What Is Tetrafluoroethylene?
Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), a fluorocarbon, has the molecular formula C2F2 and is known as perfluoroethylene, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene, TEF, or TFE. It is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature, with a molecular weight of 100.02, a melting point of -131.15℃, a boiling point of -75.9℃, and a density of 1.519 g/cm3 at -76°C. Being extremely flammable and combustible, it requires careful handling.
Uses of Tetrafluoroethylene
Tetrafluoroethylene is primarily used as a raw material for fluoropolymers and fluorine-containing compounds, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or Teflon. Teflon is valued for its heat resistance, chemical resistance, lubricity, and non-stick properties, finding use in industrial coatings for equipment parts, machine parts, electrical parts, and household items like frying pan coatings. Other fluoropolymers include PFA and PFEP, used in various chemical, machinery, and electrical applications.
Principle of Tetrafluoroethylene
1. Production Method:
Tetrafluoroethylene is synthesized using chloroform and hydrogen fluoride, where chlorodifluoromethane is formed and then thermally decomposed to TFE. In the lab, it’s produced by thermal decomposition under reduced pressure or from pentafluoropropionic acid.
2. Chemical Properties:
As a nucleophilic, reactive organic compound, tetrafluoroethylene participates in Diels-Alder reactions and readily polymerizes to form PTFE. Hydrolysis yields toxic hydrogen fluoride, and it reacts explosively with certain metals and organometallic compounds. It also forms dibromotetrafluoroethane with bromine.
Types of Tetrafluoroethylene
While tetrafluoroethylene itself is a gas, it is commonly used in polymer forms, such as PTFE. PTFE is a resin available in various forms for different applications. As a reagent or raw material, it is usually sold as a white powder, storable at room temperature.