Fluoropolymers

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Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers are a family of plastic resins which are based on fluorine/carbon bonding. The family of products is varied through a manipulation of that bond by adding or subtracting fluorine through other bonds such as chlorine, ethylene and other chemical agents. Fluoropolymers are strong, lightweight, and durable. They can also resist heat, water, salt and chemicals and do very well in demanding environments.

Fluoropolymers Subcategories

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)

PCTFE

PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene), is a fluoropolymer material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability. PCTFE has excellent chemical resistance, radiation resistance, and flammability characteristics. The material has a useful temperature range of -400°F to 380°F. PCTFE is resistant to cold flow and it has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of any unfilled fluoropolymer. These characteristics make it an excellent choice when dimensional stability is critical.


Common Applications:
  • Cryogenic and chemical processing components
  • Seals and gaskets
  • Aerospace valve seats
  • Pump parts
  • Impellers
  • Diaphragms and plugs
  • Liquid oxygen/nitrogen valve linings etc.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), more commonly known as Teflon, is the largest-volume fluoropolymer which has a unique combination of properties. Because of its high crystallinity (90%) and incapability of specific interaction, PTFE has exceptional chemical resistance and is insoluble in all organic solvents. Today PTFE probably accounts for at least 85%of the fluorinated polymers and, in spite of its high cost, has a great diversity of applications PTFE has good weathering resistance. The polymer is not wetted by water and has negligible water absorption (0.005%). PTFE is a tough, flexible material of moderate tensile strength (2500–3800 psi, i.e., 17–21 MPa) at 238C. Temperature has a considerable effect on its properties. It remains ductile in compression at temperatures as low as 4K (K2698C). The creep resistance is low in comparison to other engineering plastics. Thus, even at 208C unfilled PTFE has a measurable creep with compression loads as low as 300 psi (2.1 MPa). PTFE has outstanding insulation properties over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies


Common Applications:
  • Valve seats
  • Seals
  • Washers
  • Rings
  • Containers
  • Pipes
  • Coatings on cookwares, etc.
Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane (PFA)

PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) is a tough, flexible fluoropolymer that is used for flexible tubing and fluid processing equipment when chemical resistance, high purity, and low stiffness are required. PFA has outstanding electrical properties including high dielectric strength, a low dissipation factor, and a low dielectric constant. The material has outstanding resistance to outdoor weathering. PFA has similar mechanical properties to FEP, but it has a higher service temperature than FEP and superior electrical properties compared with FEP.


Common Applications:
  • Pump housings and pipe linings
  • Fluid handling and chemical processing equipment
  • Tank linings
  • Semiconductor wafer carriers, etc.

Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)

Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) is an inert, transparent and semi-crystalline fluorocopolymer consisting of hexafluoropropylene (TFE) and tetrafluoroethylene (HFP) repeat units. It has outstanding thermal, electrical and chemical resistance, a very low coefficient of friction (self-lubricating and non-stick), and high dielectric strength. However, unlike PTFE resin, it is melt-processable using conventional injection molding and extrusion equipment. FEP is ideally suited for applications where broad chemical resistance, high durability over a wide service temperature range, excellent dielectric properties and a low coefficient of friction are required or are advantageous.


Common Applications:
  • Thermoformed components
  • Heat-sealable bags
  • Electrical insulation cables and connectors
  • Lining for pipe and chemical processing equipment.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

PVDF is characterised by excellent chemical resistance without having the disadvantages of low mechanical values and/or processing difficulties which can be experienced with other fluoropolymers. It has a high mechanical strength, Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties.

The material PVDF shows a melting point of 171°C. Service temperature for PVDF IS around 150°C.


Common Applications:
  • Chemical plant engineering with higher mechanical stress
  • Food and pharmaceutical industries with higher temperatures and mechanical loadings
  • Valves and Pumps.
  • Filter plates
  • Pipelines and Fittings
  • Coil bodies
  • Battery and sensors