PTFE (also known as Teflon®) is considered the industry standard (for valves) for soft sealing components due to its almost universal chemical resistance and its low coefficient of friction. It also happens to have some fantastic characteristics:
- Almost totally unaffected by chemicals encountered in commercial use.
- Flame resistant
- Heat resistant – retains its properties after exposure to temperatures beyond the limit of almost all other thermoplastics & elastomers.
- Low coefficient of friction
- Chemically pure and inert
- Low surface energy in the solid state
- Retains its excellent properties even at cryogenic temperatures
- Excellent chemical resistance over broad temperature range
- Excellent retention of properties after a long period of time
- Has light stability – does not change appearance after exposure to UV or infrared
- Stable dielectric properties
- Inert to microbiological and enzymic attack
- Completely resistant to hydrolysis – good barrier for water permeation, even after long periods in water