Teflon® is a brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a slippery polymer used in various industries. PTFE was accidentally invented in 1938 by Roy Plunkett in a New Jersey lab. It has a low coefficient of friction, is hydrophobic, and has high melting and electrical insulating properties. PTFE is used in everyday items like non-stick cookware, wiper blades, and fabric protectors. Although there have been safety concerns, the EPA and FDA have stated that using PTFE on cookware is not a concern.
Teflon® is a brand name of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a solid polymer considered one of the most slippery substances in the world. Accidentally invented in 1938 in a laboratory in Deepwater, New Jersey, USA, Teflon® has applications in a wide variety of industries, including household goods, aerospace, electronics and industrial processes. Teflon® is manufactured by EI du Pont de Nemours and Company, also known as DuPont.
History
PTFE is a fluorocarbon, a compound consisting of carbon and fluorine, and has the molecular formula (C2F4)n. A chemist named Roy Plunkett accidentally invented PTFE while trying to create a new chlorofluorocarbon in a New Jersey lab operated by Kinetic Chemicals Inc., a company co-founded by DuPont and General Motors. Plunkett discovered that the white wax-like substance created during one of his experiments was extremely slippery and resistant to water. The substance was patented in 1941 and the Teflon® trademark was registered in 1945.
Quality
Teflon® has a coefficient of friction against polished steel in the range of 0.05 to 0.1, which is one of the lowest of all measured solids. This makes it suitable for use in applications that require low friction between two solids, such as gears or sliding parts. It’s also hydrophobic, meaning it repels water instead of getting wet. Among the other qualities of PTFE that make it advantageous for many uses are its high melting point and its electrical insulating properties.
it is used
In the 21st century, in addition to its widespread use in manufacturing and industry, PTFE is being used on all kinds of everyday items. Many people are familiar with nonstick pots and pans that have been coated with Teflon®. Wiper blades in automobiles are also commonly coated with PTFE, which helps keep the blades from squeaking as they pass back and forth across the windshield. PTFE is also used as a carpet or fabric protector because it repels liquids, allowing spills to dry without leaving stains. It has been used on all-weather clothing, to coat eyeglass lenses, as a protector for nails, and even in a line of hair care products.
Safety
There has been some concern about the safety of PTFE, especially in cookware. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that using this coating on cookware and other items commonly used by people is not a concern. DuPont said Teflon® coatings begin to deteriorate at temperatures at or above 500° Fahrenheit (260° Celsius), higher than where most foods are cooked. Teflon®-coated pans are not recommended for cooking techniques that require very high temperatures, such as broiling.
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