Fluoroplastics:-  A complicated word given to a group of plastics where the molecules contain carbon and fluorine. The plastic polythene is a molecule consisting of a carbon chain with hydrogen atoms attached. PTFE is much the same but with the hydrogen atoms replaced by fluorine atoms. This dramatically changes the properties of the material, and fluoroplastics therefore tend to have special properties:-
Very high working temperatures. Non-stick characteristics. Very high resistance to chemical and solvents. Very high electrical resistance.

The more common members of the fluoroplastic family are:

PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene)
Trade names: Teflon , Fluon, Hostaflon.
PTFE is the oldest of all fluoroplastics, yet it still exhibits the best performance in terms of temperature, chemical resistance, and non-stick properties. Its major disadvantage is that it does not actually melt when heated and therefore is difficult to process. Unconventional techniques are needed to mould, extrude and weld it.

FEP (Fluoro Ethylene Propylene)
Trade names: Teflon ® Hostaflon
This is mainly manufactured by DuPont Co. and  developed as a ‘‘melt processable’’ version of PTFE. In other words, it can be processed by normal plastic methods such as injection moulding. It has similar properties to PTFE but a lower maximum operating temperature of 200°C instead of 260°C.

PFA (Per Fluor Alkoxy)
PFA was developed as a high temperature version of FEP. Similar in properties but it can be used at temperatures up to 260°C. It is very expensive!

ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene Copolymer)
Trade Name: Tefzel ®
DuPont developed this material as a 'Tough PTFE'. It is a normal thermoplastic but is much harder than PTFE & FEP and similar in hardness to nylon. It is therefore used as an 'Engineering Plastic'. To gain an improvement in stiffness,a price is paid by reduced chemical resistance and working temperature.

E-CTFE (Ethylene-Chloro Tri Fluoro Ethylene)
Trade name: Halar ®
A tough plastic with similar properties to Tefzel. Used mainly for its chemical resistance.

PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Fluoride)
Trade names: Kynar®, Solef®
Hard plastic roughly comparable to Halar and relatively cheap compared with other fluoroplastics. Good chemical resistance but not as good as C-TFE and ETFE.

PVF (Polyvinyl Fluoride)
Trade name: Tedlar®
Again a hard tough fluoroplastic with limited chemical and temperature resistance. Normally used as a film in gas bags, solar heating panels, printing circuit laminating, etc.

Teflon ® was the trade name originally used by DuPont for its fluorinated polymers PTFE, FEP and PFA. In recent years DuPont have made Teflon ® the brand name for licensed users of these products and now includes materials such as paint & textile additives. Other manufacturers also manufacture PTFE, FEP & PFA and for this reason Elder does not to use Teflon® as a description. It is our intention to choose the most appropriate material for any application and not be restricted to one manufacturer.

The above information is very general. If you have specific requirements regarding Fluoropolymers, do not hesitate to contact Elder direct on 01707 325513.We may not have all the answers, but in the event that we cannot answer your question,we will do our best to check them on your behalf so that you are able to select the best material for your application.

Teflon® , Tedlar® and Tefzel® are the registered Trade Marks of the Du Pont Company