What Is Teflon Tape (PTFE Tape)?
The difference between plumber's Teflon tape and industrial PTFE tape, what each is used for, and how to choose the right type
Last updated: March 2026
Teflon tape is an adhesive-backed tape made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), used either as a thin thread-sealing film for plumbing or as a PTFE-coated glass fabric for industrial machinery. If you are looking for plumber’s Teflon tape to seal pipe threads, it is a thin white film wrapped around threaded fittings to prevent leaks — available at any hardware store. If you are looking for industrial Teflon tape to cover heat sealing jaws, conveyor surfaces, or pressing equipment, it is a thicker, adhesive-backed fabric designed for high-temperature, non-stick applications on machinery.
This guide covers both types of Teflon tape, explains how they differ, and provides detailed information on industrial PTFE tape used in packaging, manufacturing, and food processing. GORTEF supplies industrial-grade PTFE tape across Australia and New Zealand — based on our experience supplying 500+ packaging and manufacturing lines, this is everything you need to know about Teflon tape.
Types of Teflon Tape
The term “Teflon tape” refers to two entirely different products that share the same base material (PTFE) but serve completely different purposes. Understanding which type you need is the most important first step.
1. Plumber’s Teflon Tape (Thread Seal Tape)
Plumber’s Teflon tape — also called thread seal tape, PTFE tape, or pipe tape — is a thin, non-adhesive PTFE film (typically 0.075–0.1 mm thick) wrapped around threaded pipe fittings to create a watertight or gas-tight seal. It fills the micro-gaps between male and female threads, preventing leaks in water supply lines, gas connections, and hydraulic fittings.
- Sold in small rolls at hardware stores (Bunnings, Mitre 10, hardware shops)
- White for general use, yellow for gas fittings, pink for water
- No adhesive — stays in place by wrapping tension and thread compression
- Typical cost: $2–$8 per roll
If you need plumber’s Teflon tape, this is not the product GORTEF supplies. You can buy thread seal tape at any hardware store. The rest of this guide focuses on industrial Teflon tape.
2. Industrial Teflon Tape (PTFE Coated Glass Fabric Tape)
Industrial Teflon tape is a woven glass fibre fabric coated with PTFE and backed with a high-temperature silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is applied to machinery surfaces — heat sealing jaws, conveyor guides, pressing platens, chutes, and rollers — to create a permanent non-stick, heat-resistant surface.
- Sold in wide rolls (up to 1000 mm) by industrial suppliers
- Available in multiple thicknesses: 3, 5, and 10 thou (0.075–0.25 mm backing)
- Silicone adhesive backing for permanent application to equipment
- Rated for continuous use from -73°C to +260°C
- Cut to custom widths for specific machine configurations
This is the product GORTEF manufactures and supplies. See our full range of PTFE coated glass fabric tapes.
3. PTFE Skived Film Tape
A third type worth mentioning is PTFE skived film tape — a pure PTFE film (no glass fabric reinforcement) with a silicone adhesive backing. It is thinner and smoother than coated glass fabric tape, used primarily for low-friction wear strips, chemical protection, and electrical insulation. See our PTFE film tape range for details.
Plumber’s Teflon Tape vs Industrial Teflon Tape
Although both products are made from PTFE, they are not interchangeable. The table below summarises the key differences between plumber’s thread seal tape and industrial PTFE tape.
| Property | Plumber’s Teflon Tape | Industrial Teflon Tape |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Pure PTFE film (uncoated) | PTFE-coated woven glass fabric |
| Adhesive | None — held by wrapping tension | Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive |
| Typical thickness | 0.075–0.1 mm | 0.125–0.27 mm (total with adhesive) |
| Width | 12–25 mm | Up to 1000 mm (custom cut) |
| Temperature rating | Up to ~260°C (material limit) | -73°C to +260°C continuous |
| Purpose | Seal threaded pipe joints | Non-stick, heat-resistant surface on machinery |
| Where to buy | Hardware stores (Bunnings, Mitre 10) | Industrial suppliers (e.g. GORTEF) |
| Typical cost | $2–$8 per roll | $30–$300+ per roll (varies by size) |
What Is Teflon Tape Made Of?
Industrial Teflon tape is made from three layers: a woven glass fibre fabric base, a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating on the working surface, and a high-temperature silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive on the bonding surface. The glass fabric provides mechanical strength and dimensional stability, the PTFE coating provides the non-stick and heat-resistant properties, and the silicone adhesive bonds the tape to machinery surfaces at temperatures up to +260°C.
The Three Layers of Industrial Teflon Tape
- Glass fibre fabric — woven E-glass cloth (typically 80–200 g/m²) provides tensile strength, tear resistance, and dimensional stability under heat. The weave pattern determines the tape’s flexibility and surface texture.
- PTFE coating — polytetrafluoroethylene is applied to the glass fabric through a sintering process at 380–420°C. The resulting surface has the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid material (~0.05–0.10) and is chemically inert to virtually all substances.
- Silicone adhesive — a high-temperature pressure-sensitive silicone adhesive (rated to +260°C) bonds the tape to metal, plastic, or composite surfaces. Adhesion strength is typically 4–6 N/cm depending on thickness.
The PTFE itself is a fluoropolymer discovered by Roy Plunkett in 1938 and commercialised by DuPont under the brand name Teflon. The key property of PTFE is its extremely low surface energy, which prevents almost all materials from sticking to it. For a deeper dive into the material science, see our guide on what is PTFE.
What Is Teflon Tape Used For?
Industrial Teflon tape (PTFE tape) is used wherever a non-stick, heat-resistant surface is needed on machinery. Across the 500+ manufacturing and packaging lines GORTEF supplies in Australia and New Zealand, the most common applications are:
Heat Sealing and Packaging Machines
The largest single application for industrial Teflon tape. PTFE tape covers the heat sealing jaws on impulse sealers, L-bar sealers, flow wrappers, form-fill-seal machines, and band sealers. It prevents plastic packaging film from sticking to the heated jaw surface, ensuring clean seals and preventing film tears. Most packaging lines replace the tape every 1–4 weeks depending on cycle rate. See our packaging industry applications guide for more detail.
Textile and Garment Manufacturing
Teflon tape is applied to the platens of heat presses, fusing machines, and ironing equipment to prevent fabric, adhesives, and transfer materials from sticking. Sublimation, DTF, HTV, and screen-printing businesses rely on PTFE tape to protect platens and produce consistent transfers. See our guide on PTFE tape for heat presses.
Food Processing and Baking Equipment
In bakeries and food factories, PTFE tape lines dough rollers, depositors, conveyor surfaces, oven belts, and chutes to prevent food product sticking. PTFE is FDA-compliant for food contact (21 CFR 177.1550) and withstands continuous temperatures to +260°C. For food safety applications, metal detectable PTFE tapes provide an additional safeguard. See our baking industry page.
Conveyor Systems and Material Handling
PTFE tape is used to line chutes, guide rails, slide plates, and wear strips where low friction and non-stick properties are needed. The low coefficient of friction (~0.05–0.10) reduces material buildup, prevents jamming, and extends equipment life. See our article on PTFE tape for low-friction wear strips.
Electrical Insulation
PTFE has excellent dielectric strength (~60 kV/mm) and retains its insulating properties at high temperatures, making PTFE tape useful for wire harness wrapping, transformer insulation, and coil wrapping in high-temperature environments. See our electrical insulation guide.
Chemical Protection
PTFE is chemically inert to virtually all industrial chemicals at room temperature, including concentrated acids, bases, and solvents. PTFE tape is wrapped around pipes, rollers, and structural members exposed to corrosive chemicals. See our chemical resistance guide.
Laminating
Print shops and signage companies use PTFE tape on heated laminator rollers to prevent film from sticking and wrinkling. See our laminating applications page.
Key Properties of Industrial Teflon Tape
The performance of industrial Teflon tape comes from a combination of properties that no other single material matches. The table below summarises the key specifications.
| Property | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature range | -73°C to +260°C | Covers all standard heat sealing and pressing temperatures |
| Coefficient of friction | 0.05–0.10 | Lowest of any solid material — nothing sticks |
| Dielectric strength | ~60 kV/mm | Excellent electrical insulation even at high temperatures |
| Chemical resistance | Inert to virtually all chemicals | Only attacked by molten alkali metals and fluorine gas at extreme conditions |
| Food contact compliance | FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 | Safe for direct food contact in processing equipment |
| Adhesion strength | 4.4–6.0 N/cm | Strong enough for permanent application, removable when needed |
| UV resistance | Excellent | No degradation from sunlight exposure — suited for outdoor installations |
How to Choose the Right Teflon Tape
Choosing the right industrial Teflon tape depends on your application, operating temperature, and the balance between flexibility and durability. GORTEF supplies PTFE coated glass fabric tape in three standard thicknesses:
| Thickness | Product Code | Total Thickness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 thou | TCG003AD | 0.125 mm | Tight-radius surfaces, complex curves, applications needing maximum heat transfer |
| 5 thou | TCG005AD | 0.165 mm | General-purpose — most heat sealers, pressing equipment, and conveyor surfaces |
| 10 thou | TCG010AD | 0.27 mm | High-wear environments — longest service life between replacements |
For most heat sealing applications, 5 thou (TCG005AD) is the recommended starting point. It offers the best balance between heat conductivity and wear resistance. If your sealing jaw has tight curves, try 3 thou. If your tape wears out too quickly under high production volumes, step up to 10 thou.
Width is equally important. GORTEF supplies tape up to 1000 mm wide and can cut to any custom width to match your machine configuration. When replacing tape on heat sealing jaws, measure the jaw width precisely — tape that is too narrow leaves exposed metal that can damage packaging film, while tape that is too wide wastes material and can interfere with jaw alignment.
For applications needing a smoother, thinner surface (wear strips, guide rails, chemical protection), consider PTFE skived film tapes which are available from 0.085 mm to 0.50 mm. For heat sealing jaws that require a non-adhesive centre strip, zone tapes have adhesive only on the edges to prevent seal marks.
How Long Does Teflon Tape Last?
Tape lifespan varies dramatically depending on operating temperature, cycle rate, and the material being processed. Based on GORTEF’s experience across hundreds of Australian packaging and manufacturing operations:
| Application | Typical Replacement Interval | Key Wear Factor |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume packaging (impulse sealer, 500+ cycles/day) | 1–2 weeks | Repeated jaw compression at temperature |
| Medium-volume packaging (L-bar sealer, 100–500 cycles/day) | 2–6 weeks | Lower cycle rate extends life |
| Heat press (garment decoration) | 2–8 weeks | Ink and adhesive residue accumulation |
| Conveyor guide / wear strip | 3–12 months | Mechanical abrasion from product flow |
| Chemical protection lining | 6–24 months | Chemical exposure (minimal wear in most cases) |
Replace tape when you see discolouration, fraying, edge lifting, or reduced non-stick performance. For detailed maintenance guidance, see our article on how often to change heat seal tape.
Where to Buy Industrial Teflon Tape in Australia
Industrial Teflon tape is not available at retail stores like Bunnings or Mitre 10. Those stores stock plumber’s Teflon tape for pipe sealing, but not the wider, thicker, adhesive-backed PTFE coated glass fabric tape used on machinery.
Industrial PTFE tape is sold through specialist suppliers who can provide the correct thickness, width, and adhesive type for your specific machinery. GORTEF is an Australian manufacturer and supplier of industrial PTFE tapes, belts, and fabrics, delivering across Australia and New Zealand. We offer custom cutting to any width and supply in both small quantities and bulk rolls.
To enquire about pricing and availability, contact GORTEF or browse our full product range.
Summary
Teflon tape comes in two main forms: plumber’s thread seal tape (thin PTFE film for pipe joints) and industrial PTFE coated glass fabric tape (adhesive-backed tape for machinery). Industrial Teflon tape is used on heat sealing jaws, conveyor surfaces, pressing equipment, and anywhere a non-stick, heat-resistant surface is needed. It operates continuously from -73°C to +260°C, is chemically inert, FDA food-contact compliant, and available in 3, 5, and 10 thou thicknesses. GORTEF supplies industrial PTFE tape across Australia and New Zealand with custom cutting to any width.
Sources
- PTFE material properties: DuPont Teflon PTFE Fluoropolymer Resin — Properties Handbook
- Food contact compliance: FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 — Perfluorocarbon Resins
- Temperature and friction data: ASTM D4894/D4895 — Standard Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene
Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial Teflon tape is made from three layers: woven glass fibre fabric for strength, a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating for non-stick and heat-resistant properties, and a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive for bonding to machinery surfaces. Plumber's Teflon tape is a simpler product — just a thin film of pure PTFE with no adhesive or reinforcement.
Yes. PTFE and Teflon refer to the same material — polytetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is the chemical name, while Teflon is a brand name originally trademarked by DuPont (now Chemours). In industrial contexts, both terms refer to PTFE-coated glass fabric tape with silicone adhesive backing.
Plumber's Teflon tape is a thin, non-adhesive PTFE film wrapped around pipe threads to seal joints — available at hardware stores for a few dollars. Industrial Teflon tape is a thicker PTFE-coated glass fabric with silicone adhesive, applied to heat sealing jaws, conveyor surfaces, and pressing equipment — available from industrial suppliers like GORTEF.
Industrial Teflon tape is used for covering heat sealing jaws on packaging machines, lining conveyor belts and chutes, protecting textile pressing equipment, insulating electrical components, providing chemical-resistant surface protection, and any machinery surface that needs non-stick properties at high temperatures.
No. Bunnings and other hardware stores only stock plumber's Teflon tape for pipe sealing. Industrial PTFE coated glass fabric tape for machinery is supplied by specialist industrial suppliers like GORTEF. Contact us for pricing and custom cutting to your machine specifications.
Industrial PTFE coated glass fabric tape is rated for continuous use from -73°C to +260°C. This covers all standard heat sealing (150–220°C), heat pressing (140–220°C), and most industrial processing temperatures. Above 260°C, the PTFE coating begins to degrade.
Replacement frequency depends on cycle rate and operating temperature. High-volume packaging lines (500+ cycles per day) typically replace tape every 1–2 weeks. Medium-volume operations replace every 2–6 weeks. Replace when you see discolouration, fraying, edge lifting, or reduced non-stick performance.
For most heat sealing and pressing applications, 5 thou (0.130 mm backing, TCG005AD) is the best all-round choice. Use 3 thou (TCG003AD) for tight curves or when maximum heat transfer is needed. Use 10 thou (TCG010AD) for high-wear environments where longer service life between replacements is the priority.
Yes. PTFE is FDA-compliant for food contact under 21 CFR 177.1550 and meets Australian food safety standards. It is widely used in food packaging, bakery equipment, and food processing machinery. For additional food safety, GORTEF also supplies metal detectable PTFE tapes.
You May Also Be Interested In
- PTFE Heat Seal Tape — Buy industrial-grade Teflon tape for packaging and manufacturing
- PTFE Skived Film Tapes — Thinner film tapes for wear strips, chemical protection, and insulation
- What Is PTFE? — The material science behind Teflon tape
- How Often to Change Heat Seal Tape — Replacement frequency and maintenance
- PTFE Tape for Heat Presses — Application guide for garment decoration
- Packaging Industry Applications — How Teflon tape is used in packaging machines
- PTFE Chemical Resistance Guide — Chemical compatibility data for PTFE
GORTEF Industrial Teflon Tape Range
TCG003AD
TCG005AD
TCG010AD
TFT020AD
Why Choose Gortef?
Australian Owned
Supplying teflon tapes, sheets and belts to local Australian and New Zealand companies since 1989
Reliable Quality
Industry-leading PTFE tapes, sheets and belts manufactured to the highest standards, trusted by 600+ small to listed Australian companies
Fully Insured
Peace of mind with comprehensive public and product liability insurance coverage
Local Fast Delivery
Local support and FAST delivery to all Australian states