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Poor Performance & Hidden Costs: Why Teflon™ is Failing Your Tank Seals

Still trusting Teflon™ to protect your product, your tanks, and your bottom line? In 2025, that’s like guarding your data with a floppy disk.

In the aboveground storage tank (AST) world, materials matter. Especially when it comes to floating roof seals, where failure isn’t just a nuisance – it’s a direct hit to your ROI, compliance, and safety.

At Mesa ETP, we’ve seen the evidence: Teflon™ is aging out – quickly. Armor Fabric™ is the future.

The Truth: Teflon™ Can’t Handle Modern Tank Demands

Sure, Teflon™ has name recognition. It resists chemicals. But that’s where the praise ends.

Here’s what Teflon™ won’t tell you:

  • It’s rigid, prone to cracking, and is incredibly fragile.
  • It lets moisture through like a sponge in disguise.
  • And yes – it’s made from PFAS, the environmental villain making headlines and regulation lists around the globe.

That’s not a seal. That’s a liability.

The Showdown: Armor Fabric™ vs. Teflon™

Let’s break it down – no fluff, just facts.

Moisture Vapor Transmission (MVT)

Let’s be clear: Moisture = Vapor. Vapor = Emissions. Emissions = Product Loss. When vapor escapes through the seal, you’re not just losing compliance – you’re losing inventory.

  • Teflon™: As permeable as landscaping fabric. It holds emissions about as well as plain copy paper – meaning it doesn’t.
  • Armor Fabric™: Engineered to be virtually impermeable. It keeps your product where it belongs – sealed in, compliant, and protected.

Flexibility & Fatigue Resistance

Floating roofs move. Your seal material better move with them.

  • Teflon™: Rigid. Cracks under stress. Delaminates.
  • Armor Fabric™: Built to flex. Bends without breaking. Holds up over years of stress cycles.

Tear Resistance

Tears happen fast – especially during installation or cycling.

  • Teflon™: Brittle. Tears easily. Propagates under pressure.
  • Armor Fabric™: Reinforced for strength. Stops tears before they start.

Chemical Compatibility

You store tough stuff. Your seal needs to stand up to it.

  • Teflon™: Good chemical resistance, but struggles with blends and ozone.
  • Armor Fabric™: Built for hydrocarbons, additives, ethanol blends, and more.

It’s a Tie – But only Armor Fabric™ gives you chemical resistance plus durability and flexibility.

PFAS-Free = Future-Proof

Let’s talk about the elephant in the tank: PFAS. Teflon™ is a fluoropolymer – and that puts you directly in the regulatory crosshairs.

  • Teflon™: Contains PFAS. Increasingly restricted. Possible future liability.
  • Armor Fabric™: 100% PFAS-free. Fully compliant with global environmental standards.

The Final Scorecard

FeatureTeflon™Armor Fabric™
Moisture BarrierHigh Moisture PenetrationUltra-Low Moisture Penetration
FlexibilityBrittle, Cracks EasilyFatigue-Resistant
Abrasion ResistanceModerate at bestIncredibly High
Tear ResistancePoorExcellent
Chemical ResistanceExcellentExcellent
PFASLadden with PFASCompletely PFAS-Free

Stop Settling. Start Sealing Smart.

Armor Fabric™ was designed by engineers who live and breathe tank integrity. It’s built to solve the real-world problems that Teflon™ creates.

You don’t run your operations on legacy systems – why seal them with one?

Contact Us For More Information

Schedule Your Free Tank Trends Talk Now

Download our Armor Fabric™ vs Teflon™ Performance Test Report

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