From Kitchens to Spacecraft: The Expanding Influence of Teflon Teflon, known scientifically as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), has become one of the most influential materials of the modern industrial world. While many people associate it with nonstick cookware, its true value reaches far beyond the kitchen. Teflon’s unique combination of heat resistance, chemical stability, and friction‑reducing properties has made it a cornerstone material for...