Teflon

Teflon is a brand name of Chemours, a spin-off of DuPont, which originally discovered the compound in 1938. The Teflon brand is used for a variety of products, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a solid polymer that is considered to be one of the world's most slippery substances.

History

Roy Plunkett, a chemist at DuPont, is credited with the discovery of Teflon in 1938. The discovery was made when Plunkett was attempting to make a new chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant. The tetrafluoroethylene gas in its pressure bottle stopped flowing before the bottle's weight had dropped to the point signaling "empty." Plunkett found that the gas had polymerized into a white, waxy solid to form polytetrafluoroethylene.

Properties

Teflon is known for its non-stick properties. It has a high melting point and is able to maintain its properties over a wide range of temperatures. It is also resistant to many chemicals, making it useful in a variety of applications.

Uses

Teflon is used in a wide range of products, including non-stick frying pans, plumber's tape, and in some hair styling tools. It is also used in a variety of industrial applications, including in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

Health and safety

There have been concerns about the safety of Teflon, particularly when it is heated to high temperatures. When Teflon-coated cookware is heated to high temperatures, the coating can break down and release toxic fumes. This can lead to a condition known as "Teflon flu" or polymer fume fever.

See also

• Polymer
• Fluoropolymer
• Chemours
• DuPont

References

Teflon Resources
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