Materials guide: How to choose the right fluoropolymer for your industrial application

Fluoropolymers are some of the most high-performance materials in industrial, process, chemical and food technology. They are characterized by a unique combination of extreme chemical resistance, high temperature resistance, low friction and exceptional material purity. Therefore, the choice of material is crucial when the application places demands that ordinary plastics cannot meet.

This guide gives you an overview of the most common fluoropolymer materials and how their properties differ. These materials are used in environments where temperatures are high, chemicals are aggressive or cleanliness requirements are very strict.

The aim is to help you choose the right fluoropolymer based on the requirements of temperature, pressure, chemical exposure, purity and the environmental conditions of your application.

NB: This guide provides overall guidelines for fluoropolymer selection. The right choice of material always depends on your specific application and its requirements. Do not hesitate to contact us at Colly Flowtech for support, we will be happy to help you find the most optimal solution.

What is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)?

PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene - often known by the brand name Teflon - is a high-performance fluoroplastic with unique chemical and physical properties. It is one of the most chemical resistant materials available and is used in many demanding industrial environments where other plastics cannot cope.

What are the properties of PTFE?

PTFE is one of the most high-performance plastic materials on the market and is characterized by:

• Maximum working temperature: ca +250 °C
• Exceptional chemical resistance - withstands almost all chemicals, including strong acids, bases and solvents
• Very low coefficient of friction, one of the lowest of all solid materials
• Withstands extremely high temperatures, both continuous and intermittent
• Non-fusible → processed by sintering, which provides very high purity and stability
• Very good electrical insulating properties
• Non-adhesive surface, which reduces deposits and makes cleaning easier

What are the disadvantages of PTFE?

Despite its very high performance, PTFE has some important limitations:

• Very low mechanical strength and can deform under load
• Poor wear resistance compared to UPE and other engineering plastics
• Non-digestible, resulting in more complex and costly processing
• High cost compared to standard materials
• Limited flexibility, especially in colder environments

What is FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene)?

FEP, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, is a fluoroplastic and a copolymer of PTFE and hexafluoropropene. Through this combination, FEP retains many of the desirable properties of PTFE - notably its high chemical resistance and low friction - while being digestible, which allows it to be extruded and injection molded in a way that PTFE cannot.

What are the characteristics of FEPs?

FEP has several technically advanced properties that make it attractive in demanding environments:

• Temperature range: ca -200 °C to +200 °C
• Very good chemical resistance - equivalent to PTFE in most environments
• Meltable fluoroplastic, which simplifies processing compared to PTFE
• Clear and transparent, excellent for processes where you want to see the flow in hoses or pipes
• Good flexibility, more flexible than both PTFE and PFA in many applications
• Low friction and good non-stick properties
• Good electrical insulation properties

What are the disadvantages of FEPs?

Despite its strong fluoropolymer properties, FEP has some limitations:

• Lower temperature resistance than PFA and PTFE
• Lower mechanical strength and wear resistance than many engineering plastics
• Relatively high cost compared to standard materials
• May deform under load at higher temperatures
• Less resistant to chemicals than PTFE in extremely aggressive environments

What is PFA (perfluoroalkoxy)?

PFA, Perfluoroalkoxy, is an advanced fluoroplastic that combines The extremely high chemical resistance of PTFE with Digestibility and processability of FEP. This means that PFA can be extruded and molded in the traditional way, while retaining almost the same chemical and temperature resistance as PTFE.

What are the characteristics of PFA?

PFAs are characterized by a combination of high performance, chemical stability and heat resistance:

• Continuous working temperature: up to about +250 °C
• Exceptional temperature resistance, even in long-term operation
• Excellent chemical resistance, including strong acids, alkalis, solvents and oxidizing chemicals
• Clear and transparent, good for visual inspection in hoses and pipes
• Meltable fluoroplastic, which provides easier processing compared to PTFE
• High purity, often used in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and process industries
• Low friction and non-stick properties, similar to PTFE

What are the disadvantages of PFA?

Despite its high performance, there are some limitations to keep in mind:

• High cost, often among the most expensive fluoropolymers
• Less mechanically strong than some engineering plastics at room temperature
• Can crawl/deform under prolonged load at high temperature
• Lower wear resistance than UPE and some high density plastics
• Less transparent than MFA in optical or visual applications

What is MFA?

MFA is a high-performance fluoroplastic that is very close to PFA in both chemical and thermal performance, but distinguished by even better clarity and higher corrosion resistance. The material was developed to combine the best properties of PTFE, PFA and FEP: extreme chemical resistance, high temperature resistance and good machinability.

What are the characteristics of MFA?

MFA offers several advanced properties that make it one of the most reliable fluoroplastics for demanding environments:

• Continuous working temperature: up to about +250 °C
• Very low friction, with excellent non-stick properties
• High transparency, better than both PFA and FEP
• Superior corrosion resistance, even in highly aggressive chemical environments
• Excellent purity, suitable for cleanrooms and contamination-sensitive processes
• Meltable fluoroplastic, making it processable by extrusion and injection molding
• Stability at high temperature, even during long-term operation

What are the disadvantages of MFA?

Despite its very high performance, there are some limitations to take into account:

• Very high cost, often higher than both PFA and FEP
• Lower mechanical strength at room temperature compared to engineering plastics
• May deform under prolonged load (creep)
• Less durable than UPE and other high density materials
• Limited supply and longer lead times compared to more established fluoropolymers