PFA vs. PTFE: What’s the Difference & Which to Choose

Pexco is a North American manufacturer and supplier of both PFA and PTFE tubing, extruding them under its Altaflo® brand to standard sizes and to custom inner diameter, outer diameter, wall, and cut length. Its Altaflo® 400 PFA tubing and Altaflo® 100 PTFE tubing lines cover both materials. This guide compares them property by property and gives a decision rule for selecting between them; for the full material profile of each, see Pexco’s PFA material guide and PTFE properties, grades, and applications guide.

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PFA vs. PTFE: The Key Differences

The key difference between PFA and PTFE is processability. PFA melts and flows, so it can be conventionally extruded and injection molded into complex, dimensionally precise parts; PTFE does not melt-flow and must be paste-extruded, skived from billet, or machined. That single property drives most of the others: PFA’s melt processing gives it higher tensile strength, a higher flexural modulus, longer flex life, translucency, and ultra-high-purity semiconductor grades, while PTFE’s structure gives it the lowest friction and the widest temperature range. Chemically the two are essentially equal — both are fully fluorinated and resist nearly all industrial chemicals.

Property (ASTM test)	PTFE — Altaflo® 100	PFA — Altaflo® 400
Upper service temperature	500°F (550°F short-term)	500°F †
Temperature range	−410°F to 500°F (cryogenic capable)	−300°F to 500°F
Specific gravity (D792)	2.15	2.15
Tensile strength (D1708)	2,500–3,000 psi	4,500 psi †
Elongation (D638)	200–400%	400%
Flexural modulus (D790)	27,000 psi	90,000 psi
MIT flex life (D2176)	1,000,000+ cycles	1,750,000 cycles †
Hardness (D2240)	60 Shore D	60 Shore D
Melt-processable	No (paste-extruded, skived, machined)	Yes (conventional extrusion / molding)
Coefficient of friction	Lowest of any fluoropolymer	Very low
Chemical resistance	Resists nearly all chemicals	Resists nearly all chemicals (equal)
Optical	Opaque white	Translucent
Fittings	Conventional only (not flare-type)	Flare or conventional
FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 (food contact)	Compliant	Compliant

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Is PFA or PTFE More Chemically Resistant?

Neither. PFA and PTFE have essentially equal chemical resistance. Both are fully fluorinated fluoropolymers that are chemically inert to nearly all industrial chemicals and solvents, across the full pH range and at elevated temperature, with low permeability. The practical exceptions are the same for both: molten alkali metals and elemental fluorine and related fluorinating agents at elevated temperature and pressure. Because their resistance is so close, chemical compatibility is rarely the deciding factor between the two materials; the choice usually comes down to processing, mechanics, purity, or cost. For any specific chemistry, check a chemical compatibility chart rather than assuming inertness.

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PFA vs. PTFE Temperature Limits and High-Temperature Performance

PFA and PTFE share the same maximum continuous service temperature: 500°F (260°C). At the high end they perform almost identically, which is why both are specified for hot, corrosive service that would degrade most other polymers. The difference is at the low end and in short-term capability: PTFE runs down to −410°F, giving it true cryogenic capability, and is rated to 550°F short-term, while PFA’s published range is −300°F to 500°F. For a continuous high-temperature chemical line, either material works; for cryogenic service or the widest single-material temperature window, PTFE has the edge.

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PFA vs. PTFE: Flexibility, Strength, and Durability

PTFE is the more flexible material and PFA is the stronger one. PTFE is the most flexible fluoropolymer Pexco offers, with the lowest coefficient of friction of any fluoropolymer and a low flexural modulus (27,000 psi) that lets it bend to a tight radius. PFA is stiffer (flexural modulus 90,000 psi) and mechanically stronger: its tensile strength and MIT flex life are both higher than PTFE’s (see the comparison table), which helps where dimensional stability under load and resistance to repeated flexing matter. In practice, PTFE is favored where a part must bend easily or slide with minimal friction (bushings, bearings, flexible lines), and PFA where it must hold pressure, resist fatigue, or keep its shape under load.

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Which Industries Use PFA vs. PTFE?

PFA and PTFE are used across the same industries (semiconductor, chemical processing, laboratory, medical, and electrical), but for different reasons within each. PFA is chosen where a part must be molded or extruded to a precise geometry, visually monitored, or held to semiconductor-grade purity; PTFE is chosen for machined stock shapes, seals, low-friction bushings and bearings, and the most temperature-extreme lines.

• Semiconductor and high-purity fluid transfer — usually PFA. For high-purity fluid transfer, PFA is generally the better choice because it can be produced in ultra-high-purity, low-extractable grades for clean fluid paths. Pexco’s Altaflo® 480 UHP PFA tubing is made for semiconductor wet-bench and chemical-delivery systems; see the ultra-high-purity PFA guide for detail.
• Chemical processing and fluid handling — both. PFA is used for molded fittings and components and for translucent lines that allow visual flow monitoring; PTFE is used for the most aggressive or temperature-extreme service. See fluid handling.
• Medical and life sciences — both. Both are FDA compliant for food contact under 21 CFR 177.1550. Altaflo 400 PFA meets USP Class VI, making it suitable for medical fluid paths; Pexco also supplies medical-grade PTFE. See medical & life sciences.
• Machined components, seals, and bearings — usually PTFE. PTFE’s low friction and machinability make it the default for seals, bushings, bearings, and other machined stock shapes, including filled grades. See Pexco’s Enflon® PTFE products.

For a fuller breakdown of where PTFE is specified, see the PTFE applications across industries overview.

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PFA vs. PTFE Cost: Which Is More Expensive?

PFA is the more expensive material; PTFE is the lower-cost option. PFA is made from higher-cost resin and is the premium of the two, so PTFE is usually specified when chemical and thermal performance are equivalent and cost is the deciding factor. Because their chemical resistance and 500°F service are essentially the same, PTFE is often the economical starting point, and PFA becomes the better fit when the application requires melt-formed geometry, translucency, flare-type fittings, semiconductor-grade purity, or higher mechanical strength. Final pricing depends on grade, dimension, and volume, so request a quote for an exact comparison.

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PFA vs. PTFE: Which Should You Choose?

Choose between PFA and PTFE by the part, not the chemistry, since their chemical resistance is essentially equal.

Choose PFA when the part:

• must be injection molded or conventionally extruded to a complex, precise geometry
• requires translucency for visual flow monitoring
• has to accept flare-type fittings (PFA takes flare or conventional; PTFE conventional only)
• serves a semiconductor or other ultra-high-purity fluid path
• must carry higher tensile strength, fatigue life, or sustained load

Choose PTFE when the part:

• needs the lowest possible coefficient of friction (bushings, bearings, low-friction liners)
• sees cryogenic temperatures or the widest temperature range
• is machined from stock shapes, rod, or billet
• is a cost-driven choice where PFA’s processing advantages are not required

For tubing specifically, the same logic applies: both are offered across Pexco’s fluoropolymer tubing line, and the PTFE tubing selection guide covers PTFE chemical resistance, temperature, and pressure ratings by size.

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Custom and Bulk PFA and PTFE Tubing from a North American Manufacturer

Pexco extrudes and fabricates both PFA and PTFE tubing in North America, so the material, dimension, and grade can be matched to the application rather than forced onto a stock size. Its Altaflo® 400 PFA tubing and Altaflo® 100 PTFE tubing lines cover standard industrial, heavy-wall, custom, and metric sizes, with custom inner diameter, outer diameter, wall, and cut length available on request, and ultra-high-purity Altaflo 480 UHP PFA for semiconductor service. Both materials are FDA compliant for food contact under 21 CFR 177.1550, and Pexco’s quality system is ISO 9001:2015 certified. For a custom dimension, bulk pricing, or a specific compliance package, request a quote or contact Pexco engineering.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Need PFA or PTFE matched to your chemistry, temperature, mechanical, and purity requirements? Request a quote or contact Pexco engineering.