TFM-PTFE
also Dyneon TFM, Algoflon TFM
PTFE modified with a small amount of comonomer to reduce porosity and improve melt-flow, mechanical strength and permeation resistance versus conventional (unmodified) PTFE, while retaining the same chemical/thermal resistance.
Reference datasheet — TFM-PTFE is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
TFM-PTFE grades and fills
TFM-PTFE is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
fine-cut granular resin (compression moulding, ram extrusion) | Pick for thick compression-moulded billets, skived sheet/tape and ram-extruded rod/tube where highest mechanical properties and lowest porosity are needed. | 11 | 32 | 450 | 57 Shore D |
free-flow / agglomerated resin (automatic and isostatic moulding) | Pick for automatic filling of moulds, isostatic moulding of complex lined valves/pumps and large thin-wall parts. | 12 | 34 | 500 | 57 Shore D |
Carbon-black filled, static-dissipative / conductive | Pick where charge build-up must be bled off — solvent and fuel handling parts, semiconductor fluid components, explosive-atmosphere linings. | 12 | 20 | 200 | 60 Shore D |
Barium sulfate filled | Pick for high-purity chemical and food-contact seals needing lower cold flow than virgin resin plus X-ray detectability, without carbon or glass contamination. | 12 | 22 | 290 | 60 Shore D |
20 % carbon fibre filled modified PTFE | Pick for dry-running bearings, compressor piston rings and wear rings needing high creep resistance plus chemical compatibility with HF/alkali. | 13 | 17 | 120 | 65 Shore D |
15 % graphite filled modified PTFE | Pick for low-friction, non-stick-slip sliding seals and rotary lip seals in water/steam or lubricated service. | 13 | 18 | 200 | 60 Shore D |
25 % carbon (coke) filled, often + graphite | Pick for hydraulic seals, guide rings and unlubricated bearings where high load capacity and thermal conduction are required and no metallic filler is allowed. | 13 | 15 | 110 | 64 Shore D |
40 % bronze filled modified PTFE | Pick for heavily loaded bearings/bushings and hydraulic guide rings in dry or oil service; not for aggressive acids or high-purity media (metal pick-up). | 14 | 16 | 150 | 66 Shore D |
25 % glass fibre filled modified PTFE | Pick for valve seats, piston rings and wear parts needing much lower creep/cold flow and better dimensional stability; avoid with hydrofluoric acid or strong alkali. | 17 | 250 | 62 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TFM-PTFE is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FDA | Food / pharma / medical compliant virgin grade | Certification |
NATDefault | Unfilled / natural | Standard supply |
What is TFM-PTFE?
PTFE modified with a small amount of comonomer to reduce porosity and improve melt-flow, mechanical strength and permeation resistance versus conventional (unmodified) PTFE, while retaining the same chemical/thermal resistance. TFM-PTFE has a density of 2.16 g/cm³ (0.078 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 126°C (259 °F). TFM-PTFE has a tensile strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi), weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 480% and the elastic modulus is 0.55 GPa (0.0798 Msi).
What is TFM-PTFE used for?
- High-purity semiconductor components
- Precision-machined seals and liners
- Diaphragms and valve linings
- Skived film for lined vessels
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 99/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 96/100, better than 98% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 480%, better than 89% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 2.16 g/cm³ (0.078 lb/in³), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 4%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 11 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
TFM-PTFE properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
TFM-PTFE has a density of 2.16 g/cm³ (0.078 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 126°C (259 °F).
Mechanical11
TFM-PTFE has a tensile strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi), weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 480% and the elastic modulus is 0.55 GPa (0.0798 Msi).
Thermal10
TFM-PTFE is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 125 µm/m·K (69.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TFM-PTFE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 45 kV/mm (1,143 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (99/100), better than 100% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TFM-PTFE takes about 220 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — more than 90% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
TFM-PTFE's machinability is good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TFM-PTFE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TFM-PTFE
Is TFM-PTFE easy to machine?
Machines easily with very sharp, high positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds; support thin walls, expect elastic recovery and hold tight temperature control since CTE is ~10× steel.
Can TFM-PTFE be welded?
Unlike conventional PTFE it can be fusion/thermal-bonded (hot plate, hot gas, or sinter bonding of overlaps) at 350–380 °C under pressure; no solvent bonding, adhesive joints need chemical or plasma etch.
Can TFM-PTFE be formed, bent or molded?
Not injection mouldable: free-sinter compression moulding, isostatic moulding or ram extrusion of billet, then sinter around 370 °C with slow cool; TFM's lower melt viscosity gives denser, void-free thick sections and better cold-flow resistance than PTFE.
TFM-PTFE 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) PPVE comonmodifier that lowers melt viscosity and void content; PFA-type comonomer, may alternatively be PMVE/HFP in some brands | 0.02 – 1 | 0.1 |
| tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)polymer backbone | ≥ 99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TFM-PTFE?
No coating/plating adheres without surface activation — use sodium-naphthalene etch, corona or plasma treatment before bonding; parts are normally left as machined or skived, with mechanical clamping preferred over gluing.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TFM-PTFE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Dyneon TFMAlgoflon TFM
- Also called
- Modified PTFE
How much does TFM-PTFE cost?
TFM-PTFE is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TFM-PTFE — frequently asked
What is TFM-PTFE used for?
TFM-PTFE is typically used for high-purity semiconductor components, precision-machined seals and liners, diaphragms and valve linings and skived film for lined vessels. In short: denser, less porous PTFE; weldable, unlike standard PTFE; better cold-flow resistance.
What is the tensile strength of TFM-PTFE?
TFM-PTFE has a typical tensile strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is TFM-PTFE easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades). Machines easily with very sharp, high positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds; support thin walls, expect elastic recovery and hold tight temperature control since CTE is ~10× steel.
Can TFM-PTFE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Unlike conventional PTFE it can be fusion/thermal-bonded (hot plate, hot gas, or sinter bonding of overlaps) at 350–380 °C under pressure; no solvent bonding, adhesive joints need chemical or plasma etch.
What surface finishes work on TFM-PTFE?
No coating/plating adheres without surface activation — use sodium-naphthalene etch, corona or plasma treatment before bonding; parts are normally left as machined or skived, with mechanical clamping preferred over gluing.
Can TFM-PTFE be formed, bent or molded?
Not injection mouldable: free-sinter compression moulding, isostatic moulding or ram extrusion of billet, then sinter around 370 °C with slow cool; TFM's lower melt viscosity gives denser, void-free thick sections and better cold-flow resistance than PTFE.
What is the maximum service temperature of TFM-PTFE?
TFM-PTFE 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.
How much does TFM-PTFE cost?
TFM-PTFE is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Dyneon PTFE TFM 1600 / 1700 modified PTFE product information — 3M Dyneon (2021)
- Algoflon TFM modified PTFE granular resins — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2022)
- ASTM D4894 – Standard Specification for PTFE Granular Molding and Ram Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM D4745 – Filled and Unfilled PTFE Molded Sheeting and Molded Basic Shapes — ASTM (2021)
- TECAFLON / fluoropolymer semi-finished product data — Ensinger (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 – Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.