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ECTFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethlyene) is a fluorocarbon-based polymer (a fluoropolymer), a kind of plastic. It is marketed under the brand name Halar ECTFE by Solvay Solexis. Solvay Solexis is the only producer of Halar.

[edit] Physical and chemical properties

It offers high impact strength, chemical and corrosion resistance over a wide temperature range — typically -76°C to +150°C (-105°F to +300°F). It has high resistivity and low dielectric constant.

[edit] Applications

ECTFE is used to minimize wear in high-friction applications, where dimensional stability is a requirement.

Some typical applications include bearings, cams, valve seats, semiconductor tooling and wire and cable. It is used as a bearing surface for machine tool ways. It is also used in electrical insulators due to its high resistivity and low dielectric constant.

ECTFE is commonly available as sheets, bars, rods and nonwoven rollgoods. It may be bonded using the same type of epoxy resin or ultrasonics as other fluoropolymers.

ECTFE can be melt blown into a nonwoven web. The resultant fine fibers having the same low reactivity as Halar but important characteristics due to the high surface area and porocity. Such applications include filters for highly reactive acids or alkalis even at elevated temperatures, coalescing of oil from water using the high surface energy or battery separators. Another unique application of strips of halar web is to produce a Halar veil that can be used to construct pipes or valves for use in corrosive environments such as chloro-alkalis facilities.

In many ways the chemical properties resemble TEFLON but with lower melting point (and higher price)

[edit] References

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