America 250 Candidate: Teflon
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AUTOMATION HISTORY · AMERICA 250 · REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
American milestone: 1938 · Roy J. Plunkett · DuPont, New Jersey
Status: Replacement candidate. Final number pending chronology audit.
Why it belongs in America 250
While researching new refrigerants at DuPont in 1938, American chemist Roy Plunkett discovered polytetrafluoroethylene, later commercialized under the Teflon name. The material combined unusual chemical resistance, low friction and thermal properties.
Connection to automation
PTFE became important in seals, bearings, wire insulation, chemical-processing equipment and other machinery where low friction and chemical resistance improve reliability.