Perfluoroalkoxy alkane

Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA) are fluoropolymers. They are copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4) and perfluoroethers (C2F3ORf, where Rf is a perfluorinated group such as trifluoromethyl (CF3)). In terms of their properties, these polymers are similar to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Compared to PTFE, PFA have better anti-stick properties, higher chemical resistance on expense of a lesser scratch resistance. Other than in PFTE, the alkoxy substituents allow the polymer to be melt-processed. On a molecular level, PFA have a smaller chain length and higher chain entanglement than other fluoropolymers. They also contain an oxygen atom at the branches. This results in materials that are more translucent and have improved flow, creep resistance, and thermal stability close to or exceeding PTFE. Thus, PFA are preferred when extended service is required in hostile environments involving chemical, thermal, and mechanical stress. PFA offer high melt strength, stability at high processing temperatures, excellent crack and stress resistance, a low coefficient of friction. Similarly advantaged processing properties are found in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene. However FEP is ten times less capable to withstand repeated bending without fracture than PFA. Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA) are fluoropolymers. They are copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4) and perfluoroethers (C2F3ORf, where Rf is a perfluorinated group such as trifluoromethyl (CF3)). In terms of their properties, these polymers are similar to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Compared to PTFE, PFA have better anti-stick properties, higher chemical resistance on expense of a lesser scratch resistance. Other than in PFTE, the alkoxy substituents allow the polymer to be melt-processed. On a molecular level, PFA have a smaller chain length and higher chain entanglement than other fluoropolymers. They also contain an oxygen atom at the branches. This results in materials that are more translucent and have improved flow, creep resistance, and thermal stability close to or exceeding PTFE. Thus, PFA are preferred when extended service is required in hostile environments involving chemical, thermal, and mechanical stress. PFA offer high melt strength, stability at high processing temperatures, excellent crack and stress resistance, a low coefficient of friction. Similarly advantaged processing properties are found in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene. However FEP is ten times less capable to withstand repeated bending without fracture than PFA. Common trademarks include Teflon®-PFA, Hostaflon®-PFA, and Chemfluor®. PFA are commonly used as materials for piping and fittings for aggressive chemicals, as well as corrosion-resistant lining of vessels in the chemical-processing industry.Typical applications are in the construction of gas scrubbers, reactors, containment vessels, and piping.In coal-fired power plants, they are used as lining for heat exchangers. By channeling crude gas through the PFA-lined apparatus the gas stream can be cooled beyond its condensation temperature without damaging the heat exchanger. Its use contributes to increasing the efficiency of the whole plant. PFA are also used as inert materials for sampling equipments in analytical chemistry and for geochemical or environmental in situ studies on field site when it is particularly important to avoid chemical contaminations of metallic ions at trace level. At high temperatures or in a fire, fluoroelastomers decompose and may release hydrogen fluoride. Any residue must be handled using protective equipment.