Preparation of Teflon or PTFE

Last Updated: Jul 31, 2013

May 3 • General • 24090 Views • 5 Comments on Preparation of Teflon or PTFE

TEFLON:
Teflon is a plastic like  substance which is  produced by  polymerizing  tetrafluoroethylene (CF2 = CF2).
Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE):
Polytetrafluroethylene is also  known as Teflon. It is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. it is a polymer which have numerous applications.

The IUPAC name of Teflon is:
Poly (1, 1, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethylene).
FORMATION OF POLYTETRAFLUROETHYLENE or TEFLON or PTFE:
It is formed when chloroform is treated with the  hydrofluoric acid and antimony trifluoride .
Reactions:
SbF3                   800oC
CHCl3 ———→ CHF2Cl ————→ CF2 = CF2
HF                     –HCl (b.pt. –76oC)
when polymerused tetrafluoroethylene forms a material which  plasic like on appearance and is called Teflon.

nCF2 = CF2 ————→ (– CF2 – CF2 –) n
(Tetrafluoroethylene)            (Teflon)

PROPERTIES OF TEFLON OR (PTFE):
• Teflon is one of the chemically inert substance.  And It is not affected by strong acids which are chemically harmfull  and even after  by boiling aqua- regia.

• it has the property to be stable at high temperatures

• It is a thermoplastic polymer, that appears as a  white solid at room temperature, having a  density of about 2200 kg/m3. It has a melting point of  600 K (327 °C; 620 °F).
• It bears  mechanical properties  such at the degrade gradually at temperatures above 194 K (−79 °C; −110°F).
• PTFE mainly consist of carrbon-fluorine bonds and it also gains the  properties from the bonds  created only.  alkali metals and most highly reactive fluorinating agents are the only chemicals that can affect its property.
• It has a coefficient of friction  that is 0.05 to 0.10 which is the third-lowest of any known solid material. It has one of the profecien tdielectric properties.

APPLICATIONS AND ITS USES:
• PTFE is usually used to coat  in the  non-stick frying pans as it has the ability to resist high temperatures.
• IT  is  mostly used as a film interface patch for sports and medical applications, having a  pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. It is installed in one of the  high friction areas of footwear, in soles, ankle-foot orthosis.

• It is widely used in medical synthesis,test and many more medicines.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Q1. What is the IUPAC name of Teflon?
Ans: Poly (1, 1, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethylene).

Q2. Are cookware products that are coating with Teflon nonstick coatings safe?
Ans: Yes, products coated with Teflon nonstick coatings are safe as it is heat resitant and can withstand high temperatures.

Q3. Write the reactions involved in the formation of PTFE?
Ans: Reactions:

SbF3 800oC
CHCl3 ———→ CHF2Cl ————→ CF2 = CF2
HF –HCl (b.pt. –76oC)

On polymerization tetrafluoroethylene forms a plastic-like material which is called TEFLON.
nCF2 = CF2 ————→ (– CF2 – CF2 –) n
(Tetrafluoroethylene) (Teflon)

Q4. Which of the following is Teflon
(a) [– CF2 – CF2 –] n (b) CF2 = Cl2
(c) CF ≡ Cl(d) All of these
Ans: (a) [-CF2-CF2-] n

Q5. What are the other polymers similar to Teflon?
Ans: 1 (PFA)
2(FEP)

Preparation of Teflon

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