Why is teflon used in laboratory equipment?
Teflon is used in laboratory equipment and electrical insulation for its resistance to heat and many chemicals. Teflon is a trade name for a variety of fluoro-chlorocarbons, though it’s pretty much become a generic term now. It’s expensive compared to many other plastics, but some types are fairly cheap, and anyhow, there’s not much stuff in a roll of teflon tape or a teflon frying pan. It starts to outgas at around 450°F. Technical applications are usually careful to keep it below that, but in the home, preheating an empty pan can take it to 700° or more, releasing enough toxic gas to kill your pet bird.
