18 AWG PTFE / Teflon Insulated Wire
18 AWG PTFE wire has a conductor of about 0.93 sq mm and is used for power and lead wiring in hot, oily or chemical environments where a thin, tough insulation is needed. PTFE (Teflon) is rated from −60°C to 250°C, does not burn easily, and resists nearly all chemicals, oils and solvents.
We build 18 AWG from 19 strands of 0.25 mm wire, following MIL-W-16878 / NEMA HP-3 style constructions. With the Type E (600 V) wall of about 0.25 mm the finished diameter is about 1.75 mm. Type ET (250 V) and Type EE (1000 V) walls are also available; the configurator recalculates the diameter and spark-test voltage for each grade.
Conductor choices are silver-plated copper (SPC), nickel-plated copper (NPC), bare copper, SS + copper and pure nickel. SPC is the usual choice up to 200°C for good solderability; NPC is preferred up to 250°C because nickel plating resists oxidation better at high temperature.
As a rough guide, 18 AWG PTFE wire carries about 11 A in free air. PTFE's thin wall lets it run cooler than thicker insulations of the same size, but bundling and high ambient still reduce the rating, so share your conditions for confirmation.
Choosing the right size: If your load is lighter, the next smaller size is 20 AWG PTFE Wire, which is easier to bend and terminate. If the current is near the limit, or the wire runs in a hot bundle, step up to 16 AWG PTFE Wire for extra margin. Under-sizing a high-temperature wire makes it run hotter, which shortens insulation life, so it is better to choose by current and ambient temperature together.
18 AWG PTFE PTFE wire is supplied on spools or drums in a wide range of colours, including striped colours for harness identification. For a quote, tell us the AWG or sq mm size, conductor plating, voltage grade, colour and total length.
Every batch is made at our Rewari factory and ships with a Material Test Certificate. Use the PTFE configurator to choose AWG or sq mm, conductor, voltage grade and colour and download a technical data sheet, or ask for a quote on WhatsApp.
Specifications
| Size | 18 AWG (≈ 0.93 sq mm) |
|---|---|
| Stranding | 19 × 0.25 mm |
| Wall (Type E, 600 V) | ≈ 0.25 mm |
| Overall diameter (Type E) | ≈ 1.75 mm |
| Voltage grades | Type ET 250 V, Type E 600 V, Type EE 1000 V |
| Temperature rating | −60°C to +250°C |
| Conductor options | SPC, NPC, Bare Cu, SS + Cu, Pure Nickel |
| Current (free-air estimate) | ≈ 11 A |
| Construction reference | MIL-W-16878 / NEMA HP-3 style |
| Documents | Batch MTC; TDS from the configurator |
Typical values. Your TDS and batch MTC are the binding documents.
Typical applications
- Heater and motor leads in hot zones
- Chemical and oil-exposed wiring
- High-temperature power connections
Frequently asked questions
How many strands does 18 AWG PTFE wire have?
19 strands of 0.25 mm, giving about 0.93 sq mm.
SPC or NPC conductor — which should I choose?
SPC suits continuous use up to about 200°C and solders easily. NPC is preferred up to 250°C because it resists oxidation better.
What is the diameter of 18 AWG PTFE wire?
About 1.75 mm with the Type E 600 V wall. Type ET is thinner and Type EE is thicker.
Is PTFE wire made to MIL-W-16878?
Our constructions follow MIL-W-16878 / NEMA HP-3 style dimensions. Tell us if you need a specific approval and we will confirm what we can document.