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Chemical processing plants rely on the safe, continuous operation of equipment such as pumps, valves and compressors. Components like seals, gaskets, and O-rings are critical for maintaining pressure and preventing leaks. These parts must be made from durable materials that can withstand corrosive chemicals, extreme temperatures and mechanical stress.
Fluoropolymers—especially when compounded with performance-enhancing fillers—are ideal for these applications. AGC offers a variety of off-the-shelf fluoropolymer resins, including AFLAS® fluoroelastomers, Fluon® PTFE, Fluon PFA and Fluon ETFE. Fluon resins can also be custom-compounded with fillers such as glass, graphite, and pigments to meet specific performance requirements. Many of these enhanced materials are available under the Fluon+™ brand as off-the-shelf grades of fluorinated compounds.
What are Fluorinated Compounds?
Fluon+ compounds are formulated by blending fluoropolymer resins with functional fillers such as glass, graphite, pigments and monomers. Their unique properties—such as lubricity, thermal and chemical resistance, and dimensional stability—make them ideal for protecting critical components in demanding operating environments, including chemical processing, wire and cable, and more.
Key Benefits of Using Fluon+ Compounds in Chemical Processing
Fluon+ compounds are used to produce durable, chemically resistant parts and components that help reduce equipment failure, minimize downtime, and lower life cycle costs. Their superior performance in corrosive and high-temperature environments makes them well-suited for demanding industrial applications. These compounds also meet PFAS regulations and have well-established safety profiles.
Properties Enhanced by Fluon+ Compounds
Fluon+ compounds can be used to enhance the following characteristics:
- Strength/toughness: Improved bonding and mechanical resilience in wire insulation and heat-shrink tubing.
- Conductive/anti-static: Used in heater cables, valve linings and pump components.
- Reinforcement: Strengthen pump housings, valve linings and column packings.
- Lubricity: Provide low-friction, abrasion-resistant surfaces and linings.
- Flexibility: Ideal for tubing, pipe, wire insulation and films.
- Adhesion: Improved bonding in cable insulation laminates, film, sheet, tubing and hoses.
- Color and laser marking: Offers consistent surface finish and dispersion, even at high-speed extrusion rates. Supports laser customization for wire insulation, injection molded parts, film and tubing.
- Stability: Chemically, thermally and biologically stable—non-soluble, non-mobile, non-bioavailable and non-bio accumulative.
Fluon+ Compound Grades
Choose between a variety of Fluon+ grades to meet your specific application needs, including:
- Melt Processable Compounds: Filled with glass or minerals for improved chemical resistance, toughness and lubricity.
- Filled PTFE Compounds: Compounded with pigments and fillers like glass, graphite and metal powders for enhanced wear, creep resistance and thermal/electrical performance.
- Adhesive Grades: Fluorinated adhesive resin compounds made with Fluon ETFE or PFA for bonding and dispersive properties.
- Modifiers: Additives that significantly improve high-temperature molding results and impact resistance.
- Composites: Adhesive materials combined or laminated with carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) or carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP) to boost mechanical performance.
- mPLASTICS: Formulated for advanced wear and impact resistance in engineered plastics as well as providing electrical properties.
- IR-MARK and UV-MARK: Laser engraving additives for wire and cable jackets that enhance marking efficiency and reduce heat damage.
Applications for Fluon+ Fluorinated Compounds in Chemical Processing
In chemical processing, critical components cannot afford to fail. Fluon+ compounds improve reliability, extend equipment life, prevent downtime and enhance safety by mitigating equipment failure across a wide range of applications:
Valves, Gaskets and Fittings
- Bell valve seats: Provide a non-reactive surface
- ANSI gaskets: Provide chemical resistance and sealing performance in flange connections
- General gaskets: Maintain integrity under chemical exposure and temperature fluctuations.
Fluid Handling and Containment
- Dip pipes and spargers: Linings help resist corrosive chemicals.
- Sheets, rods and plates: Resist corrosive chemicals and provide structural stability.
- Bearing isolators: Prevent contamination and extend bearing life by resisting chemical ingress.
Heat and Mass Transfer Equipment
- Heat exchangers, shells and tubes: Linings protect against corrosive fluids and high temperatures.
- Distillation column trays: Linings resist chemical attack, ensuring efficient separation processes.
- Column packing: Provide a chemically inert surface, enhancing mass transfer efficiency.
Rings and Seals
- Rider and piston rings: Maintain alignment and minimize friction between piston and cylinder wall in compressors or pumps.
- Packing and oil wiper rings: Seals shaft entry points and prevents oil or fluid leakage while scraping away contaminants.
- Mechanical and rotary shaft seal: Provide a more reliable seal between rotating shafts and stationary housings.
- Stem packing seals: Prevent leakage along valve stems in control and isolation valves.
AGC is the U.S. producer of Fluon+ compounds, with state-of-the-art technology centers in the USA, Europe and Asia. We provide customers in chemical processing and other industries with innovative, solution-driven products. Learn more about our high-performance Fluon+ compounds here.
