FLUOROCARBONS

 

B.I.R.S. Machine & Supply is a distributor of ECTFE, ETFE, FEP, PCTFE, PFA, PTFE, PVDF and PVF.

 

The fluoropolymers offer plastics with chemical resistance, high and low temperature ranges, resistance to weathering, low friction properties, electrical and thermal insulation and slippery characteristics. Fluoropolymers can not be bonded by gluing or using solvent cement. All of the fluoropolymers will burn when exposed to flame, but they will not continue to burn when the flame is removed.  

 

ECTFE (ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) is a copolymer of ethylene and PCTFE. It is melt processible. It has excellent electrical insulating properties. At ambient temperatures its mechanical properties compare to those of nylon 6. It has excellent impact resistance at ambient and sub ambient temperatures. Its service range is -80 to +300°F. Halar

 

ETFE (ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene) is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene and is readily processed by conventional methods. It has maximum service temperature of 300°F but greater strength and stiffness than PTFE, FEP and PFA. ETFE also has excellent impact strength.

 

FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) processes by conventional means. It is extruded and injection molded. It has the chemical resistance, mechanical and electrical properties of PTFE but a more narrow temperature range - maximum temperature is 400°F. Commonly used to make chemical resistant tanks and vessels for the corrosive chemical industry.

 

PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene) is melt processible. Within its service temperature range, it has greater tensile and compressive strength than PCTFE, FEP, or PFA. At high temperatures it is subject to stress cracking. It does not have the solvent resistance of PTFE, FEP, PFA or ETFE. However, its radiation resistance is better than any of these others. See Kel-F® and Neoflon®. 

 

PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) is also melt processable. Its properties are those of PTFE and include resistance to practically all chemicals, the useful temperature range of PTFE, resistance to weathering, low friction coefficient and excellent electrical insulation characteristics. It is however, more expensive than PTFE and FEP resins.

 

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene-extruded) was the fluorocarbon material. PTFE was originally developed for use in aerospace applications but soon found a home in countless industrial applications. PTFE is the most chemically resistant plastic known. Only a few chemicals react with PTFE. PTFE mechanical properties are low compared to other engineering plastics, but PTFE's properties remain at a useful level over a wide temperature range (-400 to 500F). PTFE mechanical properties can be improved by adding of fillers like glass fiber, carbon, stainless, bronze, graphite, ceramic, calcium-fluoride, eckonol and molybdenum disulfide. PTFE has excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties. PTFE has a low coefficient of fricition. It is difficult to make anything adhere to PTFE. A material may stick to it, but the material can be peeled off or rubbed off. PTFE is not melt processible. It cannot be injection or blow molded, extruded by conventional means, nor vacuum formed. The resin must be compressed, then sintered (a controlled heat treatment) to produce a useful plastic. The fluoroplastics industry began in 1938. DuPont Company discovered the fluorocarbon polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). DuPont called it Teflon®. Over the past 60 plus years, the industry has commercialized seven additional fluoroplastics: ECTFE, ETFE, FEP, PCTFE, PFA, PVDF and PVF. 

 

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene-molded) is not able to be melt processed. The resin must be compressed, then sintered (a controlled heat treatment) to produce useful plastic.

 

PVDF (poly-vinylidene fluoride) is not a processable fluoropolymer capable of being injection molded, compression molded and screw extruded. PVDF is stiffer and resists cold flow better than PTFE, FEP, and PFA. PVDF has a lower useful temperature range (-80 to +300°F). Glass backed sheets of PVDF make liners for vessels as does FEP. Pipe and fittings of PVDF are one of the most economical and chemical resistant, high temperature solid pipe systems available.

 

PVF (polyvinyl fluoride) has outstanding resistance to weathering and good resistance to abrasion and staining. PVF is used as a surfacing film for industrial, architectural and decorative building materials. 

 

 

B.I.R.S. Machine & Supply

12 Buckelew Bridge Road

Anniston, Alabama 36207

P: (256) 405-5370

F: (256) 831-9057

E: salesbirsmachine@gmail.com

www.knowbirs.com

 

B.I.R.S. Machine & Supply is located in east Alabama just off Interstate I20 between Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama.