Abstract: Finely divided polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder is disclosed having a remarkable combination of high apparent density and high moldability, the latter being reflected as a small difference in specific gravity (.DELTA.SG) of standard moldings molded at high and low preform pressures. For example, molding powders having an average particle diameter (d.sub.50) of no greater than 60, a .DELTA.SG.sub.5.sub.-1 of no greater than 30 and apparent density of at least 600 g/l are disclosed. These molding powders are obtained from unique process steps involving either the fine powder type of polytetrafluoroethylene or the granular type of polytetrafluoroethylene as the starting material. The fine powder type is compacted to a high degree, followed by partially decompacting the resultant compacted fine powder to the molding powder particle size desired.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder is compacted at or near room temperature at a pressure of 8000 psi (562 kg/cm.sup.2) to 50,000 psi (3513 kg/cm.sup.2), followed by partially decompacting the resultant compacted fine powder to a molding powder having an average particle diameter of less than 100 microns.