PFA vs PTFE
Polymer · grade comparison
PFA and PTFE are both polymer grades, both corrosion resistant plastic. PFA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for PTFE, about 17% more. PFA is harder — 60 Shore D against 56 Shore D for PTFE — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. PFA is stiffer (0.6 GPa vs 0.5 GPa) and PTFE conducts heat better (0.25 W/m·K vs 0.22 W/m·K). On the shop floor, PTFE machines more easily (very good vs good), PFA welds better (very good vs not recommended), and PTFE sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than PFA (specialty, $$$$$).
PFAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
PTFEChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
PFA vs PTFE: 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
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
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 30 MPa4.4 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Light Transmission
Same in both: Refractive Index 1.35
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 130 µm/m·K72.2 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 260°C500 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 95%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·m3.94×10²³ µΩ·in · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 2.1 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 2×10⁻⁴ · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁸ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁷ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
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
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 70 / 100
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 14 kN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | High Purity (Semiconductor) | Virgin |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining, Sheet metal and Injection molding. Both take the same 6 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.
PFA vs PTFE — frequently asked
Is PFA stronger than PTFE?
Yes. PFA has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for PTFE — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PFA or PTFE?
PTFE is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium 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?
PTFE. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (55/100) for PFA; for welding the order is PFA first (very good, 78/100) then PTFE (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PFA and PTFE 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.