Hagh Doust 2Polymer Research Project: Teflon (PTFE)Introduction to TeflonPolytetrafluoroethylene is a strong, non-flammable synthetic resin produced by thepolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. Polytetrafluoroethylene are chains of carbon atomthat are saturated with fluorine, which is also known as Teflon, Hostaflon, and Polyflon that isits trade market name.Teflon is distinguished by its slippery surface, high melting point and resistance to manychemicals.The most well-known member of Fluoropolymers is PTFE(polytetrafluoroethylene). Polyolefins are a family of polyethylene and polypropylenethermoplastics. They are produced mainly from oil and natural gas by a process ofpolymerization of ethylene and propylene respectively.In 1938, a chemist called Dr. Plunkett discovered Teflon at the DuPont company’s Jacksonlaboratory by accident. Plunkett was researching new chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. Hehad produced a thousand pounds of tetrafluoroethylene gas (TFE) and stored it in cylinderswith a temperature of -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit before chlorinating it, but when heprepared a cylinder for use, none of the gas came out and the cylinder weighed the same asbefore. The tetrafluoroethylene turned to a white powder after he heated it turned to havevery low surface and other substances would not adhere to it.
