What makes a good seal?

[braddie77]

I have been heavily contemplating a reusable seal that is not flour and water, but know most materials are unsuitable until today I realised that teflon is used to seal piping and is used as a coating on our fry pans to create a non stick surface.

Although there is a debate as to whether the coating on our fry pans is carcinogenic or not is a discussion for another time (what isn't supposed to give you cancer these days?)

So I was thinking about adapting this material to a gasket possibly?

Also, if anyone has used other substances successfully, please let me know...

Brad.

*EDIT Just read the rules we live by bit, and understand that plastics are heavily discouraged, BUT I am not the sort of person to jump headlong into something, I am merely looking for some collaboration of sorts and will use all means necessary to get a straight answer.