PTFE
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Chemistry
| Stands for | Polytetrafluoroethylene |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
PTFE stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene, a chemistry abbreviation.
Fluoropolymer famous for its slipperiness and chemical resistance, best known by the brand name Teflon. PTFE coats nonstick pans, insulates high-performance wires, seals pipe threads as plumber's tape and forms the breathable membrane in waterproof fabrics.
Example: Wrap the threads with PTFE tape clockwise before screwing in the fitting.
Usage notes
Roy Plunkett discovered PTFE by accident at DuPont in 1938, when a cylinder of tetrafluoroethylene gas polymerized into a white powder. PTFE itself is very inert, but PFOA, formerly used to manufacture it, became a notorious PFAS pollutant. Overheating an empty nonstick pan above about 260 °C releases fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms and kill pet birds.