PFA (PERFLUOROALKOXY)
Material Information
PFA belongs to the fluorocarbon family of thermoplastics. It shares many of the same properties as FEP, but is considered to be a more premium resin. PFA is preferred over FEP when extended service is required in hostile environments that involve chemical, thermal, and mechanical stress. It offers high melt strength, stability at high temperatures, excellent crack and stress resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and more than 10x the flex life of FEP. PFA also has high resistance to creep, excellent low temperature toughness, exceptional flame resistance, and has a higher temperature of use (500º F). PFA is available in the form of film, sheet, rod, and tubing.
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
- Excellent weatherability
- Chemically inert
- High melt strength
- Excellent low temperature toughness
- Excellent flame resistance
- High temperature of use (500º F)
- Stability at high temperatures
- Excellent crack and stress resistance
- Low coefficient of friction
- 10x the flex life of FEP
- High resistance to creep
- Low permeability to liquids, gases, moisture, and organic vapors
- High dielectric strength
- High resistance to impact and tearing
Physical |
Astm Test Method |
PFA |
| Density (lb/in^3) | D792 | 0.078 |
| Specific Gravity | D792 | 2.15 |
| Water Absorption @ 24 hours (%) | D570 | – |
Mechanical |
||
| Tensile Strength (PSI) | D638 | 3,600 |
| Tensile Modulus (PSI) | D638 | – |
| Tensile Elongation at Break (%) | D638 | 300 |
| Flexural Strength (PSI) | D790 | No Break |
| Flexural Modulus (PSI) | D790 | 85,000 |
| Izod Impact (Notched), ft-lb/in | D256 | – |
| Shore D Hardness | D785 | D60 |
Thermal |
||
| Melting Point, °F | D3418 | 582 |
| Continous Service Temp (Operating), °F | – | 500 |
| 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.