Fluon^® ETFE Resins

A: Coatings made with fluoropolymer resins are ultra-weatherable and maintain their excellent appearance on buildings, bridges and other structures, as well as on aircraft, automobiles and solar panels. They can protect steel, aluminum and concrete from degradation by UV light, wind and rain, and corrosion. AGC’s LUMIFLON® FEVE resins are transparent fluoropolymer resins that can be used to make both clear and pigmented coatings that offer substantial life cycle cost savings over conventional coatings.

A: ETFE and PFAs can be compounded to provide adhesive properties that are compatible with many different materials including polyethylenes, metals and polyamide polymers like nylon 12. Though they adhere to the base materials, they resist permeation from harsh fluids and gasses. This makes them attractive for automotive parts and components. For example, there are fluoro-based adhesives that can chemically adhere to dissimilar materials, reduce weight and eliminate tie layers in multilayer hose constructions. They are ideal for constructions that require unsurpassed conductivity levels, chemical and permeation resistance, and protection against static buildup. Some perfluoro resins can even eliminate the need for surface treatment or a separate adhesive layer.

A: Fluorinated cleaning solvents (also called fluorosolvents) are generally used to clean high-value electronics and critical metal components used in the medical device, automotive and aerospace industries. They have a higher unit price than aqueous cleaning, n-propyl bromide and chlorinated solvents, but often have reduced long-term costs and associated risks. Compared with aqueous cleaners, fluorosolvents have lower surface tension, provide superior cleaning power, and are better able to get into tight spaces. Compared with nPB and chlorinated solvents, fluorosolvents have no pungent smell, are nontoxic and nonflammable, are more environmentally friendly and are more compatible with plastics.

A: Yes. Films made from fluoropolymers (called ETFE films) are used around the world in architectural projects and greenhouses because they are safer and lighter than glass. ETFE film requires less structural support, which reduces building time and costs. The material is heat resistant, chemical resistant and fire resistant with excellent thermal insulation properties, high light transmission and long-term weatherability. Its high level of heat retention, combined with its ability to allow in more natural light than glass, can reduce energy costs by up to 30% compared to glass. Despite being lighter than glass, ETFE film will not easily rip or scratch over time, even in the harshest environments. The film has a high tensile elongation (200 – 510%) and tear strength, as well as a thermal melting point of 260 °C and a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 9.4. Click here to see a comparison of ETFE film versus architectural glass.

A: Yes. Films made from fluoropolymers (called ETFE films) are used for architectural fabrics for tensile membrane structures like roofs, awnings, wraps and facades. Some of today’s most exciting building designs include colorful and translucent textile skins. They not only increase the beauty and function of buildings, but provide UV and visible light transmission, insulation properties, durability and weather resistance. Click here to see a comparison of ETFE film versus other architectural fabrics.