PTFE (Teflon) Labware

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known under tradenames such as Teflon™ (Chemours™) and Inoflon® (GFL™), is a popular material for labware due to its chemical resistance, non-stick properties, and thermal stability. It is used in a variety of applications, including beakers, flasks, stir bars, and filtration membranes.

Advantages of PTFE labware:

 

  • Chemical resistance - It is highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and solvents. Rare exceptions include liquid/dissolved alkali metals, fluorine/fluorine compounds and very strong oxidisers.

  • Non-stick/non-wetting surface properties - Its coefficient of friction is one of the lowest of any known solid material. This feature prevents samples from sticking to the surface, reducing contamination and making cleanup easier

  • Thermal stability - It remains effective over a wide range of temperature, from -200°C to 260°C. Thermal degradation does not commence until ~400°

  • Electrical Properties - It has exceptional dielectric properties and is an excellent thermal insulator

  • Flexural Strength - PTFE has a high flexural strength meaning that it is highly durable and can withstand repeated use and cleaning

PTFE is the most common type of Teflon but there are also variations of Teflon used for labware.

  • PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes) - Invented by DuPont and sold under the brand name Teflon® PFA. It has outstanding non-stick properties by having a low friction coefficient. It is a reasonably flexible polymer with a high resistance to stress cracking and is resistant to almost all solvents and chemicals PFA offers similar properties to PTFE but with improved mechanical strength and clarity.

  • FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) - Invented by DuPont and sold under the brand name Teflon® FEP. It is has good chemical resistance and flexibility, often used in bottles and centrifuge tubes. It is very similar properties to PTFE, but has a lower maximum operating temperature of +200°C. However, FEP can be more easily processed and can be easily welded and re-moulded into complex profiles.

PTFE labware available at ProSciTech:

Beakers, dishes, and bottles

Inert, ideal for storing and handling a wide range of chemicals, including strong acids and bases and also for preventing sample contamination.

Stir bars, rods and impellers

Non-stick, prevents materials from adhering, making it easy to clean and ensuring efficient mixing

Filtration membranes

Used in filtration systems to purify liquids and gases, ensuring the integrity of samples.

Sample preparation tools

Chemical resistance and non-stick properties are beneficial in sample preparation and techniques.

Tubing and connectors

Highly chemical resistant to withstand the conditions for chemical processing.