What is PTFE?

Let’s begin our exploration of Teflon vs PTFE with a closer inspection of what PTFE actually is. To give it it’s full title, polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic polymer consisting of two simple elements; carbon and fluorine. It is derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and has some unique properties that make it a useful material in a wide range of applications. For example:

• Very high melting point: With a melting point of around 327°C, there are very few situations where PTFE would be damaged by heat.
• Hydrophobic: It’s resistance to water means it never gets wet, making it useful in cooking, wound dressings and more.
• Chemically inert: The majority of solvents and chemicals will not damage PTFE.
• Low coefficient of friction: The coefficient of friction of PTFE is one of the lowest of any solid in existence, meaning nothing will stick to it.
• High flexural strength: It’s ability to bend and flex, even at low temperatures, means it can be easily applied to a variety of surfaces without losing its integrity.

What is Teflon?

Teflon was actually discovered by accident, by a scientist called Dr. Roy Plunkett. He was working for DuPont in New Jersey trying to develop a new refrigerant, when he noticed that the TFE gas had flowed out of the bottle he was using, but the bottle was not weighing empty. Curious as to what was causing the weight, he investigated the interior of the bottle and found it was coated with a waxy material, slippery and oddly strong, which we now know to be Teflon.

Which is better in Teflon vs PTFE?

If you’ve been paying attention so far, you’ll already know what we’re going to say here. There is no winner, no better product and no reason to compare the two substances any further. In conclusion, if you’re wondering about Teflon vs PTFE, wonder no more, because they are, in fact, one and the same thing, different only in name and nothing else.