The name "perfluoroelastomer" is somewhat misleading. An actual perfluorinated material with a high molecular weight is polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. The molecular carbon chain is shielded by the chemical inertness of the large bonded fluorine atoms. Perfluoroelastomer is produced by the copolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and a perfluorinated ether, e.g. perfluoromethylvinylether (PMVE).
The differing resistance to volume swell of the different perfluoroelastomers is due to the perfluorinated ether element, where the side-chain can consist of up to four perfluorinated carbon atoms. The extraordinary chemical resistance is partly due to the fluorine atoms shielding the carbon chain, and partially due to the vulcanization system.
Heat resistance
• 232°C to 300°C (450°F to 590°F) depending on compound
Cold flexibility
• -18°C to -26°C (0°F to -15°F)
Chemical resistance
• Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Polarsolvents (acetone,methylethylketone, ethylacetate, diethylether and dioxane)
• Inorganic and organic acids
• Water and steam
• High vacuum with minimal loss in weight
Not compatible with
• Fluorinated refrigerants (R11, 12, 13, 113, 114, etc.) |