Teflon is a trade name for polytetrafluoroethylene, a type of synthetic (artificially made) material that is used in cookware, insulation, and many other products. Teflon is manufactured by the DuPont Company, and the name Teflon is a registered trademark of DuPont. Roy J. Plunkett, an American chemist, invented this material in 1938.
Teflon is a polymer, a substance consisting of long, chainlike molecules. Each molecule is made up of a chain of tens of thousands of carbon atoms, with each carbon atom also connected to two fluorine atoms. Teflon is inert–that is, it does not react with most other chemicals. It also resists moisture and remains stable in extreme heat and cold. Teflon feels slippery to the touch, and adhesive materials will not stick to it.
