When most people think of Teflon they picture non-stick cookware but this amazing material has a lot more uses than just that. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used in many different ways because of its excellent heat, water, and chemical resistance. Whether it's molded into a part; sprayed as an insulator or coating; or extruded as tubing, this multi-use fluorocarbon has applications in every industry. It's even found as a lubricant on valve oil brass and woodwind instruments to keep them running smoothly.

PTFE is a very difficult material to bond and, until recently, there weren't many adhesives available that could be used straight on it. Now, however, there are several options for adhering teflon and other PTFE materials. The best choice is a structural acrylic adhesive like Permabond POP. This low odor product can be used on both plastic and metal surfaces and is great for small gap filling.

Another option for bonding teflon is adhesive backed teflon tape. This is the same material that plumbers use for making leak repairs. It's thin enough to work on curved surfaces and is offered in a variety of widths. It has a yellow release liner for easy removal.

Adhesive backed teflon is also a good option for resurfacing worn out composite tools or repairing damaged areas on production molds. It works great for all manufacturing processes including hand layup, vacuum bagging, RTM, and compression molding. The film is super thin so folds and wrinkles only push a few thousandths of an inch into the surface of the part. This saves a lot of money over rebuilding or buying a new mold. It's an especially good idea for one-off pre-preg parts that need a quick turnaround.