machining industry, laser cutters, routers and water jet are all computer controled ways of cutting a gasket with out the need for tooling or dies. PTFE Cut Gaskets Fills the space between two objects, generally to prevent leakage between the two objects while under compression. Cut Gaskets saves money by allowing less precise mating surfaces on machine parts which can use Cut Gaskets to fill irregularities. Gaskets are commonly produced by cutting from sheet Cut Gaskets, such as gasket paper (beater addition), Non-asbestos, Rubber, EPDM, Nitrile, Buna, Neoprene, Flexible Graphite, Grafoil®, Aflas, Kalrez®, Viton®, Silicone, Metal, Mica, Felt or a plastic polymer such as (PTFE), Peek, Urethane, or Ethylene Propylene (EP). In the past, the Cut Gaskets selected for specific applications may contain have contained asbestos. Over compression of Cut Gaskets is a common problem with metal gaskets which have mechanically designed recovery built into the gasket. Over compression removes the Cut Gaskets ability to recover.

This is also true of expanded PTFE, once over compressed it will have no recovery and therefore will not longer adapt to maintain a seal. The common strategy of "The more compressive load exerted on the gasket, the longer it will last" is generally true of elastomeric materials since elastomers (rubbers) are not compressible but deflect compression. Many materials such as non-asbestos compressed Cut Gasketss and beater addition (ie; Armstrong) materials contain elastomers in the mix of material they are produced from, making them difficult to over compress. One of the more desirable properties of an effective Cut Gaskets in industrial applications is the ability to withstand high compressive loads. Most industrial gasket applications involve bolts exerting compression well into the 14 MPa (2000 psi) range or higher. This is why Non-asbestos Cut Gaskets are so widely used in industrial Cut Gaskets applications.

American Seal & Packing Cuts Gaskets of all types, Including: PTFE, compressed non-asbestos, vegetable fiber, beater add, cork, and various rubbers - Nitrile, Buna-N, SBR, EPDM, Vitonï¿½, FKM, Hypalon, Aflasï¿½, natural rubber, closed cell, open cell, Neoprene, GRAFOILï¿½ Flexible Graphite and other "soft goods". Gaskets can be cut based on your drawing or sample of the gasket you desire. Basic I.D x O.D shapes can be cut by hand however most gaskets require a die. Gasket materials are available in rolls or on pallets depending on type and quantity. Name brands we can provide include; Brand Gï¿½, Donex, DX Seal, Mainland Sealing, Klinger, Johns Manville, RM, Detroit, Utex and GRAFOILï¿½ Flexible Graphite among other gasket styles. So, if you want a cut gasket or gasket material so you can cut your own, we can help.

Question: What is the more common name for polytetrafluoroethylene?
Answer: Teflon