A fluorocarbon solid made from carbon and fluorine, PTFE is hydrophobic, and has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid. Commonly referred to by its brand name, Teflon®, PTFE is most commercially known for its role as an effective non-stick cookware coating. Its non-reactive properties make it ideal for use in environments where aggressive chemicals are present. A thermoplastic with a high melting point (as compared to other plastics and elastomers), PTFE can withstand tough, high-temperature conditions.
Key Properties of PTFE
High
Temperature
Range
Excellent
Media
Compatibility
Low
Coefficient
of Friction
Moderate
Tensile
Strength
Moderate
Hardness
Bal Seal® PTFE Material Performance
Our PTFE sealing materials for rotary, reciprocating, and static applications are formulated to provide optimal performance and service life in your designs. Our offering ranges from virgin PTFE to precision blends that leverage the additive properties of polyimide, graphite, moly disulfide, carbon fiber, and other fillers to meet specific temperature, pressure, speed and wear requirements. Many of our PTFE sealing materials are USP Class VI compliant, FDA compatible, or compliant with FDA standards.
Temperature Resistance
(° fahrenheit)
Media Compatibility
(rating)
Friction
(µ at ambient temperature)
Tensile Strength
(psi at break)
Hardness
(Shore D)
PTFE Seal Applications
Technical Resources
Virgin Polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE)
Graphite Fiber-Reinforced
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(GFP)
Polymer-Filled
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(SP-45)
PTFE Material FAQs
This material is used where its balance of friction, wear, temperature capability, and chemical compatibility aligns with the sealing requirements of the application.
Each Bal Seal material family offers different performance strengths. Selection depends on whether your priority is low friction, high strength, abrasion resistance, cryogenic performance, or chemical compatibility.
Yes. Bal Seal Engineering can recommend the right formulation based on your operating conditions, wear concerns, and performance targets.
Bal Seal material options are used across demanding applications including aerospace, medical, analytical, industrial, cryogenic, and clean environments depending on the specific formulation.
Yes. Bal Seal materials are used in custom spring-energized seals and related sealing components tailored to the geometry and operating conditions of the application.
Yes. Bal Seal Engineering works with OEM teams to evaluate performance requirements and recommend materials and designs for custom sealing challenges.
Need Help Selecting a Material?
Our engineering team can help evaluate material fit, performance tradeoffs, and application requirements to identify the right sealing solution.
