May 9 2001
General Description
A semi-crystalline and expensive melt processable thermoplastic that is essentially a 1:1 alternating copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluorethylene. Even at low temperatures, it has high impact strength and is fairly stiff by fluoropolymer standards.
However, its chemical resistance, although good, is not as good as that of PTFE.
It is used for wire coatings, vessel linings¸ process equipment, and chemical apparatus.
Polymer Type
Thermoplastic
Advantages
Advantages of Ethylenetetrafluoroethylene include:
- Very high impact strength.
- Irradiation cross-linkable.
- May be glass reinforced, which allows for high stiffness for a fluoropolymer.
Disadvantages
Ethylenetetrafluoroethylene can be expensive and is the lowest oxygen index of all the fluoroplastics. Chemical resistance inferior to PTFE, particularly ketones and halogenated hydrocarbons.
Applications
Applications include, linings, chemical apparatus, wire coatings, components for pumps, valves, tower packing.
Typical Properties
| Property |
Value |
| Density (g/cm3) |
1.7 |
| Surface Hardness |
RR50 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) |
28 |
| Flexural Modulus (GPa) |
1.4 |
| Notched Izod (kJ/m) |
1.06+ |
| Linear Expansion (/°C x 10-5) |
16 |
| Elongation at Break (%) |
150 |
| Strain at Yield (%) |
15 |
| Max. Operating Temp. (°C) |
160 |
| Water Absorption (%) |
0.01 |
| Oxygen Index (%) |
31 |
| Flammability UL94 |
V0 |
| Volume Resistivity (log ohm.cm) |
16 |
| Dielectric Strength (MV/m) |
25 |
| Dissipation Factor 1 kHz |
0.0008 |
| Dielectric Constant 1 kHz |
2.6 |
| HDT @ 0.45 MPa (°C) |
105 |
| HDT @ 1.80 MPa (°C) |
71 |
| Material. Drying hrs @ (°C) |
NA |
| Melting Temp. Range (°C) |
310 - 350 |
| Mould Shrinkage (%) |
3 |
| Mould Temp. Range (°C) |
50 - 200 |
Source : Abstracted from Plascams
For more information on Plascams please visit RAPRA Technology Ltd.