Who discovered teflon and how was it discovered?
Teflon was discovered by Dr. Roy Plunkett on April 6, 1938 at the DuPont research laboratories in New Jersey. Dr. Plunkett was researching chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants so he produced 45.36 kilograms of
tetrafluoroethylene gas and stored it in small cylinders at dry-ice
temperatures in preparation to chlorinating it. He prepared a cylinder for use but
none of the gas came out- however the cylinder still weighed the same as
before. Plunkett opened it to find inside was a white powder, which he
fortunately decided to characterise for properties other than refrigeration
potential.
After studying this product, it was evident that it had very low surface friction, heat resistant and chemically inert. As Dr. Roy Plunkett became aware of the potentially useful qualities of this product, specialist polymer chemists and engineers from the Central Research Department investigated the substance further, resulting in the accidental discovery of Teflon.
After this, Plunkett was transferred to the tetraethyl lead division of DuPont and received many awards and honors for his discovery.
After studying this product, it was evident that it had very low surface friction, heat resistant and chemically inert. As Dr. Roy Plunkett became aware of the potentially useful qualities of this product, specialist polymer chemists and engineers from the Central Research Department investigated the substance further, resulting in the accidental discovery of Teflon.
After this, Plunkett was transferred to the tetraethyl lead division of DuPont and received many awards and honors for his discovery.