Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. It is a high-performance plastic known for its non-stick properties and resistance to chemical and thermal conditions. PTFE is commonly recognized by the brand name Teflon, which is often used for non-stick coatings in cookware.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Category | Thermoplastic |
| Density | 2130 - 2220 kg/m3 |
| Water Absorption | 0.01 %wt/day |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 10 - 40 MPa |
| Yield Tensile Strength | 17 - 27 MPa |
| Ultimate Compressive Strength | 11.7 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 0.48 - 0.76 GPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 0.48 - 0.76 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 200 - 400% |
| Rockwell Hardness (R) | 45 |
| Static Friction Coefficient (µ) | 0.05 - 0.20 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 327 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.25 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1000 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 10-4 - 1.6×10-4 1/°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | -97 °C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr) | 2.0 - 2.1 |
| Electrical Resistivity | 1018 Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Field Strength (Ed) | 400 - 800 kV/cm |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.38 |
| Hazardous Data | Metric |
| Flammability Rating (ANSI/UL 94) | V-0 |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.