INTRODUCTION TO ETFE

ETFE, the scientific name is ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, which is a high-performance fluorine based polymer. It is renowned for its excellent mechanical strength, impact resistance, and wear resistance, and is known as the “high-strength warrior” in the fluoroplastic family. ETFE perfectly balances the chemical inertness of fluoroplastics with the excellent mechanical properties of polyolefins, making it an irreplaceable material in fields that require harsh physical environments. Its most famous application is the air cushion membrane structure of the “Water Cube”, the main venue of the Beijing Olympics.

FEATURES & ADVANTAGES

Feature Description Advantages
Extremely High Mechanical Strength The impact resistance, tear resistance, and wear resistance are the best among all fluoroplastics. Capable of withstanding continuous bending, stretching, and friction, with an extremely long service life.
Excellent Chemical Resistance Resistant to most strong acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and chemicals. Suitable for corrosive environments in fields such as chemical, petrochemical, and automotive industries.
Good Temperature Resistance Continuous operating temperature: -100 ° C to+150 ° C. Meet the high and low temperature requirements of most industrial applications.
Excellent Radiation Resistance The ability to withstand gamma rays, beta rays, and electron beam radiation is extremely strong. It is the preferred material for the nuclear industry, medical sterilization, and aerospace fields.
Extremely High Transparency The visible light transmittance can reach 95%. Can be used for building membrane structures, agricultural greenhouses, and windows that require natural lighting.
Melt Processability Thermoplastic processing methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding can be used. Easy to process, capable of manufacturing complex shapes and cables.
Surface Modification The surface can be bonded or printed through activation treatment. Solved the problem of difficult bonding of fluoroplastics and expanded its application range.

MAterial limitation

  • Relatively low temperature resistance: The maximum continuous use temperature of 150 ° C is lower than that of PTFE/PFA.
  • High cost: The price is higher than PTFE, comparable to or slightly higher than FEP.

AVAILABLE PRODUCTS

Item Description & Specifications Main Applications
ETFE Granular Material Transparent or pure particles of various colors. The raw materials for injection molding complex parts and extrusion molding cables and pipes.
ETFE Cable Insulation Layer Squeeze and wrap around the wire to provide insulation and protection. Automotive industry: High temperature and oil resistant wiring harness inside the engine compartment.
Aerospace: Aircraft wiring.
Industrial applications: robot drag chain cables, servo motor cables.
ETFE Film The high-strength, highly transparent, and weather resistant film is its iconic product. Architectural membrane structure: Inflatable air pillows (water cube) for sports venues and airport terminals.
Agricultural greenhouse: high-performance covering materials.
Photovoltaic industry: front panel cover film for solar cells, replacing glass.
ETFE Pipes/Tubes/Tubing A semi transparent flexible or rigid tube. Chemical delivery tubes, gas pipelines, medical catheter sheaths.
ETFE Injection Molded Parts Can be made into connectors, valve seats, gears, coil frames, etc. Chemical pump valve components, corrosion-resistant mechanical parts, electrical connectors.

Application field

  • Cable industry (largest market): used for manufacturing special wires and cables that are resistant to high temperatures, cutting, and repeated bending, such as automotive wiring harnesses, robot drag chain cables, aerospace cables, and oil and gas exploration cables.
  • Construction industry: As a permanent building membrane structure material, it is used in large sports venues, shopping mall courtyards, and airport terminals to provide natural lighting, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.
  • Photovoltaic industry: Used as a transparent front panel cover film for solar cells, it is lightweight, weather resistant, and has high light transmittance, making it a key material for flexible solar cells.
  • Chemical industry: used for manufacturing pump valve liners, pipelines, filters, etc., which withstand the dual tests of corrosion and wear.
  • Nuclear Industry and Medical: Used for cable insulation in nuclear power plants, sterilization packaging and components of medical equipment, due to their excellent radiation resistance.