Why is polytetrafluoroethylene used as a nonstick coating?

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A labeled diagram of the periodic table entry for fluorine, showing its atomic number 9, symbol F, atomic weight 18.998, electron configuration, and indicating it is a halogen and a gas at room temperature. — fluorine Properties of fluorine.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon, is used as a nonstick coating primarily due to its exceptionally low coefficient of friction, which gives it a distinctively slippery surface.1

This property is a result of the material's unique molecular structure. The polymer consists of a carbon chain surrounded by a protective sheath of fluorine atoms. These atoms form very strong carbon-fluorine bonds, resulting in a molecule that is chemically inert and highly resistant to heat, with a melting point of 327 °C (620 °F). Because the surface is so chemically stable and slippery, food does not adhere to it, allowing for cooking without the need for additional fats or oils.1