The traditional non-stick surface was devised by DuPont and called "teflon." Its fundamental ingredient is the molecule polytetrafluorethylene, commonly referred to as "PTFE."  Fluorine is the critical atom in the molecule.  Of all the atoms, fluorine holds its electrons the tightest. Because of that, it will not bond easily with other substances.  A molecule of PTFE has four fluorine atoms.  Since the fluorine atoms will not bond readily with other substances, PTFE is very non-stick.  In a sense, it repels other substances.   That is why oil beads on non-stick surfaces.  Another way of putting it is that PTFE is inert; it typically does not react with other substances.  Thus, usually nothing will stick to it. Moreover, if ingested by a human, it will pass through the body without being absorbed into it.

     However, if heated above 530 degrees F, the PTFE molecule becomes unstable and will begin to react with other substances.  Thus undue heat will cause it to deteriorate.

     Cybernox is Sitram's new stick-resistant pan.  It uses Quasi-Crystal, a unique metal alloy developed and patented by the government of France. I t is 10 times harder than stainless steel and far more heat resistant than typical non-stick molecules.  It also conducts heat extremely well.  Thus the pans work well and are super durable.

     Quasi-Crystal does not deteriorate until the heat is over 1800 degrees F.  So it will not deteriorate due to heat in normal cooking.  It also is a metal alloy, so it is harder than PTFE, which is a type of plastic.  However, it is less non-stick than PTFE.  The non-stick property of a substance is measured in millijoules/square meter. The less millijoules/square meter, the more non-stick it is.