Intro to Teflon, Serendipitous Discovery, Chemical Properties, Production, Changing History, Conclusion
Teflon has changed history. Here is a list of some of the great impacts Teflon has had on our society.
1. Used for its protective attributes in the US Space Program’s space suits, heat shields, insulation and cargo liners.
2. Significantly impacted computer chip manufacturing because of its inert properties.
3. Used in nearly all tubing and piping in the semiconductor industry.
4. Teflon is used to insulate thousands of miles of communication cables due to its heat and chemical resistance.
5. In liquid form Teflon can repel water and stains from fabrics without influencing breathability, color, or feel.
6. Teflon coated fiberglass has revolutionized architecture. It is used on buildings such as Pontiac Sliver Dome, Orange Bowl, Metro Dome, and other significant structures. Teflon coated fiberglass is the most permanent of the coated architectural fabrics. It was first used architecturally in 1973 and has a life expectancy of more than 30 years. Teflon is so useful architecturally because of its anti-aging, self-cleaning, transparency, and fire retardant properties.
7. Perhaps most notably it was used to insulate valves, seals, and pipes containing Uranium Hexafluoride. This enabled the US to develop a nuclear bomb during the Manhattan Project.