Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a fluorocarbon polymer which is a product of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymerization. Strong bonds between fluorine and carbon atoms and specific molecular structure give PTFE a good combination of chemical, physical, electric, antifriction and other properties which can not be found in any other material.

Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) is a hypocrystalline perfluorochemical ethylene polymer with the melting temperature of about 327оС. Above this temperature, the crystalline structure degrades, and PTFE turns into a noncrystalline transparent material which does not transfer from the high-elasticity state to the plastic state even at the decomposition temperature (above 415^оС).

Therefore, PTFE is processed into finished parts by cold preforming of PTFE blanks with subsequent sintering.

PTFE has:

• extraordinary dielectric properties;
• low dissipation factor and dielectric constant values which very little depend on frequency and temperature;
• exceptional electric arc resistance;
• high electric strength (measurements carried out with a thin film (5-20 μm) show that electric strength may exceed 300 MV/m);
• extremely high chemical resistance due to the shielding effect of electronegative fluorine atoms;
• resistance to all mineral and organic acids, alkalis, organic solvents, gases and other aggressive media. PTFE can only be degraded by the effect of molten alkali metals;
• water nonwettabillity;
• high antifriction properties and very low coefficient of friction.

Due to its high thermal, frost and chemical resistance and antifriction, antiadhesive and dielectric properties, fluoroplastic has a reputation of a high-technological plastic and is widely used:

• as an anticorrosion material- in chemical industry for manufacturing apparatus, heat exchangers, pumps, pipes, valves, finish tiles, sealing glands, etc. PTFE pipes, seals and gaskets are used in chemical processing equipment which helps produce high-purity products;
• as a dielectric material - in electric engineering and electronic industries;
• as material for fabrication of seals and friction bearings (both virgin and filled PTFE) - in heavy engineering for manufacturing parts of machinery and equipment, dry-friction bearings for corrosive media, seals for air compressors, valves, etc.;
• for production of adhesives and colorants to protect equipment against fouling;
• in food-processing industry (shaft linings, form coatings, seals for equipment);
• in medicine (prosthetic devices, transplants, containers, prosthesis holders, etc.).