Typical Properties of Fluoropolymers

Property	Method No.	Units	PTFE	FEP	PFA	ETFE	ECTFE	PCTFE	PVDF
Specific Gravity	D792	–	2.17	2.15	2.15	1.74	1.7	1.7	1.78
Melting Point	D2236	deg F deg C	621 327	518 270	581 305	527 275	464 240	410 210	352 177
Tensile Strength	D638 D1708 D1457	psi MPa	2500 17	3400 23	4,000 27	6,960 48	6,960 48	6,060 41.78	7,830 54
Yield Strength	D638	psi	1,450	1,740	2,250	3,480	4,500	5,800	6,670
Elongation		%	200-500	250-350	300	200-500	200-300	80-250	20-150
Tensile Modulus	D638	ksi	87	72.5	101.5	217.5	240	218	348
Flex Modulus	D790	psi x 1000 MPa	98 675	101.5 700	95 655	203 1400	261 1800	–	333.5 2300
Izod Impact	D256	ft-lbs/in J/m	3.2 173	No Break	No Break	No Break	–	–	2-4
Hardness	D2240	Shore D	60	57	62	75	75	90	79
HDT, @ 66 psi	D648	deg F	250	158	164	219	240	248	300
HDT, @ 264 psi	D648	deg F	122	129	118	160	169	–	239
Max. Cont Use Temp		deg F deg C	500 260	400 204	500 260	300 149
*Flame Rating	UL 94		VO	VO	VO	VO
Limiting Oxygen Index	D2863	%	>95	>95	>95	30-36
Thermal Conductivity		Btu·in/h·ft2·°F W/m·K	1.7 0.25	1.4 0.20	1.3 0.19	1.65 0.24
Dielectric Constant	D150	1 MHZ	2.1	2.1	2.1	2.6
**Dielectric Strength	D149	Volts/µm	18	53	80	79
Resistivity – Volume	D257	ohm-cm	>1018	>1018	>1018	>1017

PTFE Properties:

The Steel Industry and Chemical Processing Industry have been using fluoropolymer tubing products from materials like PTFE and hoses for many years for transferring highly caustic or corrosive chemicals. More and more, PTFE tubing is replacing carbon and other metal piping that deteriorates rapidly. Now and for the future, PTFE will continue to serve the industry in critical applications.

PTFE Thermal Qualities:
PTFE tubing can withstand temperatures up to 680 °F for limited periods of time.* Under cryogenic conditions, PTFE remains strong down to -320 °F.

*Above 500 °F, mechanical properties become a limiting factor

PTFE Electrical Qualities:
PTFE tubing has superb electrical properties, indicated by a low dielectric constant of 2.1 between -40 °F and 480 °F within a frequency range of 5 Hz to 10 GHz.

PTFE tubing is also an excellent insulator with surface resistivity of 3.6 X 1012 ohms (even at 100% relative humidity).

Short time dielectric strengths range from 500 volts/mil (1 mil = 10-3 in) for thicknesses greater than 100 mils to 4000 volts/mil for very thin films.

FEP Properties:

Electrical FEP exhibits most of the properties of PTFE. However, because of its excellent electrical FEP properties, FEP tubing is a valuable and versatile electrical insulator.

Chemical FEP tubing is inert to most chemicals and solvents, similar to PTFE

Weathering FEP tubing products are virtually unaffected by weather elements. Its resistance to extreme heat, cold, and UV radiation further suits FEP properties for electronic applications.

ETFE Properties

ETFE is distinguished from perfluopolymers (totally fluorinated polymers) as a partially fluorinated copolymer of ethylene and TFE. This chemical modification provides significantly higher strength relative to PTFE, FEP or PFA. It is less flexible than PTFE, but has superior impact strength, abrasion and cut through resistance. Addition of a third component to the chemical structure creates a modified ETFE that has lower weight per unit volume, is stiffer and tougher than PTFE, PFA or FEP. These properties allow it to withstand greater physical abuse during its lifetime. For example, glass reinforced ETFE has outstanding wear characteristics and may be used for bearing applications. ETFE is also suitable for pump impellers or moving parts of equipment that are operating in chemically aggressive environments (check to ensure chemical compatibility).

PVDF Properties

PVDF (KYNAR®) is generally used in applications requiring the high purity, strength, and resistance to solvents, acids, bases and heat. Compared to other fluoropolymers, like PTFE, PFA, FEP, it has an easier melt process because of its relatively low melting point of around 177°C.

PCTFE Properties

PCTFE or CTFE (originally known as Kel-F*) has many of the properties similar to other fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP or PFA, but is mechanically superior in rigidity (does not deform easily), and has very low gas permeability . Its dimensional stability makes it attractive for use as a component of a structural part where the high temperature and chemical resistance of fluoropolymers is required. PCTFE shows high compressive strength and low deformation under load. However, its relative cost is one of the major considerations in its selection, since it is quite expensive.