PTFE (Teflon) Weight Calculator
Calculate PTFE sheet, rod, and tube weight — virgin, glass-filled, and carbon-filled grades
PTFE Weight Calculator
Calculation Results
Grade Quick Reference
Formula Used
PTFE Grade Specifications
Density values per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183, referenced against ASTM D1457 (PTFE material specification). Tensile strength per ASTM D638. Operating temperature range for continuous use in air.
| Grade | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Temp Range | FDA 21 CFR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin PTFE — General Purpose | 2.14–2.20 | 20–35 MPa | 250–400% | −200°C to +260°C | 177.1550 |
| 15% Glass-Filled PTFE | 2.22–2.26 | 18–28 MPa | 200–300% | −200°C to +260°C | Verify |
| 25% Glass-Filled PTFE | 2.28–2.36 | 16–25 MPa | 150–250% | −200°C to +260°C | Verify |
| 15% Carbon-Filled PTFE | 2.08–2.13 | 16–24 MPa | 100–200% | −200°C to +260°C | Verify |
Standards: ASTM D1457 (PTFE material specification). Density per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183. Tensile strength and elongation per ASTM D638. FDA compliance (virgin grades) under 21 CFR 177.1550. Filled grades require individual FDA verification with supplier data sheets.
Which PTFE Grade Should You Use?
PTFE grades vary primarily in filler content, which affects creep resistance, wear performance, and density. Virgin PTFE offers unmatched chemical resistance; filled grades trade some chemical resistance for better mechanical performance under sustained load. Weight differences between grades are meaningful — a 25% glass-filled part will be roughly 7% heavier than the same virgin PTFE part.
Virgin PTFE — General Purpose
The pure, unmodified form — white, waxy, and chemically inert against virtually all industrial chemicals including concentrated acids, alkalis, and solvents. The first choice for gaskets, seals, labware, and any application where chemical purity is paramount. Soft and prone to cold-flow under sustained compression; not ideal for bearing or wear applications without modification.
- Density: 2.14–2.20 g/cm³ (nominal 2.16)
- Best choice for: chemical seals, gaskets, labware liners, electrical insulation
- FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 compliant for food contact
15% Glass-Filled PTFE
Short glass fiber reinforcement reduces cold-flow and creep significantly, improving dimensional stability under load. The density increase to 2.24 g/cm³ reflects the glass addition. Chemical resistance is slightly reduced compared to virgin PTFE — glass fibers can be attacked by strong hydrofluoric acid and hot caustic solutions. The most common choice for machined bushings, thrust washers, and valve seats requiring better creep resistance than virgin PTFE.
- Density: 2.22–2.26 g/cm³ (nominal 2.24)
- Best choice for: bushings, valve seats, piston rings, wear pads
- Moderately abrasive to mating surfaces — check counterface hardness
25% Glass-Filled PTFE
Higher glass loading provides the best creep resistance of the glass-filled family — suitable for higher compressive loads and pressures where 15% GF would still cold-flow excessively. Density reaches 2.32 g/cm³, making it the heaviest standard PTFE grade. More abrasive to soft metal counterfaces than 15% GF. Used in high-load sealing applications and structural bearing components in aggressive chemical environments.
- Density: 2.28–2.36 g/cm³ (nominal 2.32)
- Best choice for: high-load seals, compressor rings, structural wear pads
- Requires hardened counterfaces (hardened steel or ceramic preferred)
15% Carbon-Filled PTFE
Carbon filler improves wear resistance and thermal conductivity without the surface abrasiveness of glass fiber. The density is slightly lower than virgin PTFE at 2.10 g/cm³ because carbon is less dense than glass. Electrically conductive — useful for static dissipation applications. Chemical resistance is good but slightly reduced versus virgin PTFE. Preferred for dynamic sealing applications with reciprocating or rotating motion against soft mating surfaces.
- Density: 2.08–2.13 g/cm³ (nominal 2.10)
- Best choice for: dynamic seals, piston rods, bearings with soft counterfaces
- Electrically conductive — suitable for ESD-sensitive environments
Standard Stock Sizes
Common stock dimensions for PTFE sheet, rod, and tube. Confirm availability with your supplier before ordering — PTFE stock is sometimes slower to source than commodity plastics.
S Sheet Stock
Standard sheet size: 12" × 12" to 24" × 24". Common thicknesses:
Metric equivalent (approx): 1.6 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.8 mm, 6.4 mm, 9.5 mm, 12.7 mm, 19 mm, 25 mm, 51 mm
R Rod Stock
Standard rod length: 12" or 24". Common diameters:
Metric equivalent (approx): 6 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 19 mm, 25 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm
T Tube Stock
Common OD × wall combinations:
Wall thickness typically 1/16" to 1/4". Confirm bore and wall with supplier data sheet.
PTFE Applications
PTFE (Teflon) is the premier material for applications demanding chemical inertness, low friction, and high temperature performance. It is used across chemical processing, semiconductor fabrication, food processing, medical devices, and electrical engineering.
Chemical Seals & Gaskets
- Flange gaskets for corrosive media
- Valve stem packing and seats
- Pump seals and diaphragms
- Chemical reactor gaskets
- Semiconductor process seals
Bearings & Wear Parts
- Self-lubricating bushings
- Thrust washers and wear strips
- Piston rings and guide rings
- Slide plates for structural bearings
- Conveyor wear pads
Labware & Electrical
- Laboratory vessel liners
- Analytical instrument components
- High-voltage electrical insulation
- Coaxial cable insulation
- PCB standoffs and insulators
PTFE vs Nylon: Chemical Resistance Focus
PTFE and Nylon are both widely used for machined seals, bearings, and industrial components — but their chemical resistance profiles could not be more different. This comparison focuses on chemical compatibility, which is often the deciding factor.
| Property | PTFE (Virgin) | Nylon 6/6 |
|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 2.16 | 1.14 |
| Tensile Strength | 20–35 MPa | 70–85 MPa |
| Strong Acids | Excellent | Poor |
| Strong Alkalis | Excellent | Moderate |
| Organic Solvents | Excellent | Moderate |
| Water / Moisture Absorption | <0.01% | 1.5–3.5% |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.04–0.10 | 0.15–0.40 |
| Max Service Temp | 260°C / 500°F | 120°C / 248°F |
| Creep Resistance | Poor (cold-flows) | Good |
| Relative Cost | High | Low |
Choose PTFE when:
- Exposure to strong acids, halogens, or aggressive solvents
- Operating temperature exceeds 120°C
- Low friction is critical without lubrication
- Near-zero moisture absorption is required for dimensional stability
- FDA food contact compliance is needed (virgin grade only)
Choose Nylon when:
- Higher tensile and compressive strength is required
- Sustained load without creep is critical
- Cost is a primary constraint
- Chemical exposure is limited to mild environments
- Lighter weight is preferred (Nylon is nearly half the density of PTFE)
Need Nylon weight? Use our Nylon Weight Calculator.
Machining PTFE
PTFE is soft and easily machined but presents specific challenges: it is prone to thermal expansion, cold-flow under clamping pressure, and spring-back after cutting. Understanding these characteristics is essential for achieving tight tolerances.
Best Practices
- Sharp carbide tooling with high rake angles — PTFE cuts cleanly but gummy chips can drag; sharp tools minimize this
- High surface speeds, light cuts — reduces heat buildup and surface tearing
- Allow thermal stabilization before final cuts — PTFE expands significantly; machine to final size after the part has temperature-stabilized
- Light clamping pressure — PTFE cold-flows under clamps; over-clamping distorts the workpiece and causes out-of-round on release
- Air blast preferred over flood coolant — PTFE is hydrophobic and does not benefit from water-based coolants; air keeps chips clear
What to Avoid
- Do not overheat PTFE — above 260°C it begins to decompose and releases toxic perfluorinated compounds; adequate ventilation is mandatory
- Avoid excessive clamping force — distortion from workholding is the most common source of dimensional error in PTFE machining
- Do not machine to final tolerance without accounting for spring-back — PTFE recovers elastically after cuts; measure after pressure is released
- Avoid dull tooling on glass-filled grades — glass filler is abrasive; HSS tools dull rapidly on GF grades; use coated carbide
- Do not use PTFE for high-load structural applications without filler — virgin PTFE will cold-flow and lose dimensions under sustained compressive load
Standards & Certifications
PTFE is governed by established ASTM and FDA standards. Virgin PTFE has one of the broadest regulatory acceptance profiles of any engineering plastic, covering food contact, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor applications.
ASTM D1457
Standard specification for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) molding and extrusion materials. Classifies PTFE by type (granular, fine powder, dispersion) and grade. The primary material specification for engineering PTFE sheet, rod, and tube stock. Density, tensile strength, and elongation requirements are defined per this standard.
FDA 21 CFR 177.1550
Virgin PTFE is listed under FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 (perfluorocarbon resins) for repeated use in contact with food. This covers PTFE used in food processing equipment, seals, conveyor components, and labware that contacts food. Filled grades must be individually verified — the filler must independently comply or be covered by a separate regulation.
USP Class VI & ISO 10993
Virgin PTFE is commonly certified to USP Class VI for pharmaceutical and medical device contact applications. ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing is available from major suppliers for medical-grade PTFE. These certifications are material- and supplier-specific — always obtain certification documentation directly from your PTFE supplier for regulated applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of PTFE (Teflon)?
Virgin PTFE density is 2.14–2.20 g/cm³, with 2.16 g/cm³ used as the standard nominal value per ASTM D1457. Filled grades differ: 15% Glass-Filled PTFE is approximately 2.24 g/cm³, 25% Glass-Filled PTFE is approximately 2.32 g/cm³, and 15% Carbon-Filled PTFE is approximately 2.10 g/cm³. PTFE is one of the densest common thermoplastics — roughly twice the density of polyethylene — due to its high fluorine content.
How do I calculate PTFE sheet weight?
Use the formula: Weight (g) = Length (mm) × Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) ÷ 1000 × Density (g/cm³). For a virgin PTFE sheet 500 mm × 500 mm × 6 mm: 500 × 500 × 6 ÷ 1000 × 2.16 = 3240 g (3.24 kg). The same sheet in Nylon would weigh approximately 1710 g — PTFE is nearly twice as heavy per unit volume. The calculator above handles both metric and imperial inputs automatically.
What temperature range can PTFE handle?
Virgin PTFE has one of the widest operating temperature ranges of any engineering plastic: −200°C to +260°C (−328°F to +500°F) for continuous use. This makes it suitable for cryogenic applications, high-temperature process equipment, and everything in between. Above 260°C, PTFE begins to degrade and can emit harmful fluorinated decomposition products — always ensure adequate ventilation when machining and never use PTFE above its rated temperature limit.
Is PTFE (Teflon) FDA approved for food contact?
Yes — virgin PTFE is listed under FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 for repeated use in contact with food. It is widely used in food processing equipment, seals, gaskets, conveyor wear pads, and labware. Filled grades (glass-filled, carbon-filled) require individual verification with your supplier — the filler material may not fall under 21 CFR 177.1550. Always obtain a formal FDA compliance letter from your supplier for regulated food contact applications.
What is the difference between virgin PTFE and filled PTFE grades?
Virgin PTFE is unmodified polytetrafluoroethylene — it offers the best chemical resistance, lowest friction coefficient (as low as 0.04), and widest temperature range, but has poor creep resistance and will cold-flow under sustained compressive load. Filled grades add glass fiber, carbon, graphite, or bronze to reduce creep and improve wear resistance. The trade-offs are slightly reduced chemical resistance, increased density (glass-filled), or increased abrasiveness to mating surfaces (glass-filled). For sealing and chemical applications, virgin PTFE is preferred; for bearings, bushings, and wear pads under sustained load, filled grades perform significantly better.
How do I calculate Teflon (PTFE) rod weight?
PTFE rod weight = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × length (mm) ÷ 1000 × density (g/cm³). For a 25 mm diameter × 1000 mm virgin PTFE rod (2.16 g/cm³): π × 12.5² × 1000 ÷ 1000 × 2.16 = 490.9 cm³ × 2.16 = 1,060 g (1.060 kg). The same rod in Nylon 6/6 (1.14 g/cm³) weighs only 560 g — PTFE is nearly twice as heavy per unit volume due to its high fluorine content. Select Rod shape in the calculator above and enter diameter and length in metric or imperial units.