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Fluoropolymer resins are workhorse materials, enabling the production of parts, films, cleaners and coatings with exceptional performance characteristics. These materials are used in critical applications across various industries including transportation, electronics, aerospace, semiconductor and textile industries.

Fluoropolymer products excel in challenging and demanding environments. In many cases, no alternative materials can provide the unique properties, safety and level of performance of fluoropolymers.

What are fluoropolymers?

Fluoropolymers are polymers based on fluorine. They are known for their high resistance to solvents, acids and bases. The presence of fluorine gives these polymers distinct properties that make them ideal for a wide variety of applications.

Fluoropolymers are safe and durable and are classified as Polymers of Low Concern by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, indicating their insignificant impact on the environment and human health.  The World Health Organization also classifies organic polymeric materials such as fluoropolymers are not carcinogenic to humans.

Fluoropolymer products come in three main types: fluoroelastomers, homopolymers and copolymers, each with specific categories of resins that offer unique characteristics.

  • Fluoroelastomers are synthetic rubbers with high flexibility and stretchability, commonly used in wire and cable, automotive, food handling, chemical processing and energy production
  • Homopolymers are made from a single monomer. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is the most popular homopolymer, accounting for up to 80% of the world’s fluoropolymer production by weight.  Known for its non-stick properties, low friction, excellent chemical resistance and temperature stability, PTFE is used for electrical insulation, coating pipes and tubing and as the base material for architectural fabrics such as PTFE-coated fiberglass for stadium roofs.
  • Copolymers are created from multiple monomers bonded together to create materials with specific characteristics. PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) is a popular copolymer that combines the properties of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorinated vinyl offering excellent chemical resistance, high-temperature stability and low friction. ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), is a melt-processable fluoropolymer that is lightweight and transparent while offering excellent weather resistance.

Fluoropolymers Address World Needs

Fluoropolymers are used in virtually every industry.  Depending on grade, they offer:

  • Low thermal and electrical conductivity
  • Low wettability
  • Water and oil repellency
  • Sunlight and rain-resistance
  • Lubricity
  • Flame and heat resistance
  • Good light permeability
  • Efficient use of electricity
  • Extreme heat and cold resistance
  • Chemical resistance
  • Friction and high-pressure resistance

The outstanding properties of fluoropolymer products make them critical materials for producing parts and components used in electronics, energy, optics, medical, transportation, aerospace, semiconductor and other industries. They are also used in coatings and in resins used as insulation to protect equipment, electronics, buildings and sensitive components.

  • Electronics: ideal insulator for printed circuit boards, wires and cables and connectors due to their thermal stability, low dielectric constant and surface resistivity.
  • Aerospace: offer excellent sealing performance for aircraft piston rings and seal rings for aircraft engines as well as enhancing the quality and performance of bearings, seals, cables and coatings.
  • Chemical processing: ideal compounds for seals, O-rings, tubing, wiring, gears and bearings.
  • Food handling: FDA-compliant grades are an ideal choice for food and beverage processing applications.

  • Transportation: chemical resistance and good mechanical properties improve the performance of fuel cells and high voltage cables used in electric vehicles and high-speed trains. They are also used to produce premium gaskets, pumps, engine parts for cars, buses and other vehicles.

  • Construction: fluoropolymer coatings are used globally in architectural buildings and greenhouses, providing weather-resistant and transparent roofing and energy-efficient wall coatings. As a durable and transparent film, they can be used to as cover material in natural grass stadiums.

Largest Producer of Fluoropolymer Products

AGC is the world’s largest manufacturer of fluoropolymer resins and compounds, offering four categories with varying characteristics to address different application requirements.

  1. AFLAS® fluoroelastomers, formulated from alternating polymers of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene, are known for their high strength and resistance to heat, chemicals, solvents, ozone and steam. Some grades are FDA-approved (Food and Drug Administration) for contact with food, making them suitable used in food processing applications.
  2. Fluon® PTFE ,the most widely used fluoropolymer, is inert to most chemical agents and has excellent non-stick and mold release properties. It is available in resin and micropowder grades and can be developed for various applications such as tapes, tubes, pipelines, coated wires and compounds in rubber and plastics.
  3. Fluon PFA is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluorinated vinyl ether with properties similar to PTFE but can be processed using thermoplastic techniques. With an oxygen index of 95% or better, these noncombustible resins can be used in various fields.
  4. Fluon ETFE offers good weatherability, optical transparency and non-adhesiveness, making it suitable for use in electronics, aircraft, solar cells and even wallpaper. As ETFE films are lighter than glass, allowing more sunlight transmission, they make it possible to construct unique architectural landmarks in sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

Fluoropolymer Compounds

AGC created the Fluon+™ brand to enhance the performance of thermoplastic parts, components, composite materials by compounding Fluon resins with other fillers. These off-the-shelf Fluon+ compounds add performance characteristics such as chemical resistance, wear resistance, creep resistance, toughness, lubricity, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.  The lineup includes:

  • Fluon+ FPC: These PTFE compounds are composed of fillers such as crush glass, carbon, graphic and metal powders, which enhance wear and creep resistance as well as thermal and electrical conductivity over virgin PTFE.
  • Fluon+ MPC (Melt Processable Compounds): Based on the copolymer resins ETFE, PFA, FEP, PVDF, and ECTFE, these compounds extend fluoropolymer properties for chemical resistance, toughness and lubricity.
  • Fluon+ ADHESIVE: Made with Fluon ETFE or PFA, this fluorinated adhesive resin is used in applications requiring strong adhesion to plastics and metals.
  • Fluon+ Composites: Fluoropolymer resins are combined/laminated with carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CRFP) or carbon fiber-reinforced thermal plastics (CFRTP) to provide greater impact strength and ultra-low water absorption. They are used for auto parts and printed circuit boards needing low transmission loss and high heat resistance.
  • Fluon+ Modifiers: Incorporating functionalized fluoropolymers into existing polymer matrices and composites greatly improves this material’s impact strength and abrasion resistance to engineer plastics with enhanced tolerance against high loads and temperatures. The compound also reduces defects occurring under high-temperature molding to improve yield.
  • Fluon+ mPLASTICS: These fluoropolymer compounds exhibit many of the desirable properties of engineered plastics with added flexibility. They can be used to mold tubing, wire, cable, gears, bearings, and casings. They also can be extruded into sheets.

Sustainable Fluoropolymer Manufacturing

AGC has developed a technology to produce high-performing fluoropolymers without using any surfactants and generating an extremely low quantity of fluorinated byproducts. These fluoropolymers possess the same excellent properties such as heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, and durability without concerns over environmental or health impacts. The technology is currently in development for industrial-scale production by 2030.

Compared to other polymers, fluorotechnology offers unmatched performance, sustaining its characteristics in applications where other materials just don’t hold up. Their composition and manufacturing process makes them safe and compliant to manufacturing regulations regarding potentially toxic materials.

As the largest custom fluoropolymer compounder in the world, our fluoropolymer experts can help solve your toughest challenges with the right resin to customize a fluoropolymer product.  We supply a variety of advanced functional fluoropolymer products, such as fluoropolymer films, fluororubber, fluoropolymers for paints, fluorine gases and solvents. To learn more about our grades and capabilities, visit AGC Fluoropolymer Resins.

AGC Chemicals