PFA plastic hosts several unique properties perfect for a variety of high purity applications. Its excellent chemical resistance against corrosive liquids and smooth low friction surfaces resist deterioration. With a wide temperature range, PFA ensures great stability in extremely hostile environments. Its weldability makes it perfect for fabrication purposes. Engineers and fabricators alike, take advantage of its partial optical clarity during routine inspection for signs of stress within the plastic walls. The polymer chain formation of PFA results in a low dielectric constant which makes PFA a worthy insulator. Undoubtedly, PFA is a powerful and robust plastic within the family of engineered fluoropolymers. Here are just a few unusual applications:
1. Ultra-Thin Coatings
PFA has an extremely low coefficient of friction, high heat resistance, and a dielectric constant that makes it more than suitable for thin-wall wire coatings. PFA can also be formed with a sub-micron thickness range in mind. Combine that with its low friction level and resistance to corrosion, heat, and pressure and you can coat metals with it in extremely thin layers, so machinery can last longer. Its corrosion resistance and low-friction properties also make PFA well-suited as an ultra-thin running surface in various metal assemblies.
2. Encapsulation
The use of PFA as an encapsulation coating for metal components is growing more popular in many industries. As a highly durable and reliable material, PFA plastic is taken advantage of for its ability to act as an outer jacket for encapsulated O-rings. As an encapsulation solution, PFA plastic offers higher mechanical strength and resistance to cracking and stress than other fluoropolymers such as FEP. It’s also a resilient material in applications that require extreme stretching and squeezing. PFA encapsulation of sensors, switches and transducer probes allow these critical devices to be submerged in corrosive media and high purity fluids without risk of damage.
3. Tubing
Chemically resistant PFA plastic tubing can handle all kinds of corrosive and dangerous media. It’s especially good for fluid handling because of its natural translucence characteristic, users can see the media flowing within the tubing. In the medical industry, PFA plastic tubing can carry blood, urine, and any liquids that can coagulate or have a suspension in them, or any media with a powder or corrosive pharmaceutical flowing through it. PFA plastic tubing can also be applied in the aerospace, electronics, and water processing industries. The semiconductor industry uses PFA tubing extensively throughout their wafer processing tools. The PFA tubing carries both high purity DI Water and an assortment of acids for cleaning and etching.
4. Process Tanks
For corrosive coating applications in the plating industry, long life tanks made with PFA plastic are a great application, and even better investment. In many industries, stainless steel and other metals are used as plating tank, but a switch to a highly durable, chemically inert plastic like PFA plastic can significantly increase the lifespan of the process tank. Tanks can be made completely out of PFA, or they can be lined with PFA. Either way, PFA’s excellent corrosion resistance and low permeability will help preserve the integrity of the tank and prevent the buildup of any impurities.
Contact iPolymer today. iPolymer specializes in engineered solutions with fluoropolymer plastics. They have both catalog and custom solutions for your high purity and corrosive applications, which include a variety of materials such as PFA, as well as, FEP, Halar®, HDPE, PEEK, PTFE, PVC, PVDF, and polypropylene.
