What is PTFE (polyteflon)
PTFE is a kind of high molecular compound which is polymerized from tetrafluoroethylene monomer. It has a unique molecular structure in which fluorine atoms tightly surround carbon-carbon bonds, making PTFE extremely chemically stable. PTFE is almost free from any chemical corrosion, can resist strong acids, strong bases, organic solvents and so on. In addition, PTFE also shows excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, electrical insulation and low coefficient of friction.
What is PFA (Soluble polyteflon)
PFA is a variant of PTFE that is obtained by introducing a small amount of perfluoropropyl perfluorovinyl ether for copolymerization. This modification enables PFA to maintain the excellent properties of PTFE while having better processability and fusion bonding. Compared with PTFE, PFA has a lower melting point and better fluidity, so it can be processed by conventional thermoplastic molding methods such as injection molding and extrusion.
PFA inherits the chemical stability, heat resistance, cold resistance and electrical insulation of PTFE, but because of its improved processing properties, PFA is more advantageous in some applications. For example, PFA can be used to manufacture complex piping systems, pump components, and parts that require high precision machining.
The main differences between them are:
Chemical structure and composition:
PFA (soluble polytetrafluoroethylene) is a copolymer of a small amount of perfluoropropyl perfluorovinyl ether and polytetrafluoroethylene. This structure allows PFA to have stronger melt bonding and lower solution viscosity while maintaining similar properties to PTFE.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a polymer compound made of tetrafluoroethylene by polymerization, and has a stable chemical structure.
Physical and chemical properties:
PFA has excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical stability, mechanical properties, insulation, self-lubrication, folding resistance and cracking resistance.
PTFE also has excellent chemical stability, corrosion resistance, sealing, high lubrication non-stickiness, electrical insulation and good aging resistance. Its long-term use temperature range is between 200 and 260 degrees, while maintaining softness at -100 degrees.
Processing method and application:
Due to its special chemical structure, PFA can be processed by ordinary thermoplastic molding methods such as injection molding, extrusion and molding, which makes PFA more flexible in processing compared to PTFE.
Because of its unique properties, PTFE has a wide range of applications in industrial and Marine operations such as chemical, petroleum, textile, food, paper, medicine, electronics and machinery.
