Whether it was a flash of genius, serendipity, or luck, the 1938 discovery of polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as Teflon, changed our lives. The nonstick coating created by spraying PTFE on various materials and baking it to create a smooth, inert surface is now used everywhere from frying pans to rocket parts. But it’s not just for cookware; it is also used on insulators, bearings, and wires, and has even helped astronauts survive space travel!

But is it safe for your health? Using teflon profile cookware as directed is fine, but it’s important to keep in mind that the PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) used during manufacturing can find its way into your food. PFOA has been linked to health conditions like kidney disease, thyroid disorders, testicular cancers, and low birth weight. Fortunately, manufacturers are now switching to a different chemical that doesn’t contain PFOA.

Teflon has excellent electrical properties, and can be used on bare or printed circuit boards (PCBs). It has a low dielectric constant, which reduces capacitance between the conductive traces and ground plane, decreasing signal distortion or loss. It can be used on metals such as tin, silver, or gold, but is best for use on copper.

Before applying a teflon coating, the substrate must be cleaned and degreased. Grit blasting is the preferred method, but chemical washes and solvent cleaning and degreasing can be employed. Wheel sanding and directional grinding can be employed in some cases, but should not be used where the desired adhesion is required. If the substrate is to be coated with a resin-bonded product, it must be preheated to the temperature of bake before the coating application. This prevents contamination of the substrate by oil that would otherwise react with the acid primer.