PFA vs PTFE-C25
Polymer · grade comparison
PFA and PTFE-C25 are both polymer grades. PFA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for PTFE-C25, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). PFA is the more ductile: elongation 330% versus 90% for PTFE-C25, and PTFE-C25 is harder (65 Shore D vs 60 Shore D). PTFE-C25 is lighter (2.08 g/cm³ vs 2.15 g/cm³ for PFA) and PTFE-C25 is stiffer (1 GPa vs 0.6 GPa). On the shop floor, PTFE-C25 machines more easily (very good vs good), PFA welds better (very good vs not recommended), and PTFE-C25 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than PFA (specialty, $$$$$).
PFAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PTFE-C25Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
PFA vs PTFE-C25: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Shear Modulus
Compressive Modulus
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.02%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 260°C500 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PFA | PTFE-C25 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| Default condition | High Purity (Semiconductor) | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
PFA vs PTFE-C25 — frequently asked
Is PFA stronger than PTFE-C25?
Yes. PFA has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for PTFE-C25 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PFA or PTFE-C25?
PTFE-C25 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while PFA is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PFA or PTFE-C25?
PTFE-C25. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for PFA; for welding the order is PFA first (very good, 78/100) then PTFE-C25 (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PFA and PTFE-C25 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.