On this date in 1938 Teflon was invented by Roy J Plunkett. Teflon is a brand name. The actual chemical compound is called Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE for short. Plunkett discovered it by accident when to find an alternative to refrigerant gases. PTFE turned into a solid rather than a gas when frozen, and in time, its numerous uses were discovered. Most people know it as the stuff that coats non-stick pans, but here are ten more uses for Teflon you might not have been aware of:
Clothing, especially children’s clothes, to make stain removal easier.
Coatings for bullets so that they pass through the barrel of a gun with minimal friction.
The plates of hair straighteners.
In chew toys, bowls and beds for dogs like boxers, pit bulls, and golden retrievers which chew a lot. Teflon makes these items more resistant to tears.
It’s used in some brands of dental floss.
It’s used in bookbinding to make tools for folding, scoring and separating sheets of paper. These are typically referred to as Teflon bone folders.
It is often found in ski bindings.
It can be used by scientists studying insects and arthropods to prevent them from escaping.
It is used in a the beauty industry. It’s what gives nail varnishes, eyeshadows and blushers a slippery surface. Chanel, Sally Hansen, Wet n’ Wild and L’Oreal are among the top brands using it.
It has numerous medical and surgical uses as well, including coating of equipment, making artificial veins and membranes and in devices to prevent blistering.
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