polytetrafluoroethylene
[ pol-ee-te-truh-floo r-oh-eth-uh-leen, -flawr-, -flohr- ]
/ ˌpɒl iˌtɛ trəˌflʊər oʊˈɛθ əˌlin, -ˌflɔr-, -ˌfloʊr- /
noun Chemistry.
any polymer, plastic, or resin having the formula (C2F4)n, prepared from tetrafluoroethylene, noted for its slippery, nonsticking properties, and used in the manufacture of gaskets, electrical insulation, tubing, candy molds, container linings, frying-pan coatings, etc.
Origin of polytetrafluoroethylene
First recorded in 1945–50;
poly- +
tetrafluoroethylene
Words nearby polytetrafluoroethylene
polysynthetic,
polytechnic,
polytendinitis,
polytene,
polytene chromosome,
polytetrafluoroethylene,
polytheism,
polytheistic,
polythelia,
polythene,
polythiazide
British Dictionary definitions for polytetrafluoroethylene
polytetrafluoroethylene
/ (ˌpɒlɪˌtɛtrəˌflʊərəʊˈɛθɪˌliːn) /
noun
a white thermoplastic material with a waxy texture, made by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene. It is nonflammable, resists chemical action and radiation, and has a high electrical resistance and an extremely low coefficient of friction. It is used for making gaskets, hoses, insulators, bearings, and for coating metal surfaces in chemical plants and in nonstick cooking vessels
Abbreviation: PTFE Also called (trademark): Teflon
Scientific definitions for polytetrafluoroethylene
polytetrafluoroethylene
[ pŏl′ē-tĕt′rə-flur′ō-ĕth′ə-lēn′, -flôr′- ]
A synthetic polymer consisting of a chain of fluorinated ethane units (C2F4). It is a thermoplastic resin that is resistant to heat and chemicals and has an extremely low coefficient of friction (resistance to objects sliding over its surface). It is used as a coating on cookware, gaskets, seals, and hoses.