Metalized fluoroplastics applications

A number of companies offer metallized fluoroplastic films. For example, Sheldahl Corp. provides a family of metallized FEP films as shown in Table 14.13. WL Gore markets a metallized film, based on its Gore-Tex film, which is selectively image-metallized and has a continuous metal phase in the direction of the z-axis (thickness). Crane Polyflonmarkets electroplated PTFE shaped articles for applications such as micro-wave communications and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[129]... 

This property is an important consideration in the design of parts from fluoroplastics because they deform substantially over time when subjected to load. Metals similarly deform at elevated temperatures. Creep (also called cold flow) is defined as the total deformation under stress after a period of time, beyond the instantaneous deformation upon the application of load. Significant variables that affect creep are chemical structure of resin, load, time under load, and temperature. Creep is measured under various conditions tensile, compressive, and torsional. 

Fluoroplastics have been used as wire coatings in military and aerospace applications since their discovery. They have also found their way into wire and cable applications that required extreme performance based on thermal extremes (cryogenic and high temperature applications), chemical resistance, etc., but the major market expansion in fluoroplastic use in the wire and cable industry occurred in North America when the National Electric Code (NEC) allowed polymers with low smoke-generation and flame-spread to be installed in building plenums without metal conduits. 

Fluoroplastic films such as FEP can be metallized by vacuum deposition. Metal adhesion is enhanced if the surface has been treated for adhesion by sodium etching or other procedures. Untreated general purpose FEP film may be vacuum-metallized for some applications depending upon the specific metal and deposition process. Copper, aluminum, silver, gold, and some metallic oxides have been applied to FEP film by vacuum metallization.f ]... 

Encapsulation of metal parts can be easily achieved with fluoroplastics. These parts are used in applications where extreme mechanical integrity and rigidity combined with chemical resistance are required such as butterfly valves. 

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