Fluorinated polymers
ISO 9001 DNV GL Certification Mark

Fluorinated polymers

ECTFE, ETFE, PFA, PVDF

For high technology applications, thermo-processable fluoropolymers are the most synthetic plastic materials used and are in the top spots of the thermoplastic quality ranking. They feature high resistance to chemical agents, UV rays, and oxidants. Many of them are also resistant to high temperatures and ensure extremely high mechanical performance.

Fillers 

Carbon fibre is the most added filler in fluorinated polymers to improve their characteristics.

Applications

– Food industry
Thanks to its natural colour, many fluorinated polymers are approved for use in contact with food.

– Chemical and petrochemical industry
Thanks to its high chemical resistance, they have found their main application in this field.

– Electronics

– Mechanical

ECTFE

(Ethylene ChloroTriFluoroEthylene)

ECTFE is a versatile semicrystalline plastomer, which combines resistance and ease of processing.
ECTFE is usually used for valve seats, bearings, cams, semiconductor processing, wires, cables and in electric insulators, (thanks to its high resistivity and low dielectric constant).

Benefits provided by ECTFE:

  • excellent isolator;
  • resistant to irradiation and weathering;
  • resistant to high temperatures (up to +150°) also for long periods;
  • good mechanical strength;
  • excellent resistance to impacts, abrasions, and gas permeation
    good chemical resistance to most acids, bases, and solvents;
  • oil-proof.

ETFE

(Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene)

ETFE is the evolution of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with the addition of ethylene. It is transparent, lighter and more resistant, isolating, and easily workable than glass.
It is extremely resistant to a number of factors: from solvents, acids to radiations, from impacts to high temperatures, etc.
ETFE can also be filled with carbon filter.


Benefits provided by ETFE:

  • thermal resistance to both low (-30 °C) and high (200 °C) temperatures;
  • high impact strength;
  • significant electric strength and good conductive capacity;
  • transparent and resistant to UV rays;
  • totally recyclable;
  • excellent chemical, biological, radiation (cobalt), and weather agent resistance.

PFA

(Perfluoroalkoxy-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer)

PFA has features similar to other fluoroplastics with better sliding resistance and is easier to process through injection moulding.

Benefits provided by PFA:

  • better sliding resistance;
  • easy to process through injection and extrusion moulding;
  • resistant to high temperatures (up to +260°);
  • chemical resistance and same
  • characteristics as PTFE;
  • low friction coefficient;
  • gas resistant.

 

PVDF

(Polyvinylidene fluoride)

PVDF is a special polymer belonging to the fluorinated polymers family; it is thermally stable to high temperatures and is chemical resistant. Compared to other fluorinated polymers, it has a low melting temperature, which allows for easy moulding.
PVDF is used for electronic appliances and as insulator. It is mainly used in the chemical industry for piping and pumping, as they require high resistance over time to aggressive chemical agents. It is also used in the chemical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, food, electric, and automotive industries.
We at Crea mould both pure PVDF and carbon fibre filled and antistatic PVDF, which allows higher performance.

Benefits provided by PVDF:

  • stable to high temperatures (up to +150°);
  • high chemical resistance also at high temperatures;
  • easy processing;
  • high mechanical strength;
  • excellent stability to UV rays and radiations;
  • low generation of vapours in case of flame/inherently flame retardant.