PTFE is useful in a wide variety of applications. It is a commonly preferred material for sliding applications, and especially in environments that will expose the part to chemical stress.

Products made with PTFE have exceptional resistance to high and low temperatures, chemical reaction, corrosion, and stress-cracking. The electrical and low-friction properties of PTFE make it the preferred plastic for a host of applications. Due to its structure, PTFE is often formed into semi finished products using a compression process and then machined with cutting/machining tools.

Owing to its low friction, PTFE is used for applications where sliding action of parts is needed. In low friction applications, it performs significantly better than nylon and acetal; it is comparable to ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), although UHMWPE is more resistant to wear than PTFE.

PTFE is the most chemically resistant plastic known. Only a few chemicals react with it. Its mechanical properties are low compared to other engineering plastics, but its properties remain at a useful level over a greater temperature range, from-240°C to 260°C. PTFE has excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties. And, it has a low coefficient of friction. It is difficult to make anything adhere to PTFE. Without proper preparation, a material may stick to it, but the material can be peeled off or rubbed off.