Fluorinated ethylene propylene mechanical properties

Phadnis, S., Patri, M., Chandrasekhar, L. and Deb, P. C. 2005. Proton-exchange membranes via the grafting of styrene and acrylic acid onto fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer by a preirradiation technique. III. Thermal and mechanical properties of the membranes and their sulfonated derivatives. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 97 1418-1425. 

More recently, modified fluoroplastics such as fluorinated ethylene/propylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride have been offered by DuPont, Allied Chemical, 3M, and Pennwalt respectively, to provide improved processability and mechanical strength at some sacrifice in heat-resistance, electrical properties, and chemical resistance and at prices of 3.70-7.15 these have also been finding appropriate if smaller markets. 

The macromolecule of perfluorinated alkoxy (PFA) or simply perfluoroalkoxy is based on the monomer unit [—(CFj) —CF(0—C F, )—(CFj) —] . Perfluoroalkoxy is similar to other fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene regarding its chemical resistance, dielectric properties, and coefficient of friction. Its mechanical strength. Shore hardness, and wear resistance are similar to PTFE and superior to that of FEP at temperatures above ISO C. PFA has a good heat resistance from -200 C up to 260°C near to that of PTFE but having a better creep resistance. 

One of the disadvantages of PTIE is that it is not melt processable. In 1960 DuPont introduced fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), which was chiefly designed to provide melt processability. In 1972 DuPont introduced another fully fluorinated polymer, perfluoroalkoxy (PEA), which is also melt processable, with better melt flow and molding properties than FEP. Although PEA has somewhat better physical and mechanical properties than FEP above 3000°F (1490°C), it lacks the physical strength of PTFE at elevated temperatures and must be reinforced or designed with thickness to compensate for its softness. The heat deflechon temperature of PFA is the lowest of all fluoropolymers. PFA is used to make tubing products. 

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