FEP (FLUORONATED ETHYLENE PROPYLENE)
Material Information
FEP belongs to the fluorocarbon family of thermoplastics. It is a relatively soft material and has lower tensile strength, wear resistance, and creep resistance than many other engineering plastics. FEP has the same mechanical properties, excellent chemical resistance, weatherability, and electrical properties as PTFE but has a narrower temperature range (-454º F to 400º F), is melt-processable, and has much better clarity. Because of this clarity, FEP offers the lowest refractive index of all thermoplastics. Its weatherability also makes it an excellent resistor to ozone and sunlight. FEP’s properties make it ideal for use in tubing with thin walls that can be mechanically expanded or heat shrunk. FEP can be heat sealed, thermoformed, welded, vacuum formed, heat bonded, metallized, laminated, and used as a hot-melt adhesive. It is available in the forms of film, sheet, rod, and tubing. It is clear in thin sections that become translucent in thicker sections.
Application
- Solid pipe and fitting
- Roll covers
- Fire alarm cable
- Aircraft wire
- Glazing for solar energy collectors (film)
- Electrical insulator
- Inert bags for medical applications
- Environmental enclosures
- Protective clothing
- Liner for steel pipe and fitting
- Glass backed sheet for lining vessels
- Tubing
- Heat shrinkable tubing
- Coated fabrics
- Coating for films
- Fiber optics coating
Properties
- High clarity
- Excellent weatherability
- Chemically inert
- Low tensile strength, wear resistance, and creep resistance
- Low permeability to liquids, gases, moisture, and organic vapors
- High dielectric strength
- Superior antistick and low frictional properties
- High resistance to impact and tearing
- Inert to outdoor exposure
- Exceptional heat resistance
- High degree of stress crack resistance
Physical |
Astm Test Method |
FEP |
| Density (lb/in^3) | D792 | 0.078 |
| Specific Gravity | D792 | 2.15 |
| Water Absorption @ 24 hours (%) | D570 | – |
Mechanical |
||
| Tensile Strength (PSI) | D638 | 3,400 |
| Tensile Modulus (PSI) | D638 | – |
| Tensile Elongation at Break (%) | D638 | 325 |
| Flexural Strength (PSI) | D790 | No Break |
| Flexural Modulus (PSI) | D790 | 85,000 |
| Izod Impact (Notched), ft-lb/in | D256 | – |
| Shore D Hardness | D785 | D56 |
Thermal |
||
| Melting Point, °F | D3418 | 500 |
| Continous Service Temp (Operating), °F | – | 400 |
| Flammability Rating | UL94 | VO |
Electrical |
||
| Arc Resistance (sec) | D495 | – |
| Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) @ 50% RH | D257 | >10^18 |
| Dielectric Constant at 1 MHZ | D150 | 2.1 |
| Dissipation Factor at 1 MHZ | D150 | – |
NOTE:
The information contained herein are typical values intended for reference and comparison purposes only. They should NOT be used as a basis for design specifications or quality control. Contact us for manufacturers' complete material property datasheets. All values at 73°F (23°C) unless otherwise noted.