PTFE (Teflon)

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known as Teflon, is famous for having the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid material and near-universal chemical resistance. It is the ultimate choice for seals, gaskets, and high-temperature insulators. However, PTFE is notoriously soft and difficult to hold tolerances on due to high thermal expansion and creep ("cold flow"). Jucheng Precision excels in Soft Plastic Machining. We use specialized sharp tooling and temperature-controlled machining environments to prevent deformation. Our CNC turning centers are optimized to produce complex PTFE seals and bushings with burr-free edges and surface finishes that maintain the material's sealing integrity. Whether you need FDA-approved Virgin PTFE or wear-resistant Glass/Bronze Filled grades, we deliver precision parts for chemical and aerospace applications.

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CNC PTFE Machining

Available PTFE (Teflon) Grades

Grade Common Name Key Characteristics Typical Applications
Virgin PTFE Electrical Grade Pure white. Excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and lowest friction. FDA compliant. Chemical seals, electrical insulators, medical tubing, food processing parts.
Mechanical PTFE Reprocessed PTFE Made from recycled resin. Lower tensile strength and purity but more cost-effective. Not FDA compliant. Non-critical spacers, washers, wear pads.
Glass-Filled PTFE 15% / 25% Glass Reinforced with glass fibers to improve compressive strength and reduce cold flow (creep). Valve seats, gaskets, piston rings, structural chemical parts.
Bronze-Filled PTFE Bearing Grade Bronze powder added for superior wear resistance and thermal conductivity. Higher friction than virgin. Hydraulic cylinder guides, bearings, slider plates.

PTFE Machining Capabilities

Capability Technical Description Jucheng Advantage
Complex Seal Turning Machining intricate lip profiles and grooves for hydraulic and pneumatic seals. Our specialized lathe setups ensure burr-free cuts, critical for maintaining a perfect vacuum or fluid seal.
Thin-Wall Machining Creating thin insulating sleeves and liners without deforming the soft material. We use air chucks and mandrels to support the part, achieving wall thicknesses as low as 0.5mm.
Surface Finishing Achieving smooth sealing surfaces (Ra 0.8 or better) directly off the machine. Eliminates leakage paths in high-purity chemical or semiconductor applications.
Stress-Free Handling Managing the material’s tendency to “squirm” or change size with temperature. We machine in a temperature-controlled environment to ensure dimensions hold true at 20°C.

Fabrication Guidelines for PTFE

Clamping Sensitivity:
PTFE is extremely soft and prone to deformation. Excessive clamping force will ruin the part. We use vacuum fixtures, potting, or soft jaws that encapsulate the part to distribute force.

Thermal Expansion:
PTFE has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and undergoes a phase transition at ~19°C where it expands significantly. We recommend machining and inspecting at stable room temperatures.

Tooling:
Extremely sharp, high-rake carbide tools are required. Dull tools will compress the material rather than cut it, causing size issues and burrs.

Deburring:
Burrs on PTFE are stringy and difficult to remove. We use cryogenic deburring or manual trimming under microscopes for critical medical parts.

Primary Application Industries

Chemical Processing
Key Parts: Valve seats, pump diaphragms, pipe gaskets.
Why PTFE: Universal chemical inertness prevents corrosion from acids and solvents.

Food & Medical
Key Parts: Mixing paddles, surgical guides, fluid seals.
Why PTFE: FDA compliance, non-stick surface (easy to clean), and high-temperature sterilization resistance.

Aerospace
Key Parts: Wire insulation, fuel hose liners, standoff insulators.
Why PTFE: Excellent dielectric properties and remains flexible at cryogenic temperatures.

Automotive
Key Parts: Shock absorber seals, power steering seals, bearings.
Why PTFE: Low friction coefficient reduces wear and improves efficiency in moving parts.

Material Properties

Density 2.15 - 2.20 g/cm³
Tensile Strength 20 - 35 MPa
Elongation at Break 200 - 400 %
Heat Deflection Temp 50 - 120 °C
Hardness 50 - 65 Shore D
Continuous Service Temp 260 °C
Water Absorption < 0.01 %
Dielectric Strength 20 - 60 kV/mm
Melting Point 327 °C
Max. Part Size 2000 mm (L) x 800 mm (W) x 600 mm (H)