With their ability to withstand harsh and aggressive environments, fluoroplastics are readily embraced by the oil and chemical industries. Their sterile and non-stick properties are also particularly suited for medical instruments and food and drink equipment. But how did fluoropolymers come about, and why are they still so relevant today?

The history of fluoropolymers

In 1938, scientist Roy J. Plunkett discovered fluoropolymers by accident. On working with fluorocarbon gasses, he opened the valve to one gas cylinder, but found that no gas came out of it. Upon cutting the cylinder open, he then discovered a white waxy substance which didn’t melt or dissolve. This was PTFE (nowadays better known as Teflon®), which has since become the most widely-used fluoropolymer material in the world.

In technical terms, fluoropolymers are fluorocarbon-based plastics with multiple strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Put simply, however, they’re the ‘superheroes’ of the plastic industry, some of the toughest materials around. The most common materials are PTFE, FEP, PFA, ETFE, E-CTFE and PVDF.

How common are fluoropolymers today?

Though we don’t always realise, fluoropolymers are now a critical part of our world. This is due to several unique properties which make them suitable for use in automotive, electrical and medical applications, among others.

Fluoropolymers can be characterised by the following key features:

• Non-stick

• Chemical, electrical and solvent resistant

• Strong and durable

• Withstand very high (+260°C) and very low (-200°C) working temperatures

With these in mind, fluoropolymers are vital in helping to provide a clean, safe and functional world.

Applications of fluoropolymers

Due to their extraordinary properties, fluoropolymers are woven into our world in hundreds of (often unexpected) ways. At work, particularly if you work in manufacturing, fluoropolymers will surround you in abundance. This is because of their unique properties that ensure safe and reliable machinery. In an office environment, almost every electrical device (smartphones, laptops, tablets) will contain fluoropolymer insulated components to allow for long-term, advanced and safe performance.

In the medical industry, the non-toxic and non-stick properties of FEP and PTFE have been recognised as ideal for the manufacture of internal and external life-saving equipment such as catheters, syringes and bio-containment vessels. Expanded PTFE (also known as ePTFE) can even be manipulated to produce a mesh-like structure that, due to its porosity and flexibility, can be implanted into the body in procedures such as vascular grafts and hernia repair.

The high-performing properties of fluoropolymers have also been recognised as superior to other plastics in the food and drink market. PTFE, FEP and PFA bring an abundance of benefits to the food and drink production, from cooking equipment to food coverings, conveyor belt rollers, UV lamp coatings, temperature sensor casing and non-stick surface covers.

Thanks to their high chemical resistance, fluoropolymers are readily embraced by industries which require a material able to withstand aggressive environments. In chemical processing plants, the non-stick and chemical resistance of PTFE, FEP and PFA make them perfect for use in the processing of hazardous chemicals and are often used for tank lining and fluid control.

The processes that take place in the oil industry similarly benefit from the use of fluoroplastics. Their resistance to high temperatures, oil residue and brine similarly consolidate their standing as a superior material for the creation of vital off-shore equipment, such as umbilicals for fluid delivery and encapsulation probes and thermowells to measure and detect level changes.

Here at Adtech, we are specialists in delivering innovative fluoropolymer solutions for your technical applications. Find out more about the range of industries we work with.

Related News Articles