some of the most important uses of ptfe

As noted, Teflon is the trade name for a plastic material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which was discovered by researchers working for the DuPont chemical company in 1938. At that time, chemist Roy Plunkett was working on the way to decrease the flammability of refrigerants that were commonly used in the 1930's. By sheer accident, Plunkett stumbled upon a chemical reaction known as polymerization, from which the result was a plastic-type material similar to Nylon, but with different qualities.

The significance behind PTFE is that it has many desirable qualities that are not found in most chemicals. For instance, Teflon is extremely stable, as it does not react with easily with other substances or solvents; this means that it's safe to handle and work with, even in the most demanding of conditions. In addition to its non-reactive nature, Teflon is resistant to electrical current, and it has properties that make it slick, but not oily

There are thousands of uses for Teflon, and some are relatively unexpected. In fact, one of the first major applications to use the advancements brought on by the development of  PTFE was the Atomic Bomb. PTFE’s high resistance to corrosion allowed scientist to use it as a barrier in the gaskets that held the uranium within the bomb.

The main application of PTFE is in the cooking industry. The slippery surface that is created with PTFE is used on the face of high-quality pots, pans, and utensils to prevent food from sticking to the pan during the heating process. Another prominent application for PTFE is in the manufacturing of windshield wipers, where the smooth surface created by the polytetrafluoroethylene allows the rubber fins of the wiper blades to glide easily across the windshield.

Of course, there are also multiple areas where PTFE is used in commercial and industrial settings. The steel industry, in particular, utilizes PTFE to act as an agent against corrosion.

During the steel forging process, caustic chemicals need to be pumped through industrial hoses and without the Teflon lining inside these hoses, the chemicals would dissolve the rubber hose immediately. Over time, even the Teflon will begin to wear through, but it withstands that caustic nature of the chemicals for far longer than any other alternative.