What are the application fields of PTFE FPA FEP ETFE?

PTFE, PFA, FEP, and ETFE belong to the family of fluoropolymers, each with its unique performance advantages and most suitable application areas. The following is a clear summary and comparison of each material application field.

1、 PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) – “Plastic King”

Core features: Best chemical resistance, widest temperature range (-200 ° C to+260 ° C), lowest friction coefficient, non stick, excellent electrical insulation. Non melting processing, usually formed by sintering.

Main application areas:

Sealing and bearings:
Application: Valve seat, gasket, packing ring, bearing (especially suitable for chemical corrosion resistance and oil-free lubrication).
Reason: Low friction, self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant.
Chemical anti-corrosion:
Application: Chemical equipment lining, pipeline, tank lining, laboratory vessels (beakers, crucibles).
Reason: Unparalleled chemical corrosion resistance, able to resist almost all strong acids, alkalis, and solvents.
Electrical insulation:
Application: Insulation layer for high-frequency communication cables, computer lines, coaxial cables, and socket insulation components.
Reason: The dielectric constant is stable, and the dielectric loss is extremely low at high frequencies.
Non stick and anti stick:
Applications: Non stick coating for pots, mold release pads, anti stick layer for heat sealing machines, and drying racks for the food industry.
Reason: Excellent non stick and easy to clean.

2、 PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy Resin) – “Melt processable PTFE”

Core feature: The melt processable fluoroplastic with performance closest to PTFE, maintaining excellent chemical resistance, non adhesiveness, and high purity. High transparency and good stress cracking resistance.

Main application areas:

Semiconductor industry (key applications):
Application: Pipeline, valve, container, joint, flower basket for transporting ultrapure water and high-purity chemicals.
Reason: extremely high purity, no metal ion precipitation, and resistance to all cleaning chemicals (such as hydrofluoric acid).
High demand fluid handling:
Applications: Biopharmaceutical pipelines, sampling bottles for harsh chemicals, analytical instrument flow paths.
Reason: High purity, corrosion resistance, and sterilization (SIP/CIP).
High end wires and cables:
Application: Insulation of wires with extremely high requirements in aerospace, medical equipment, and other industries.
Reason: Excellent electrical performance and the ability to extrude thin-walled insulation layers.
Transparent windows and vessels:
Application: Corrosion resistant sight glass, transparent reactor liner.
Reason: High transparency, high chemical resistance.

3、 FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene Polymer) – “Transparent Molten Processor”

Core features: excellent transparency, melt processability, chemical resistance second only to PTFE/PFA, non stick. The mechanical strength is slightly lower than PFA.

Main application areas:

Wire and cable:
Application: Insulation layer for data center cables, LAN cables, and fire-resistant cables.
Reason: Excellent insulation, flame retardancy (VW-1), and high-speed extrusion capability.
Solar photovoltaic:
Application: Solar backsheet film, module protective film.
Reason: extremely high weather resistance, UV resistance, flame retardancy, and long-term reliability.
Anti stick packaging and film coating:
Application: Anti sticking fabric for heat sealing machines, lining for industrial packaging, and textile film coating.
Reason: Excellent non stick and heat sealing properties.
Laboratory vessels (low-cost alternative):
Application: Beakers, bottles, test tubes (in situations where chemical resistance requirements are slightly lower than PFA).
Reason: The cost is lower than PFA, the transparency is high, and it is easy to process into various shapes.

4、 ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) – “High Strength Warrior”

Core features: high mechanical strength, wear resistance, excellent impact and shear resistance. Good chemical resistance, high transparency, and radiation resistance are the best among fluoroplastics.

Main application areas:

Architectural membrane structure:
Application: Inflatable membrane structure for large sports venues such as “Water Cube” and airport terminals.
Reason: High strength, high transparency, self-cleaning, excellent weather resistance (with a service life of over 25 years).
Wire and cable:
Application: Insulation layer for aerospace cables, nuclear power plant cables, and oil well logging cables.
Reason: High mechanical strength, cutting resistance, wear resistance, flame retardancy, and radiation resistance.
Chemical anti-corrosion:
Application: Chemical equipment lining, pump valve components, screen mesh.
Reason: The combination of excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength makes it more wear-resistant than PTFE.
New Energy and Healthcare:
Application: Lithium battery electrode binder, photovoltaic module film, medical packaging.
Reason: High purity, chemical resistance, radiation sterilization.