What are the benefits of PTFE insulated cables?

PTFE is the abbreviation for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It’s a tough fluorocarbon polymer material that’s used as an insulation material to provide cables with enhance performance for challenging applications and environments. It is most often found on small gauge equipment cables and those for flexible applications.

PTFE materials are often specified for their resistance performance properties against fire, smoke, oil and chemical solvents. It offers superior thermal stability, with a wide operating temperature range between -200°C and +260°C, and also provides good resistance to water, making it suitable for hot and wet environments. Due to the range in temperature, it is often compared to PFA cables.

Like PFA, PTFE is recognised for its thin, non-stick properties - minimal friction and a good level of flexibility are also documented benefits, however it remains a soft polymer so would require additional protection from mechanical stresses. PTFE cables are frequently used in demanding atmospheres such as petrochemical, life sciences, defence and aerospace.

Key characteristics include:

• Excellent dielectric strength
• Low Co-efficient of friction
• Excellent resistance properties against fire, smoke and a wide range of chemicals
• Wide operational temperature range (-200°C to +260°C)