Behavior of Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) under High Pressures

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Abstract
The presence of polymorphic phase transitions, apparently unique among high polymers, enhances interest in polytetrafluoroethylene, while its potentialities for cryogenic applications make low temperature data particularly valuable. Compression measurements have been made on samples of Teflon at various temperatures between 75°K and 380°K and at pressures up to 21 000 atmos. The phase diagram found for the region above the ice point is in qualitative agreement with previously published results, with a possible additional transition appearing above room temperature at pressures of over 11 000 atmos. Time effects and a large pressure hysteresis make the transition parameters quite ambiguous, and the hysteresis becomes so broad at low temperatures that the phase diagram cannot be extended below the ice point. An apparent negative thermal expansion indicated by the isothermal compression measurements is shown to result from an incomplete high pressure transition. From an engineering standpoint, the measurements indicate that a Teflon gasket loaded to 3000 atmos at room temperature should maintain a seal at any lower temperature.

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