PTFE(polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, which is a high-molecular-weight compound comprised of carbon and fluorine. Other than Teflon, PTFE is also commonly called as Fluon and Syncolon.

PTFE is popularly used as a non-stick coating for pans, cookware or fiber. PTFE is often used in containers and pipes for handling reactive and corrosive chemicals, this is due to its non-reactive properties.

PFA, or Perfluoroalkoxy, is a type of fluoropolymer. It has very similar properties as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). What distinguishes it  from the resins of PTFE is that PFA is melt processable.

PFA is generally used for plastic lab equipment because of its optical transparency, overall flexibility, and extreme resistance to chemical attack. PFA is also often used as tubing for handling critical or highly corrosive processes. Other applications for PFA are as sheet linings for chemical equipment.

PFA is superior to PTFE in terms of flexibility, particularly when it comes to tubing applications. On the other hand, PFA’s flex life (capacity to endure repetitive folding) is lower than that of PTFE. PTFE is slightly more resistant to heat than PFA. PFA is more affected by water absorption and weathering but is superior to PTFE when it comes to salt spray resistance. The most significant quality of PFA over PTFE is its electrical properties. It possesses the dielectric constant of PTFE as well as a very similar dissipation factor; yet PFA has a dielectric strength three to four times higher than that of PTFE.