Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP, and PFA are some of the most frequently utilized fluoropolymers. Each offers unique properties. What do you think about PFA vs FEP.
FEP, commonly referred to by its brand name Teflon, is a melt-processable plastic material with low gas and liquid permeability properties that is UV-resistant and gamma-sterilizable; additionally, it offers excellent electrical insulation properties.
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High-Temperature Resistance
PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) is a melt-processable fluoropolymer with outstanding chemical resistance and elevated temperature performance, used widely in applications requiring high purity at elevated temperatures, such as medical tubing, heat exchangers, and semiconductor components. With excellent chemical resistance at both elevated temperatures and caustic chemicals – PFA makes an ideal material to meet these criteria.
FEP and PFA injection molded materials are solid and mechanically robust, making them suitable for creating plastic labware and tubing that must withstand prolonged contact with harsh chemicals. Both FEP and PFA are resistant to degradation caused by organic acids, enzyme attacks, and microbiological growth – an advantage in applications like labware manufacturing where regular exposure must take place.
FEP and PFA materials make an excellent choice for battery separators due to their low gas and liquid permeability, helping insulate and isolate electrical components of batteries while decreasing short-circuiting risk and failure risk. This feature of these materials distinguishes them from less effective alternatives such as soft polyvinyl chloride tubing.
High Durability
FEP and PFA are highly durable materials designed to withstand the high pressures and vibrations experienced during battery assembly, manufacturing, and use. As they are nonreactive materials, they help ensure purity in battery components while also helping prevent degradation and corrosion.
Contrary to PTFE, which degrades under high energy radiation and loses some of its properties, FEP can be crosslinked using either ionizing or ultraviolet radiation to increase its resistance and maintain its mechanical integrity at higher temperatures – making it an excellent option for high-temperature applications.
FEP and PFA materials, like PTFE, can be formed into precise tubing to form custom seals for applications that demand chemical resistance or high-temperature capabilities – making them the go-to choice in semiconductor, chemical, oil & and gas, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical & medical industries.
Low Permeability
PFA is a melt-processable fluoropolymer with many of the same properties as PTFE and FEP but with superior thermal stability up to 260degC or 500degF and chemical resistance for more excellent chemical exposure resistance. PFA can be found widely used for chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & and gas, and aerospace applications.
PFA injection molded parts feature low permeability to gases and liquids, making them an excellent material choice for battery separators. These separators prevent direct contact between positive and negative electrodes while still allowing ions to pass, helping prevent explosions while maintaining the performance of your battery.
PFA is also widely used to construct chemical seals known as “chem-rings,” which serve to shield delicate components from contamination, and signal failures or damaged equipment can threaten expensive investments. Hercules OEM offers PFA chem-rings that are solvent resistant, chemically inert (except against attack by alkaline metals or fluorine at high temperatures), have memory close to that of rubber O-Rings, can be easily shaped or welded for complex designs, and have excellent shape memory retention properties.
Excellent Electrical Insulation
No material can provide 100% electrical insulation. However, glass, plastic, porcelain, and Teflon have high electrical resistance – meaning they prevent current from passing through even under highly high voltages – making them suitable for use as high-voltage insulators and switches.
FEP and PFA injection molded parts possess excellent dielectric properties, meaning that they effectively prevent electricity from passing through them and potentially damaging batteries. This feature can help ensure the proper functioning of batteries.
Fluoropolymers like PTFE, PFAS (Perfluoroalkoxy), and ETFE provide excellent electrical insulation properties. Meanwhile, PTFE offers higher tensile strength and chemical inertness compared to FEP but lower continuous operating temperature. ETFE, on the other hand, has a lower working temperature but more durable and chemically resistant features. Kapton film made of polyimide is another fantastic insulator; its DC dielectric strength exceeds 20kV/mil, and it’s available from numerous manufacturers in thicknesses and tape widths from multiple manufacturers.
Excellent Chemical Resistance
PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) stands out among fluoropolymer materials for its strength in protecting against chemical corrosion and permeation due to the strong bonds formed between fluorine-carbon atoms within its polymer chains and any outside atoms or molecules binding with them. This keeps unwanted materials out.
PFAF stands out with its superior chemical resistance, making it an excellent material choice for semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and other industries in which purity, stability, and reliability are of utmost importance. Furthermore, its mechanical properties make PFAF an excellent material choice for sealing applications.
FEP, ETFE, and PFA all boast exceptional levels of transparency that allow UV and visible rays to pass through with very minimal light reflection, outclassing any other fluoropolymer on the market.
FEP offers lower maximum working temperatures than PFA and ETFE; however, its lower melting point may prove beneficial in specific processing techniques. FEP can tolerate temperatures ranging from -200 to +302degC.
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