ETFE
ETFE is a partially fluorinated plastic copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene and is a melt processible with high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range. The crystallinity of ETFE ranges from 40-60%. It exhibits excellent electrical and chemical properties. The mechanical properties of ETFE are superior to those of PTFE and FEP but it is less flexible than PTFE and easily moldable than the latter. It also show good radiation resistance, strong adhesion with metal surface, and is lighter than other fluorinated materials. It is widely used in the chemical, electrical/electronic, construction, architectural, and automotive industries. Available as pellets or as powder for rotational molding.
ETFE is very popular in the cable and wire industry. But it is also frequently used in architecture, such as in roof constructions made of ETFE foil (Allianz Arena in Munich, Beijing National Aquatics Centre), but also in other areas, such as laminating thin-film solar cells.
Working Temperature Range: -185deg. C to 150deg. C
Melting temperature: +210 – 270deg. C
Classification:
- Injection
- Extrusion grades
- Blow molding grades
Applications:
- Wire and Cable insulation- Aerospace, Automotive, Appliances
- Heating Cables
- Medical grade tubing
- Solid Tubing
- Corrosion resistant film
- Pipe fittings
- Valves and pump linings
- Column packings
- Architectural films
Grades (ASTM D 3159): | Series H1 | Series H2 | Series H4 | Series H5 | Series H6 | Series H7 |
Appearance | Translucent granules | Translucent granules | Translucent granules | Translucent granules | Translucent granules | Powder |
MFR (g/10min) | >24.0 | 8.1-24.0 | 4.1-8.0 | 2.1-4.0 | 0.8-2.0 | 20.0 |
Molecular Weight | Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | Low |
Applications | Very Thin wall sheathed wires (0.1-0.3mm), cross-linked cables, Tubing’s, Films | Thin wall wire and cable insulatio, injected molded small parts, films, tubes, pipes | Medium to heavy wall insulations, pipes, plates, Films | Good stress cracking resistance for insulation, thick wall tubes, lining | Excellent stress crack resistance for lining, heat shrinkable tubes | Pump housing, containers, unusual shapes, pipes and fittings |
Fabrication Techniques | Extrusion, Injection | Extrusion, Injection | Extrusion, compression molding | Extrusion, compression molding | Transfer, compression molding | Rotational molding |