What is the Difference Between PFOA and PTFE?

When it comes to cooking, ensuring you know the differences between PFOA and PTFE is critical. Luckily, our friendly experts here at Polima PES are on hand to help, and we have outlined some of the critical things you should know about the non-stick coatings market and the options available as follows to help. After all, we understand how important it is to start with quality products, and we’ll never leave it to chance; neither should you.

What is the Difference Between PFOA and PTFE?

Both PFOAs and PTFEs offered a wide range of different properties, making them widely used in a myriad of different applications in the past. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these two compounds have since become recognised for having a range of different impacts on health and the environment; as such, they are not widely used anymore, and many countries have taken steps to prevent their use.

First of all, we should take a look at what PFOAs are. PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is a synthetic compound that was widely used in the fields of non-stick cookware, water-resistant textiles, food packaging, and firefighting foams. It has hydrophilic properties. Unfortunately, as a PFAS, it does not readily break down in the environment, leading to it being given the classification of a “forever chemical.” As a result, there are highly significant concerns regarding the safety of PFOAs.

Meanwhile, PTFE, or Polytetrafluoroethylene, is a synthetic fluoropolymer that is well-known for its non-stick properties and heat resistance, of which the most widely recognized brand name is Teflon. In the past, this compound used to be widely used in cookware coatings, such as non-stick frying pans, as well as in various industrial applications where low-friction and high-temperature resistance were required. Unlike PFOA, PTFE itself is inert and non-toxic at room temperature; however, there are concerns about the potential release of toxic fumes if PTFE-coated products are overheated, which can occur at temperatures above 260°C (500°F). Given its use in cooking environments, this is relatively easy to accomplish, leading to significant concerns regarding the product’s safety.

What are the Differences?

Both PTFE and PFOAs can sound similar. However, there are actually subtle differences that are worth keeping in mind here. Both materials were historically used in the production of Teflon non-stick coatings; however, whereas PTFE was a polymer directly used in the production of Teflon, PFOA was used as an additive to enable this.

Since PTFE is considered inert at room temperature, concerns regarding its safety are fewer than PFOAs. However, while PTFE may be somewhat better than PFOA, it still has the potential to degrade and cause harm if exposed to high temperatures of above 260 degrees Celsius.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for top-quality solutions, our experts here at Polima PES can help. Ineed, we understand how hard it can be to find products that provide excellent non-stick properties without having to compromise, but luckily, our unique solutions are the perfect way to compromise. So, email us at office@polima.com.cn if you’d like to find out more about PES solutions. We’re here to help.