PFA
PFA (Pertluoroalkoxy Alkane)
Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers are optimal for pharmaceutical and medical processing equipment because they have excellent chemical and thermal resistance. Their molecules have continuous non-reactive surfaces and are compatible with virtually all chemicals and solvents. They are far more resistant to chemical attack than conventional chlorinated and hydrocarbon polymers and have far higher service temperatures. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is the original Fluoropolymer, discovered by DuPont in 1938. From this original development, there have been several other materials developed – trying to improve on the difficult processing characteristics of PTFE. These have been relatively successful, having to trade properties of PTFE in order to obtain other characteristics. The primary materials used in the industries that we serve are::
- PTFE
- PEEK
- PCTFE
- PVDF
- PFA
- PVDF
PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) was developed in order to achieve a true melt-processable fluoropolymer. Its characteristics are such that in service it can be considered as interchangeable with PTFE in terms of its chemical service and temperature and pressure duty. It has the highest permeation performance of the fluoropolymers. It also provides the smoothest and least wettable finish of all of the Fluoropolymers. Unfortunately, the trade-off is cost, with the material being more expensive than PTFE.
