Resources - Product Comparison - PCTFE vs. PTFE

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<h1 class="herobanner_heading">PCTFE vs. PTFE</h1>
<p class="herobanner_para">Compare PCTFE and PTFE to identify the best option for your project</p>
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<h3>Differences Between PCTFE and PTFE</h3>
<p><a href="#">PCTFE</a> is a fluoropolymer material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability. It has excellent chemical and radiation resistance and good flammability characteristics. PCTFE has a broad temperature range, good resistance to cold flow, and it has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of any unfilled fluoropolymer.</p>
<p><a href="#">PTFE (polytetrefluoroethylene)</a> is a soft, low friction fluoropolymer with outstanding chemical resistance and weathering resistance. PTFE is stable at temperatures up to 500°F and it is often used in high temperature environments. PTFE also has excellent electrical insulating properties.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-md" src="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-4ysbhsn7sv/images/stencil/original/image-manager/pctfe-vs-ptfe.jpg" alt="PCTFE sheets and rods | PTFE sheet and rod" loading="lazy" /></p>
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<h4><strong>PCTFE Material Characteristics</strong></h4>
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<h4><strong>PTFE Material Characteristics</strong></h4>
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<td>Excellent chemical resistance<br />Useful temperature range: –400°F to 380°F<br />Dimensionally stable, rigid, and resistant to cold flow<br />Very low gas permeation and outgassing<br />Near zero moisture absorption<br />Radiation resistance</td>
<td>Outstanding chemical resistance<br />Performs well at elevated temperatures<br />Extremely low friction<br />Soft and formable<br />Good weathering resistance</td>
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<h4>PCTFE <strong>Applications</strong></h4>
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<h4><strong>PTFE Applications</strong></h4>
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<td>Seals and gaskets<br />Aerospace valve seats, pump parts, impellers, diaphragms, and plugs<br />Laboratory instruments<br />Cryogenic and chemical processing components<br />Nuclear service/high radiation exposure<br />Liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen valve lining</td>
<td>Seals and gaskets<br />Valve and fitting components<br />Pump parts<br />Scientific equipment<br />Chemical resistant tubing<br />Manifolds<br />Semiconductor equipment<br />Bearings and bushings (bearing grades)</td>
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<h4><strong>PCTFE Common Brands</strong></h4>
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<h4><strong>PTFE Common Brands</strong></h4>
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<td>Neoflon®, Kel-F®, Aclon®</td>
<td>Rulon®, Fluorosint®</td>
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<h3>Typical Properties of PCTFE vs. PTFE</h3>
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<th>Property</th>
<th><strong>Units</strong></th>
<th>ASTM Test</th>
<th><strong>PCTFE</strong></th>
<th><strong>PTFE</strong></th>
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<td>Specific gravity</td>
<td>–</td>
<td>D792</td>
<td>2.11 – 2.17</td>
<td>2.15</td>
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<td>Water absorption (immersion 24 hours)</td>
<td>%</td>
<td>D570</td>
<td>0</td>
<td><0.01</td>
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<td>Tensile strength</td>
<td>psi</td>
<td>D638</td>
<td>4,860 – 5,710</td>
<td>1,500 – 3,000</td>
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<td>Elongation</td>
<td>%</td>
<td>D638</td>
<td>100 – 250</td>
<td>100 – 200</td>
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<td>Izod impact (notched)</td>
<td>ft-lbs/in</td>
<td>D256</td>
<td>2.5 – 3.5</td>
<td>3.5</td>
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<td>Flexural strength</td>
<td>psi</td>
<td>D790</td>
<td>9,570 – 10,300</td>
<td>–</td>
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<td>Flexural modulus</td>
<td>psi</td>
<td>D790</td>
<td>200,000 – 243,000</td>
<td>72,000</td>
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<td>Dielectric strength (short term)</td>
<td>V/mil</td>
<td>D149</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>400 – 500</td>
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<td>Coefficient of linear thermal expansion</td>
<td>in/in/°Fx10<sup>-5</sup></td>
<td>D696</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>8.9</td>
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<td>Coefficient of friction (dynamic)</td>
<td>–</td>
<td>–</td>
<td>–</td>
<td>0.1</td>
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<td>Maximum continuous service temperature in air</td>
<td>°F</td>
<td>–</td>
<td>380</td>
<td>500</td>
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<td rowspan="2">Hardness</td>
<td rowspan="2">scale as noted</td>
<td rowspan="2">D785,<br />D2240</td>
<td rowspan="2">Shore D 90</td>
<td rowspan="2">Shore D 55</td>
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