PTFE (Teflon)
Low friction, chemical and thermal resistant.
- Common grades
- Virgin PTFE · Glass-filled PTFE (15–25%) · Carbon / graphite-filled PTFE
- Machinability
- PTFE is chosen for three superlatives: the lowest friction of any solid plastic, near-total chemical inertness, and electrical insulation that holds from -200 °C to +260 °C.
- Tolerances
- Agreed per grade at DFM: engineering plastics move with temperature and moisture, so critical fits are toleranced feature by feature
- Processes
- CNC milling, CNC turning and 5-axis machining
- Finishes
- Machined finish · Deburring and edge control
- Used in
- Semiconductor, Oil & Gas, Medical
- Certification
- Manufacturer certificate of conformance and lot traceability with every shipment
Machining PTFE (Teflon)
PTFE is chosen for three superlatives: the lowest friction of any solid plastic, near-total chemical inertness, and electrical insulation that holds from -200 °C to +260 °C. Seals, bearings, insulators, labware and fluid-handling parts are its home ground.
The same softness that makes PTFE slippery makes it tricky to machine precisely: it deflects away from the tool, creeps under clamping pressure, and moves with temperature ten times more than steel. Razor-sharp tooling, gentle workholding and experience are what keep dimensions honest.
We machine virgin and filled PTFE routinely and tolerance it appropriately: ±0.1 mm is realistic on most features, tighter where geometry allows. Where a design needs PTFE's surface but better stability, filled grades close much of the gap.
Common Grades We Machine
- Virgin PTFE - Maximum chemical inertness and dielectric performance: seals, insulators, labware and food contact.
- Glass-filled PTFE (15–25%) - Much better creep resistance and wear life for mechanical seals and rings.
- Carbon / graphite-filled PTFE - The bearing and piston-ring grades: lowest wear at load with retained low friction.
Applications by Industry
- Semiconductor - chemically inert fluid-handling and insulator components for process equipment.
- Oil & Gas - seals, seats and back-up rings that survive aggressive media.
- Medical - low-friction instrument components and fluid-path parts.
Surface Finishing Options
- Machined finish - PTFE is not coated or painted; the machined surface is the finish.
- Deburring and edge control - clean seal edges and lips, where PTFE part quality is won or lost.
See our surface finishing services for the full range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are PTFE tolerances looser than other plastics?
PTFE is soft, creeps under load and expands with temperature far more than harder plastics; it physically cannot hold POM-like tolerances in service. We tolerance to the material's real behaviour: typically ±0.1 mm, tighter where geometry allows.
When should I use filled PTFE?
Whenever the part carries mechanical load: glass or carbon filling improves creep and wear dramatically while keeping the low-friction, chemically resistant surface.
Is PTFE food- and medical-safe?
Virgin PTFE grades meet food-contact and many medical requirements; we source certified stock with documentation where your application demands it.
Precision PTFE (Teflon) Manufacturing in Singapore
Need complex PTFE (Teflon) parts manufactured to tight tolerances? Explore our 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining, CNC milling, CNC turning and certified ISO Class 6–8 cleanroom assembly capabilities.
Speak with Our Sales & Engineering Team
Explore how Shine's Singapore precision CNC machining and cleanroom assembly integrate into your global supply chain. We welcome technical consultations, mutual NDAs, and facility audits.
- Mutual NDA executed within 24 hours
- ISO 9001:2015 certified & Cyber Essentials mark
- 24–48h engineering DFM feedback & formal RFQ pricing