Fluorotherm Polymers, Inc.

The cost-effective brother of PTFE, FEP was developed as a conventionally melt-processible fluoropolymer in response to the limitations and initial difficulties in processing PTFE. FEP tubing is a copolymer of TFE, the basic fluoro-monomer building block. The addition of a modifier results in a small, but meaningful departure from the properties of PTFE tubing. Mainly, it possesses a working pressure that is 30% higher, transparent walls, a small increase in stiffness, and a use temperature that is 50 degrees F lower. Unlike other fluoropolymer tubing, long continuous lengths of FEP tubing can also be produced by extrusion. The relatively low cost and desired properties of FEP tubing drives its use in many applications that require high electrical breakdown voltage, low dielectric constant, high chemical resistance, high UV transmission, excellent sterilizability and longevity of use.

Combining the best of PTFE and FEP, PFA was developed in the late 1960's in response to a need for a resin with chemical and use temperatures closer to PTFE, yet a resin that would retain the conventional melt processability of FEP. While slightly more expensive, PFA tubing carries a number of improvements over other types of fluoropolymer tubing. The modifier used in PFA resins results in the same maximum use temperature and chemical inertness as PTFE (500 F). PFA tubing also has higher working pressures than FEP and PTFE. And unlike FEP, PFA chemistry lends itself to very low off-gassing, resulting in high purity that's suitable for pharmaceutical, laboratory, and sampling applications; ultra-high purity grades are suitable for semiconductor applications. In very aggressive industrial environments, such as hydrofluoric and nitric acids at 250 F, PFA tubing is preferred and has proven to provide a long service life.

Fluorotherm™ is proud to offer both immersion and shell and tube categories of fluoropolymer heat exchangers. Each category contains many custom designs that can be fitted to virtually any environment. Whether you're in need of a heat exchanger for space heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, chemical plants, petroleum refineries, or the processing of natural gas, Fluorotherm™'s heat exchangers can meet your needs. Our heat exchanger designs reflect the highest level of innovation and ingenuity to ensure uniform heat exchanges and exceptional ease of use, and our team of expert engineers are further equipped with the skills and insight to provide customized heat exchanger solutions to meet your specific needs. Customers will also find that our heat exchangers provide lower cost of use and better operational efficiency as compared to heat exchangers from other manufacturers. We also rely on the highest grades of fluoropolymer tubing. With over 40 years of expertise in the design of fluoropolymer heat exchangers, we'll be proud to serve your application.

Where necessary, Fluorotherm™ works under an NDA in order to protect proprietary technologies for all involved parties. Our core strength in fluoropolymers and other high performance polymers provides a strong platform for both new designs and those that need improvement or enhancement. Most fabricated products are based on tubing, however, our capabilities includes working with other profiles, making us a versatile supplier of fabricated products. Some applications require product specification assistance from Fluorotherm™ and may be co-designed with the customer to satisfy specific requirements. Fluorotherm™ fabricated products include a large family of offerings that are made to prints specified by the customer. These may include the following operations:

Monofilament fiber is used in braiding applications for general industry where weaved products are produced to provide non-stick, high temperature surfaces. Here at Fluorotherm™, we can produce PTFE monofilament fiber to meet your specific needs and they are backed by our high standards of top quality. Monofilament is also commonly used in the automotive and aerospace markets. Woven products made from fiber are used for braided sleeves over pipes, hoses and bundled wire, in order to protect them from chemical attack or abrasive environments. Fabrics, belts and brushes that need the properties of PTFE, find uses in a broad class of industry, including medical. Currently, Fluorotherm™ supplies monofilament fibers in PTFE only, in natural or custom colors. Expansion to other materials such as FEP, PFA, ETFE and PEEK is planned for the near future as they are currently under development to better serve our customers. To speak with a Flurotherm representative about a custom or standard monofilament fiber product order, please contact us today by calling 1-877-777-2629. No matter the size of the request, we are more than happy to provide you with a free and affordable quote!

ETFE is a fluoropolymer that is chemically and structurally similar to polyolefins such as polyethylene, thus providing a higher abrasion, impact, and crush resistance than its fully fluorinated (perfluoropolymer) counterparts -PTFE, FEP, and PFA. ETFE tubing is commonly used in wiring harnesses, in exterior film applications where weathering resistance is desirable, and as a liner in tanks where specific chemical and wear resistance is required. Its high tensile strength at 25 C also leads to a higher working pressure at that temperature. ETFE’s mechanical and chemical properties were (and still are) so strong that it was chosen as a material for the Olympics! The Beijing National Aquatic Centre, built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, is the largest building made of ETFE laminate film.