PTFE is an ideal material for a number of domestic and industrial uses.
Today’s life continuously demands quality products. When we go shopping, the first thing one notices is the quality of the material! We have seen great progress in types of sports equipment, medical appliances, electrical equipment, utensils, and many daily objects. These items have become useful with attractive features. The usefulness of these objects is decided by the properties of manufactured materials.
Let’s consider the example of PTFE, which stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is commonly known as Teflon. This material is widely used in many different types of applications from laptops to Mars rover. PTFE is a polymer mainly made up of carbon and fluorine monomers. The relative amounts of carbon and fluorine monomers determine unique material properties such as surface lubrication, acid resistance, insolubility, heat resistance, thermal sealing, low dielectric loss, reflection property; and mechanical properties like capacity to handle stress, strain, tensile strength, and toughness. All these physico-chemical and electro-mechanical, properties make the material ideal for a number of domestic and industrial usages.
Non-stick pans, computers, aerospace wiring, seals, gaskets are used as coating/ sealing; all have some amounts of PTFE. PTFE is used to prevent unwanted results; such as the opening of wired connections. Hindustan Nylons, T-Lon, Jayhind Polymers and J. V. Corporation, are some of the producers of PTFE in India. These companies provide sheets, rods, pipes, strips and gaskets, as their products.
There are many such day to day things assisting with our lives. If we read information printed on the products we purchase, we get to know what kind of materials the products are made of. So, have a look around, take an interest in what you use every day, and be curious to know more!
Edited by: Anomitra Dey
Reference:
1. https://www.cnet.com/news/the-minds-behind-gore-tex-are-going-inside-your-laptop-your-body-and-to-mars/
2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-018-0023-8
3. https://www.gore-tex.com/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_rover
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene
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