PTFE Machining Services

DEK's PTFE machining holds ±0.005 mm on general parts and ±0.003 mm on micro components under 10 mm, with no MOQ and prototypes in as fast as 3 days. Every run of custom Teflon parts ships under ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 quality systems.

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±0.005mm
General Tolerance
3 days
Prototype Lead Time
260°C
Max Service Temp

ISO 9001:2015 Certified AS9100D and ISO 13485 certified

Why Engineers Specify PTFE Machining

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), sold as Teflon, is specified for a low coefficient of friction, resistance to nearly every industrial chemical, stable performance across a wide temperature range and high dielectric strength. Cold flow makes it harder to source than most engineering plastics.

Under sustained load PTFE slowly deforms, so a PTFE machining service that ignores it ships parts that drift out of tolerance after they leave the shop. Where moldability also matters, compare Delrin AF (13% PTFE-filled).

±0.005 mm general, ±0.003 mm micro parts
No MOQ, prototypes in as fast as 3 days
ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 systems
In-house CMM inspection on every part

Teflon Material Properties at a Glance

Typical PTFE properties for unfilled (virgin) stock; filled grades trade some friction and chemical performance for stability or wear life.

Tensile Strength
3,000–5,000 psi
Measured per ASTM D638. Adequate for seals and insulators, but load-bearing PTFE parts need design margin for cold flow.
Flexural Modulus
72,000 psi
Measured per ASTM D790 on virgin PTFE. Glass fiber fillers raise flexural modulus for seal faces that see repeated cycling.
Tensile Elongation
300–500%
Measured per ASTM D638. The material does not shear cleanly, so DEK cuts it with sharp, freshly ground tooling to limit burrs.
Coefficient of Friction
0.05–0.10
Measured per ASTM D1894. The main reason PTFE is chosen for bearings and bushings running dry or with minimal lubrication.
Melting Point
621°F (327°C)
Measured per ASTM D3418. Heat buildup during roughing still matters well below this point, since it can push parts out of round.
Temperature Range
500°F (260°C)
Max continuous service temperature per UL746B. Covers gaskets and seals on corrosive or high-temperature process lines.

CNC lathe turning white PTFE rod during machining

±0.005mm
General PTFE tolerance
±0.003mm
Micro parts under 10 mm
1.6–3.2μm
As-machined Ra
1000 mm
Max part envelope (approx.)

How DEK Handles PTFE CNC Machining

PTFE's softness and cold flow make fixturing as important as the cut, so dimensions are checked at multiple stages, not only at final inspection.

1

Multi-Axis Milling

Precision Teflon parts such as housings, insulators and manifold components are cut on 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling centers, without over-clamping the soft stock.
2

Swiss-Type Turning

Small-diameter bushings and seal components run on Swiss-type turning centers, where concentricity matters more than raw material removal rate.
3

In-Process Checks

Over-clamping or roughing heat can push PTFE out of round after release, so dimensions are verified at multiple stages on in-house CMM equipment.
4

Documented Release

IQC, IPQC, FAI, OQC, SPC and CAPA records under our ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 systems trace each lot to the final CMM report.

PTFE Machining Considerations

What our engineers plan for before cutting PTFE, so parts stay in tolerance after they leave the shop.

1

Cold Flow Under Sustained Load

PTFE keeps deforming slightly under sustained load after machining, so tolerances tighter than ±0.003 mm on micro components are hard to guarantee long-term.
2

Choosing Virgin or Filled PTFE

If wear under load is the failure, look at glass- or bronze-filled grades; for chemical exposure or electrical insulation, stay with virgin PTFE, since fillers reduce those properties.
3

Burr Control on a Soft Material

PTFE does not shear cleanly. Sharp, freshly ground tooling keeps burrs to a minimum, yet burring and cold flow still drive up finishing labor and cost.
4

Stock Forms and Part Size

Parts are machined from rod and sheet stock rather than molded or extruded to net shape, up to roughly 1000 mm for large structural components.

When to Choose PTFE vs PEEK, Delrin or UHMW-PE

PTFE usually starts the conversation on chemical resistance; once cost, tolerance or load enter the brief, these engineering plastics can be the better call.

Criteria	This MaterialPTFE	PEEK	Delrin	UHMW-PE
Best for	Chemicals	High load	Tolerance	Abrasion
Stability	Cold flow	Stable	No cold flow	–
Chemicals	Nearly all	–	Weaker	Weaker
Temperature	260°C	High temp	Weaker	Narrower
Cost	–	Much higher	–	Lower

Where Machined PTFE Components Are Used

From dry-running bearings to semiconductor process parts, machined PTFE solves friction, chemical and electrical insulation problems.

Teflon Bushings & Bearings

Bearings and bushings running dry or with minimal lubrication, where PTFE's 0.05–0.10 coefficient of friction matters most.

Bushings Bearings
PTFE Seals & Gaskets

Seals and gaskets for corrosive or high-temperature process lines; carbon-filled grades suit valve seats and rotating seals.

Seals Gaskets Valve Seats
PTFE Insulators

Electrical insulators and standoffs that rely on PTFE's high dielectric strength; virgin PTFE keeps the best electrical performance.

Insulators Standoffs
Semiconductor Components

Semiconductor process components exposed to aggressive chemistries, machined from PTFE for its resistance to nearly every chemical.

Process Components
Medical & Lab Instruments

Medical and lab instrumentation parts requiring biocompatibility and chemical stability, produced under ISO 13485.
Aerospace Assemblies

PTFE bearings, insulators and seals for aerospace assemblies carry the same AS9100D documentation trail as a metal part.

Housings Manifold Components

PTFE Grade Options for Machined Parts

Pick the PTFE grade by what fails first: friction, chemicals, load or wear. All grades are CNC machined from rod and sheet stock.

PTFE Grades

Virgin PTFE
Glass-filled PTFE
Carbon-filled PTFE
Bronze-filled PTFE

Not sure which PTFE grade fits? Ask our engineers to review it

PTFE Machining FAQs

Questions engineers and buyers ask before ordering machined PTFE parts.

What does PTFE machining cost compared to other engineering plastics?

Pricing lands closer to mid-range engineering plastics than the cheapest commodity options. PTFE machines faster than PEEK or Delrin because it is soft, but cold flow and burring drive up finishing labor. Submit a drawing to get an exact number.

How do I choose the right PTFE grade for my application?

Start with what actually fails in virgin PTFE. If it is wear under load, look at glass- or bronze-filled grades; if it is chemical exposure or electrical insulation, stay with virgin PTFE, since fillers reduce those properties.

What tolerances can be held on PTFE parts?

General PTFE machining holds ±0.005 mm, tightening to ±0.003 mm on micro components under 10 mm. Tighter tolerances are hard to guarantee long-term, since PTFE keeps deforming slightly under sustained load after machining.

What quality documentation comes with PTFE parts?

ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 quality systems generate IQC, IPQC, FAI, OQC, SPC and CAPA records for every order, giving traceability from the incoming material lot through the final CMM inspection report.