Thermoplastic fluoroplastics (PCTFE etc.)

Thermoplastic fluoroplastics are semi-crystalline thermoplastics made from perfluorinated monomers which, unlike PTFE, can be easily processed thermoplastically, e.g. by injection moulding.

Due to its extremely high melt viscosity - above the crystallite melting range (> 327°C), PTFE turns into a gel-like mass - PTFE can only be processed using the press-sintering process. The aim of further development has therefore always been to create thermoplastically processable fluoropolymers.

A typical representative of these thermoplastic fluoropolymers is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which, however, lags far behind PTFE, particularly in terms of thermal resistance, and there are a number of other thermoplastically processable fluoropolymers whose improved processability, as with PVDF, is always accompanied by limitations in other property areas.

Main features

• thermoplastic processable
• Good media resistance

In detail, the thermoplastic fluoroplastics are as follows:
 

• Polytron PFA 
  Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) is a thermoplastic copolymer of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether with tetrafluoroethylene. As with TFM, but to a much greater extent, the perfluoropropyl vinyl ether breaks the strong molecular bond between the fluorine and carbon atoms, resulting in a significantly lower molecular weight and better mobility of the molecular chains. PFA can therefore be processed completely thermoplastically and offers only slightly inferior properties to PTFE.> Data sheet

• Polytron FEP 
  Polyfluoroethylene propylene (FEP) is a copolymer of PTFE and hexafluoropropylene. In contrast to PTFE, FEP can be processed thermoplastically due to its lower melt viscosity, but offers comparable properties in contact with chemicals and as an electrical insulator. However, the mechanical properties of FEP and its temperature resistance are lower than those of PTFE.> Data sheet 
   
• Polytron PCTFE 
  Polyfluorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) is a semi-crystalline, thermoplastic fluoropolymer with good strength and hardness. Its property profile lies between that of PTFE and PVDF. PCTFE is weather-resistant and can be used in contact with foodstuffs.> Data sheet 
   
• Polytron ECTFE 
  Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) is a semi-crystalline, thermoplastic fluorine copolymer with good strength and hardness. Its property profile comes close to that of PVDF. ECTFE is less permeable to chemicals than PTFE and is therefore particularly suitable for applications in the chemical industry. Data sheet