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PTFE-C25 C25

Additive grade · default condition

C25 = 25% carbon powder filled

Default general-purpose carbon-filled PTFE for dry-running piston/guide rings, valve seats and hydraulic seals.

High cost $$$$

Values for the C25 condition

Other PTFE-C25 grades and fills

PTFE-C25 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PTFE-C25.

Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Conductive carbon black filled
Choose when only static dissipation is required and near-virgin mechanical properties must be kept.102022058 Shore D
25% carbon + 5% graphite
Pick for dry-running oil-free compressor piston/rider rings: lowest friction and best PV of the carbon family.11147566 Shore D
15% carbon powder filled
Lower filler loading when more ductility/sealability is needed and wear duty is moderate.121713062 Shore D
C25DefaultThis page
25% carbon powder filled
Default general-purpose carbon-filled PTFE for dry-running piston/guide rings, valve seats and hydraulic seals.12159065 Shore D
20% carbon powder filled
Intermediate loading balancing wear resistance and elongation for dynamic seals.121611064 Shore D

What is PTFE-C25 C25?

PTFE-C25 C25 is PTFE-C25 in the C25 grade — default general-purpose carbon-filled PTFE for dry-running piston/guide rings, valve seats and hydraulic seals. PTFE-C25 C25 has a yield strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi). PTFE-C25 C25 has a density of 2.08 g/cm³ (0.0751 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).

Advantages

  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 98/100, better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Conducts heat well — 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
  • Low moisture uptake — 0.02%, better than 92% of polymer grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Heavy — 2.08 g/cm³ (0.0751 lb/in³), worse than 98% of polymer grades
  • High mold shrinkage — 2.5%, worse than 93% of polymer grades
  • Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
  • Low strength — 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), worse than 88% of polymer grades

PTFE-C25 C25 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PTFE-C25 C25; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PTFE-C25 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

PTFE-C25 C25 has a density of 2.08 g/cm³ (0.0751 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).

Density2.08 g/cm³0.08 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)327°C621 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)120°C248 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.02%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.05%

Mechanical15

PTFE-C25 C25 has a yield strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus1 GPa0.15 Msi
Shear Modulus0.35 GPa0.05 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.44
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)15 MPa2.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)12 MPa1.7 ksi
Elongation at Break90%
Compressive Strength20 MPa2.9 ksi
Compressive Modulus1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
Flexural Strength15 MPa2.2 ksi
Flexural Modulus1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
Shear Strength14 MPa2 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched90 J/m1.7 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore A98 Shore A
Hardness, Shore D65 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R58 HRR

Thermal10

PTFE-C25 C25 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.5 W/m·K0.29 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)260°C500 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa130°C266 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa70°C158 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 (PTFE matrix, non-burning in air)
Limiting Oxygen Index93%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)300°C572 °F

Electrical3

PTFE-C25 C25 has an electrical resistivity of 10 Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity10 Ω·m3.94×10⁸ µΩ·in
Volume Resistivity1,000 Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity10,000 Ω

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceExcellent98/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryEssentially inert to acids, bases, solvents, steam and fuels like virgin PTFE; the carbon filler is attacked by strong oxidizers (fuming/concentrated HNO3, oleum, chromic acid, aqua regia) and by molten alkali metals and elemental fluorine.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PTFE-C25 C25 takes about 165 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 86% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)8.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water450 L/kg53.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability6

PTFE-C25 C25's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityVery good70/100
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
PolishabilityPoor25/100
Mold Shrinkage2.5%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)375°C707 °F

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated7 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated0.5 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated72 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated0.2 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PTFE-C25 C25

Is PTFE-C25 easy to machine?

Turns and mills easily with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tools and light clamping; the coke filler is abrasive so tools dull faster than on virgin PTFE, and fine conductive dust needs extraction.

Can PTFE-C25 be welded?

Cannot be fusion or solvent welded; join by mechanical clamping, bonding after sodium-etch/plasma surface activation, or by re-sintering in a mould.

Can PTFE-C25 be formed, bent or molded?

Not melt-processable — preform is cold compression-moulded then free-sintered at ~370–380 °C with slow cool; ram extrusion is used for rod and tube, allow ~2–3% sinter shrinkage.

What surface finishes work on PTFE-C25?

Machined surfaces stay matte black and cannot be painted or plated without etching; deburr with sharp blades, and stress-relieve (annealing near 250 °C) before final finishing on precision rings.

PTFE-C25 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
carbon powder (petroleum coke / carbon bwt%; some grades substitute 5% of it with graphite23 – 2725
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)suspension/fine-cut PTFE moulding powder≥ 73 (balance)—

PTFE-C25 C25 — frequently asked

What is PTFE-C25 C25 used for?

PTFE-C25 C25 is typically used for compressor piston rings and rider bands, pump seals in oxidizer-free chemical service, bearings and bushings and valve packing. In short: highest-conductivity PTFE compound; dry-running compressor ring grade; avoid strong oxidizers.

What is the yield strength of PTFE-C25 C25?

PTFE-C25 C25 has a typical yield strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is PTFE-C25 C25 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Turns and mills easily with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tools and light clamping; the coke filler is abrasive so tools dull faster than on virgin PTFE, and fine conductive dust needs extraction.

Can PTFE-C25 C25 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Cannot be fusion or solvent welded; join by mechanical clamping, bonding after sodium-etch/plasma surface activation, or by re-sintering in a mould.

What surface finishes work on PTFE-C25 C25?

Machined surfaces stay matte black and cannot be painted or plated without etching; deburr with sharp blades, and stress-relieve (annealing near 250 °C) before final finishing on precision rings.

Can PTFE-C25 C25 be formed, bent or molded?

Not melt-processable — preform is cold compression-moulded then free-sintered at ~370–380 °C with slow cool; ram extrusion is used for rod and tube, allow ~2–3% sinter shrinkage.

What is the maximum service temperature of PTFE-C25 C25?

PTFE-C25 C25 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between PTFE-C25 C25 and PTFE-C25 CB-ESD?

C25 is the default condition — default general-purpose carbon-filled PTFE for dry-running piston/guide rings, valve seats and hydraulic seals. CB-ESD: choose when only static dissipation is required and near-virgin mechanical properties must be kept. Yield strength is 12 MPa in C25 versus 10 MPa in CB-ESD.

Sources

  1. ASTM D4745 — Filled Compounds of PTFE Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2021)
  2. ASTM D4894 — PTFE Granular Molding and Ram Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2019)
  3. Filled PTFE compound datasheets (carbon, carbon/graphite grades) — Ensinger / Zeus / Chemours (Teflon design handbook) (2023)
  4. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.