What is PVDF?
Polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, is a commonly used versatile, high-performance fluoropolymer. It is made up of carbon and fluorine atoms. The chemical structure of PVDF [CH2-CF2]n is unique due to the alternating pattern of CH2 and CF2 units. The hydrogen atoms in PVDF create a balance with the fluorine atoms, giving it distinct properties.
It is the size of a fluorine atom that forms a uniform and continuous sheath around carbon-carbon bonds. This uniform fluorine sheath:
- Imparts good chemical resistance and stability to the molecule.
- Provides electrical inertness to the molecule.
The fluorine content in PVDF is theoretically 59% and it has 50-60% crystallinity.
PVDF was first discovered in 1969 and quickly became popular for its use in various applications such as pipes, fittings, and electrical wires. It was the development of PVDF that contributed significantly to advancements in high-performance materials.
What are the properties of PVDF?
PVDFs allow industries to mainly benefit from the following combination of properties:
Chemical Resistance
High chemical resistance ensures durability and functionality in harsh environments.
PVDF is the material of choice in applications where chemical resistance is critical. These include chemical processing equipment, piping systems, and coatings. It shows excellent results when compared to other polymer materials.
High Thermal Stability
Recent developments have made it possible to produce enhanced PVDF with high thermal stability. These solutions can withstand temperatures up to 150°C, and offer:
- high-quality surface finish,
- excellent adhesion to various substrates,
- unequal resistance to thermal degradation.
UV Resistance
PVDF ensures color fastness to your aesthetic parts. They show superior stability to ultraviolet radiation and thus superior color stability. Along with these features they also maintain good mechanical properties.
PVDF has exactly the right property profile and versatility to make it the material of choice for outdoor applications. For both light & dark color parts, OEMs can rely on PVDF’s high UV performance and durability. View PVDF Grades for Outdoor Components »
Excellent Mechanical Properties for Rigorous Applications
Excellent mechanical properties make PVDF suitable for rigorous applications. These include applications in the aerospace, automotive, and oil & gas industries.
Traditional PVDF has a tensile strength of around 50 MPa. Enhanced PVDF grades can have values as high as 70 MPa (+40%). Traditional PVDF can be blended with modified ones. This fine-tunes the mechanical properties according to your application requirements.
Combination of High Strength with Flexibility
PVDF is available with a combination of high tensile strength and flexibility. This makes it suitable for:
- extrusion of pipes and sheets, or
- injection molding of technical parts, where both strength and flexibility are required.
Other Benefits of PVDF
- High abrasion resistance
- Excellent low-temperature performance
- Excellent electrical insulation properties
- Good flexibility over a wide temperature range
Polyvinylidene fluoride is a versatile, high-performance fluoropolymer. PVDF resins are strong, general-purpose materials that resist attack by chemicals and UV. They stand up well to mechanical stress. A drawback is that they can be more expensive than other polymers. However, their superior properties often justify the cost in demanding applications.
Enhanced PVDFs, on the other hand, offer even higher performance. They resist discoloration from UV exposure and have improved mechanical properties. This makes them suitable for a wide range of industrial and high-purity applications.
How is PVDF Commonly Used
PVDF resins exhibit high chemical resistance, excellent mechanical properties, and good thermal stability. Due to these properties, PVDF is utilized in high-performance applications such as:
- Pipes and fittings,
- Chemical processing equipment,
- Electrical wiring insulation,
- Semiconductor processing,
- Medical devices,
- Membranes for water purification,
- Solar panels and batteries,
- Architectural coatings.
The polymer serves as an alternative to traditional materials. This is due to its resistance to solvents, acids, and bases, as well as its impressive balance of toughness and flexibility. Discover more about PVDF applications in detail.
Is PVDF recyclable?
PVDF plastic is a durable and recyclable material. It does not have its own plastic number. Products made with PVDF use recycling number #7. PVDF is 100% recyclable. Recycled PVDF can be blended with virgin material to produce products at lower cost while preserving high quality.
Are PVDF resins toxic?
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a perfect material for piping systems, chemical processing equipment, and high-purity applications. Though the safety of PVDF came under scrutiny as it can release hydrogen fluoride gas upon degradation.
Research & government agencies worldwide continue to study the potential for low levels of degradation products to migrate from PVDF products (material breakdown in harsh environments) into air and water. These analyses have shown that:
The potential human exposure to harmful substances from PVDF products in contact with air and water is low.
They pose no known risk to human health.rgy applications, PVDF delivers performance and reliability that engineers and designers trust.