Teflon is a synthetic fluoropolymer with a high molecular weight that consists only of fluorine and carbon molecules. Like many other inventions, this fluoropolymer was found by accident.

A researcher in New Jersey, Roy Plunkett identified that iron inside a bottle containing tetrafluoroethylene gas worked as a mechanism leading to the transformation of the gas into a perfluoroethylene. The fluorinated plastic was later patented and registered as Teflon.

One of the earliest uses of Teflon dates back to the Manhattan Project – pipes carrying uranium hexafluoride at the K-25 uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge were coated with the material. Later came the first ever non-stick fluoropolymer coated pan marketed in 1961.

In today’ world, Teflon fluoropolymer coatings are used across a number of different applications that range from products like clothes and cookware to commercial applications like pharmaceuticals and communication cables.

The Applications Of Fluoropolymers

As mentioned above, Teflon fluoropolymer coatings are used across a variety of different applications that, include, but are not limited to the following:

·         Teflon is used across dental applications where clamps, springs and clips are used to prevent drinks and food from sticking to braces.

·         Needles and guide wires used across medical applications are also coated with this fluoropolymer to prevent blood from sticking. Similar to how Teflon coated cookware repels sticky foods like eggs, Teflon coated medical needles and guide wires repel blood.

·         Teflon is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the beverage and food packaging industry. A majority of food processing units require a Teflon fluoropolymer coating so that the food items or ingredients don’t stick to the inside walls. Also Teflon coated conveyor belts and tubes prevent sticking of items and help maintain consistent operations.

·         The fluoropolymer is also used to coat cooking utensils and pans in order to prevent food from sticking. In fact, in the consumer market, Teflon gained much recognition after the introduction of Teflon coated pans that maintained the taste of the food by preventing it from sticking, even under high temperatures.

As practically nothing can stick to it for long, Teflon PFA tubing is also used across various laboratories and industrial facilities to streamline the transportation of items. Due to the non-stick and repellant nature of this fluoropolymer, it also cuts down the chances of chemical reactions between the products being carried and its tubing material.

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