Polyethylene tetrafluoroethylene ETFE resins

Extrusion-Applied Insulations. The polymers used in extrusion applications can be divided into two classes low-temperature applications and high-temperature applications. Polymers in the first category are poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polypropylene, and their copolymers along with other elastomers. Polymers in the second category are mainly halocarbons such as Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene (which requires special extrusion or application conditions), fluoroethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), perf luoroalkoxy-modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PFA), poly(ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF2) (borderline temperature of 135 °C), and poly(ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene). Extrusion conditions for wire and cable insulations have to be tailored to resin composition, conductor size, and need for cross-linking of the insulating layer. 

ETFE polymers are melt processible. Commercial ETFE is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. They have lower chemical resistance and thermal stability than perfiuorinated polymers. ETFE exhibits excellent resistance to radiation and can stand up to 200 megarads of exposure to cobalt 60. It is a tough thermoplastic available in different viscosities, which can be processed by techniques applicable to polyethylene. ETFE resins are specified by ASTM Method D3159, which also provides procedures or references to other ASTM methods for the measurement of resin properties. Commercial FEP resins offered by major manufacturers have been listed in Tables 6.15 through 6.18. 

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Ethylene-tetratluoro-ethylene (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene/ hexafluoropropylene (THV), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) Epoxy resin (EP), polyester resin (UP), phenol resin (PF), resorcin resin (RF), polyurethane (PUR) Styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR), polybutadiene-rubber (BR), ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM)... 

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