TFM-PTFE GR15
Additive grade
also Dyneon TFM, Algoflon TFM
GR15 = 15 % graphite filled modified PTFE
Pick for low-friction, non-stick-slip sliding seals and rotary lip seals in water/steam or lubricated service.
Values for the GR15 condition
Other TFM-PTFE grades and fills
TFM-PTFE is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at TFM-PTFE.
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 |
GR15This page 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 |
What is TFM-PTFE GR15?
TFM-PTFE GR15 is TFM-PTFE in the GR15 grade — pick for low-friction, non-stick-slip sliding seals and rotary lip seals in water/steam or lubricated service. TFM-PTFE GR15 has a tensile strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0.9 GPa (0.131 Msi). TFM-PTFE GR15 has a density of 2.12 g/cm³ (0.0766 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 126°C (259 °F).
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 97/100, better than 98% 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
- Conducts heat well — 0.45 W/m·K (0.26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 2.12 g/cm³ (0.0766 lb/in³), worse than 98% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2.5%, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 11 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
TFM-PTFE GR15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TFM-PTFE GR15; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TFM-PTFE reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
TFM-PTFE GR15 has a density of 2.12 g/cm³ (0.0766 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 126°C (259 °F).
Mechanical11
TFM-PTFE GR15 has a tensile strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0.9 GPa (0.131 Msi).
Thermal10
TFM-PTFE GR15 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.45 W/m·K (0.26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 100 µm/m·K (55.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TFM-PTFE GR15 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 45 kV/mm (1,143 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (97/100), better than 98% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TFM-PTFE GR15 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 GR15's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TFM-PTFE GR15
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.
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.
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) | — |
TFM-PTFE GR15 — frequently asked
What is TFM-PTFE GR15 used for?
TFM-PTFE GR15 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 GR15?
TFM-PTFE GR15 has a typical tensile strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) — weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is TFM-PTFE GR15 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% 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 GR15 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). 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 GR15?
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 GR15 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 GR15?
TFM-PTFE GR15 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.