ETFE was initially developed jointly by NASA and DuPont specifically for spacecraft. Nowadays, it has permeated every aspect of our lives. This article will further state how ETFE applied in various fields.
Chemical industry
1. Chemical equipment anti-corrosion coatings and linings
Performance comparison between ETFE coating and traditional coatings
|
Index |
ETFE coating |
Epoxy resin |
PU |
|
Chemical resistance |
Extreme strong |
Middle |
Weak |
|
Working temperature |
-100℃~+150℃ |
-20℃~+80℃ |
-30℃~+100℃ |
|
Lifetime |
Over 20 years |
3-5 years |
2-4 years |
|
Maintenance cost |
Extreme low |
Middle |
High |
2. Injection products
ETFE injection parts advantages
●High strength: The tensile strength of ETFE can reach 40-50 MPa, which is nearly twice that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
● High toughness: The elongation at break is as high as 300%-440%, far exceeding that of traditional ceramics and metals.
● Corrosion resistance: It is almost insoluble in any organic solvent and inert to strong acids and strong bases.
● Lightweight: The density is approximately 1.70-1.77 g/cm³, much lower than that of metals.
In addition, through hot-melt forming technology, ETFE can directly form a strong bond with the metal substrate without the need for additional adhesives, making it an ideal choice for the anti-corrosion inner lining of chemical equipment.
3. Extruded products
In the manufacturing of chemical equipment, pipes and seals are crucial components that should possess excellent corrosion resistance and good processing properties. ETFE extruded products, with their unique characteristics, have become the ideal material for these components.
Comparison between ETFE extruded products and traditional materials
|
Index |
ETFE |
PVC |
Metal material |
|
Density(g/cm³) |
1.70-1.77 |
Around 1.4 |
Around 7.8 (steel) |
|
Tensile(MPa) |
40-50 |
20-30 |
500(steel) |
|
Elongation(%) |
300-440 |
50-100 |
2-5(steel) |
|
Working temperature |
-100℃~+150℃ |
-20℃~+80℃ |
-100℃~+300℃ (stainless steel) |
|
Corrosion resistance |
Extreme strong |
Weak |
Middle ( specific material) |
|
Lifetime |
20-25 years |
3-5 years |
10-15 years ( environment) |

Electric and electronics industry
1. Wire and cable
Comparison between ETFE wires and PVC wires
● Tensile strength: The tensile strength of ETFE wires can reach 45 MPa, significantly higher than that of PVC wires (about 20-30 MPa).
● Heat resistance: The continuous operating temperature of ETFE wires can reach 150℃, much higher than that of PVC wires (usually 70℃).
● Flame retardancy: ETFE wires meet the UL94 V-0 level flame retardant standard. When burning, there is no dripping and the toxicity of the smoke is low.
● Radiation resistance: The radiation resistance of ETFE wires is outstanding. It complies with standards such as IEEE 383 for nuclear power plant applications.
ETFE cables and wires are widely used in various fields such as household appliances, computers, 600V wires, multi-core cables and braided cables.
In the food and ice-making industries, ETFE's ability to withstand low temperatures and resist impact makes it an ideal choice for wires in refrigeration equipment.
In the aerospace field, ETFE's lightweight and high-strength properties make it an ideal insulating material for cables.
According to UL certification data, ETFE cables have a low density but high tensile strength, significantly reducing the weight of aircraft and improving fuel efficiency.

2. Electronic components
ETFE electronic components advantages
● High insulation strength: The breakdown voltage can reach 70 kV/mm.
● Low dielectric constant: approximately 2.5-2.6, suitable for high-frequency signal transmission.
● High temperature resistance: Long-term operating temperature is 150℃.
● Chemical resistance: It is almost insoluble in any organic solvent.
● Self-cleaning property: The surface energy is low, and dust is not easily adhered.
In the field of solar water heaters, ETFE film is widely used as a covering material. Its excellent weather resistance and strong infrared absorption properties enable it to effectively block ultraviolet rays, thereby extending the service life of the solar panels. At the same time, the transmittance of ETFE film is as high as 95%, which can maximize the transmission of solar energy to the panels and improve the conversion efficiency.

Tensile structure membrane
Agricultural Greenhouse film
Conclusion
With the continuous development of science and the promotion of environmental protection concepts, ETFE application fields are extremely broad.
However, the wide application of ETFE also faces some challenges, such as relatively high processing temperature, a relatively low temperature tolerance limit, and the need to improve market recognition.
When choosing the suitable material, we suggest should select based on your specific application scenario and requirements.
As a professional producer and exporter of fluoropolymer products, UFLON devoted to customized solutions for each customer, ensure product consistency and performance, meanwhile empower customers achieve the sustainable development goals
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