tetrafluoroethylene

[ te-truh-floor-oh-eth-uh-leen, -flawr-, -flohr- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, water-insoluble, flammable gas, C 2 F 4 , used in the synthesis of certain polymeric resins, as Teflon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetrafluoroethylene¹

First recorded in 1930–35; tetra- + fluoro- + ethylene

Example Sentences

The stadium’s roof is clad in ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or ETFE, a tough, translucent plastic that shades fans.

From Los Angeles Times

Like the aquatics center in Beijing built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the southern half of the stadium's roof will be built with a material known as ETFE, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

From Seattle Times

The new roof is comprised of 31 air-filled cushions, made from the polymer ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, which give a "bubble-wrap" effect.

From BBC