Belpa and Teflon gaskets

What is Teflon?

Teflon or PTFE is a polymer in which the unit (F2C-CF2) is repeated.

What are the properties of Teflon?

It is able to withstand temperatures of about 300°C for long periods with little or no change.

It is resistant to most acids and bases.

It is resistant (insoluble) to many organic solvents.

What are the properties of Teflon due to?

They are basically due to the fact that the fluorine atoms in Teflon create a kind of barrier that makes it difficult for chemical agents to attack the carbon structure of Teflon.

Applications

In plumbing, the use of Teflon, as an element to prevent leaks in the joints between threads, is gradually gaining ground. At present, it can be said that it has practically replaced esparto grass, thanks mainly to the cleanliness involved while the work is being done, the better presentation and the ease of application.

All these fabulous characteristics of Teflon make it a very versatile material, which allows its use in multiple fields. Among them, it is possible to find its use in kitchen appliances such as pots and pans, since, as mentioned above, Teflon is resistant to very high temperatures and also prevents food from sticking to the surface of the pot or pan in which it is being prepared.

Besides being useful in the kitchen due to its resistance to high temperatures, this characteristic is also rescued for the manufacture of cable sheathing, since it also has a great insulating capacity.

Medicine has also been able to make use of its properties for the manufacture of prostheses and artificial tissues, due to its great flexibility, anti-adhesion, etc.

Other uses include the manufacture of objects such as hoses and pipes that will be subjected to corrosive chemicals, and it is also used in paints and varnishes. Finally, one of the most surprising uses of Teflon is its use in the manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft coatings, again due to its enormous resistance to extreme temperatures.