PFA: Perfluoroalkoxy

General Properties

Short Name:

Name:

PFA

Perfluoroalkoxy

Perfluoroalkoxy polymers (PFA in short) are entirely fluorinated plastics with a high-molecular structure. In contrast to PTFE, PFA has side chains of perfluorinated alkoxy groups.

Structural Formula

Properties

Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.Glass Transition Temperature	-
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Temperature	285 to 305°C
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Enthalpy	20 to 30 J/g
Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. Decomposition Temperature	353 to 550°C
Young's Modulus	800 MPa
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CLTE/CTE)The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) describes the length change of a material as a function of the temperature.Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion	120 *10^-6/K
Specific Heat Capacity	-
Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.Thermal Conductivity	-
DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. Density	2.14 to 2.16 g/cm³
Morphology	Semi-crystalline polymer
General properties	Low friction value. High chemical resistance. Extremely low adhesion. Non-inflammability
Processing	Extrusion, injection molding
Applications	Hoses and fittings. Construction of chemical plants (corrosion-resistant lining). Nonstick coating, corrosion protection

NETZSCH Measurement

Instrument	DSC 204 `F1` `Phoenix^®`
Sample Mass	16.07 mg
IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.Isothermal Phase	5 min
Heating/Colling Rates	10 K/min
Crucible	Al, pierced lid
Atmosphere	N₂ (40 ml/min)

Evaluation

Although PFA belongs to semi-crystalline materials, in the present example only the melting transition is evident in the DSC curve with peak temperatures of 289°C (1^st heating, blue) and 290°C (2^nd heating, red). The absence of a Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.glass transition signal indicates that the change in specific heat Δc_p associated with the transition from the hard, brittle into the flexible state, is too small to be detected by DSC.