---
title: "PTFE — density, melting point and properties"
description: "PTFE has a density of 2,170 kg/m³ (2,140–2,200). Melting point, strength, conductivity, what it is used for, and whether it floats, rusts or is magnetic."
url: https://atoneplace.net/material/ptfe/
site: "At One Place"
---

# PTFE

**Density of PTFE: 2,170 kg/m³ (2,140–2,200)**

2.17 g/cm³ · 135.5 lb/ft³

The lowest coefficient of friction of any solid, and effectively inert to every common chemical, which is why it lines reaction vessels and coats pans. At 2170 kg/m³ it is the densest common plastic, roughly twice the density of the polyethylene and nylon it sits alongside. It has a real crystalline melting point at 327 °C but does not flow when melted — it is processed by sintering like a ceramic, not by injection moulding — and above about 260 °C it releases fumes that cause flu-like symptoms and are lethal to pet birds, which is the real reason not to leave a non-stick pan on a high empty flame.

## Properties

- **Density:** 2,170 kg/m³ (2,140–2,200) — 2.17 g/cm³
- **Melting point:** 327 °C
- **Tensile strength:** 20–35 MPa
- **Young's modulus:** 0.5 GPa
- **Thermal conductivity:** 0.25 W/(m·K)
- **Thermal expansion:** 135 µm/(m·K)
- **Floats in water:** No
- **Magnetic:** No

## What it is used for

- Non-stick pan coatings
- Plumbing thread seal tape
- Chemical-resistant gaskets and linings
- Low-friction slide bearings and cable liners

## How it compares

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.*

- air: 1.2 kg/m³
- expanded polystyrene foam: 20 kg/m³
- rigid polyurethane foam: 40 kg/m³
- Water — the float line: 1,000 kg/m³
- PTFE: 2,170 kg/m³
- tungsten: 19,250 kg/m³
- gold: 19,300 kg/m³
- platinum: 21,450 kg/m³

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.*

| Material | Density | Relative to water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 kg/m³ | 0.04× |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 kg/m³ | 0.02× |
| air | 1.2 kg/m³ | 0.00× |
| PTFE ← | 2,170 kg/m³ | 2.17× |
| platinum | 21,450 kg/m³ | 21.45× |
| gold | 19,300 kg/m³ | 19.30× |
| tungsten | 19,250 kg/m³ | 19.25× |

## Does it rust?

PTFE contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Whether it degrades depends on the material, not on oxidation.

## Is it magnetic?

PTFE is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Common questions

### What is the density of PTFE?

2,170 kg/m³ (2,140–2,200), or 2.17 g/cm³.

### Does PTFE float?

No. At 2,170 kg/m³ it is denser than water.

### Is PTFE magnetic?

PTFE is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Related pages

- [Does PTFE float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/ptfe/)
- [PLA](https://atoneplace.net/material/pla/)
- [ABS](https://atoneplace.net/material/abs/)
- [Acrylic (PMMA)](https://atoneplace.net/material/acrylic/)
- [Polycarbonate](https://atoneplace.net/material/polycarbonate/)
- [Polypropylene](https://atoneplace.net/material/polypropylene/)
- [Rigid PVC](https://atoneplace.net/material/pvc-rigid/)
- [HDPE](https://atoneplace.net/material/hdpe/)
- [Epoxy resin](https://atoneplace.net/material/epoxy-resin/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)