PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Technical Datasheet
Low Friction, Chemical Resistant, Engineering Plastic Service. Quality. Value.

Typical Applications Product Customer

Chemical engineering, and general machinery Attributes Benefits
construction
- Bearings and bushes. Laboratory equipment. Measuring Lowest static and dynamic Ideal for many bearing
& control technology. Pipe supports. Expansion coefficient of friction - no applications requiring
bellows. Glandless valves & pumps, valve seats. Piston ‘stick-slip’ behaviour. precise movements.
rings in hydraulic systems. Piston rod packings used in
compressor plunger pumps & valves. Maximum chemical May be used in contact with
resistance. almost any chemical.
Electrical
– Communications, radio & television engineering, Excellent electrical Ideal for electrical insulation
cable insulation. Electrical plant construction & characteristics applications.
electronics industry (connectors & terminals). General
electrical equipment (PTFE is an excellent electrical Very wide operating Can be used in cryogenic or
insulating material). Power plant installations (switchgear). temperature range. high temperature
environments. (± 250°C)
Food industry –
Dynamic & shaft seals in food processing equipment. Very high oxygen index. Does not burn.
Linings & coatings.
Product sourced from Consistent quality ensures
longstanding manufacturer uniform characteristics in
Product Description with ISO accreditation. machining and
A high performance, low friction, engineering plastic with performance.
exceptional resistance to a wide variety of chemicals. It is
used in some of the most arduous industrial applications. Product Availability *
Extruded round bar 3mm to 100mm in lengths ≤ 2m.
Technical Description Moulded round bar 25mm to 275mm in lengths
≤500mm
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a material with several Film/sheet/plate Film from 0.5mm thk x 1.2m
unique properties. It is manufactured using very wide. Sheet/plate 1.0mm to
specialised plant and process controls. 50mm thk in 1200mm squares,
or cut panels. Modified grades –
Smiths extruded PTFE rod is produced to BS EN ISO13000 please call for quotation.
and is ground to a plus tolerance, but with the option of Tube extruded or From 10mm od to 300mm od
tighter tolerances if required. moulded

Smiths’ standard stock range is made from virgin PTFE * Sizes not stocked are available on relatively short delivery time. 1,
(not reprocessed) but several other application 2 or 3m lengths supplied or cut to customer requirements.
specific grades are available to order. See below.
Chemical Resistance
Grade Modification Purpose
PTFE, natural None. Base material for Un-filled PTFE is inert to almost all chemicals. Attack is
(white) general applications. only evident from molten or dissolved alkali metals, and
PTFE, G15 With 15% Low friction, some fluorine compounds at higher temperatures. Some
graphite improved wear, best fluorinated refrigerants cause reversible swelling.
with ‘soft shafts.
PTFE, C25 With 25% Excellent dry wear Machinability
carbon/coke resistance, best wear in
water. PTFE is a soft material but it can be machined into precise
PTFE, B60 With 60% Improved hardness, components. As with all fluoropolymer materials, care
bronze lowest creep. must be taken to avoid PTFE coming into contact with
PTFE, GL15 & With 15% or Improved stability and smoking materials. Full machining instructions may be
G25 25% glass fibre creep resistance in high supplied on request.
load applications. Glass
Electrical Properties
fibre is abrasive so run
bearings against Excellent electrical properties make PTFE highly specified
hardened surfaces. in arduous electrical environments.

www.smithmetal.com [email protected]
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
Low Friction, Chemical Resistant, Engineering Plastic Service. Quality. Value.

PTFE - unfilled

Mechanical Properties
Density 2.13 - 2.19 g/cc
Tensile strength (Moulding direction) 15 - 35 MPa
Elongation @ break (Moulding direction) 150 - 350 %
Hardness (Shore D) 57 - 64 Shore D
Deformation under load @ 1 hr, 23ºC, 14.2 MPa 11.8 %
@ 24 hrs, 23ºC, 14.2 MPa 14.3
@ Permanent deformation 7.9
@ 1 hr, 150°C, 5 MPa 10.0
Compressive modulus @ 0.2% off-set, 23ºC 600 - 700 MPa
Flexural modulus @ 0.2% off-set, 23ºC 690 MPa

Electrical Properties
Volume resistivity 1018 Ohm cm
Surface resistivity 1017 Ohm
Dielectric constant @ 60 Hz 2.1 -
@ 106 Hz 2.1
Dissipation factor @ 60 Hz <0.0003 -
@ 1018 Hz <0.0003
Dielectric strength - in air (tape) 60 - 80 Kv/mm
- in oil (extruded or moulded) 35 - 24

Thermal Properties
Melting temperature (DSC point of fusion) 327 °C
Coefficient of thermal expansion (TMA) (23 - 200 ºC)
- in moulding direction (MD) 142 10-6/°C
- at right angles to MD
Thermal conductivity – in moulding direction 0.24 W/(m · K)
Max. working temperature 260 ºC
Max. working temperature – short term 300 ºC
Min. working temperature -200 ºC
Flammability Does not burn -
Flash point 530 ºC
Limiting oxygen index >95 %

Friction Properties
Coefficient of friction, dry sliding
- static 0.08 -
- dynamic 0.06

Technical Assistance
Our knowledgeable staff backed up by our resident team of qualified metallurgists and engineers, will be pleased to
assist further on any technical topic.

UK Service Centres: Quality & Testing:

Smiths Belfast 02895 908 897 Smiths Leeds 0113 307 5167
Smiths Biggleswade 01767 604 704 Smiths Manchester 0161 794 8650
Smiths Birmingham 0121 728 4940 Smiths Norwich 01603 789 878
Smiths Bristol 0117 971 2800 Smiths Nottingham 0115 925 4801
Smiths Chelmsford 01245 466 664 Smiths Redruth 01209 315 512
Smiths Gateshead 0191 469 5428 Smiths Verwood 01202 824 347
Smiths Horsham 01403 261 981 Main Office 0845 527 3331 www.smithmetal.com [email protected]

All information in our data sheet is based on approximate testing and is stated to the best of our knowledge and belief. It is presented apart from contractual obligations and does not
constitute any guarantee of properties or of processing or application possibilities in individual cases. Our warranties and liabilities are stated exclusively in our terms of trading.
© Smiths Metal Centres 2023