Fluoropolymer Coatings Review & Specifications

Industrial Coating Types, Processes and Design Menu

A fluoropolymer is a fluorocarbon based polymer with multiple strong carbon–fluorine bonds. It is characterized by a high resistance to solvents, acids, and bases.

Fluoropolymer coatings are known for their exceptional resistance to solvents, acids, and bases. Fluoropolymers share the properties of fluorocarbons in that they are not as susceptible to the van der Waals force as hydrocarbons. This contributes to their non-stick and friction reducing properties. Also, they are stable due to the stability multiple carbon–fluorine bonds add to a chemical compound.

Fluoropolymers may be mechanically characterized as thermosets or thermoplastics. Fluoropolymers can be homopolymers or copolymers.

Fluoropolymer were discovered in 1938 by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett. He was working and accidentally polymerized tetrafluoroethylene. The result was PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), more commonly known as Teflon. 

Fluoropolymer coatings are applied to protect ferrous and non-ferrous metals from corrosive chemicals in environments up to 460F or more.  Current materials and application techniques allow the application of  Fluoropolymer coatings to small parts, as well as applied to large scale industrial applications. Fluoropolymer coatings exhibit a high degree of  inertness to chemicals, which make these coatings ideal for applications requiring a coatings which will not contaminate handled substances. Many Fluoropolymer coatings are FDA approved, allowing their use in food preparation and handling equipment.

Typical Fluoropolymer Coating Characteristics
Tensile Strength (ASTM D1708)	4000 - 5000 psi
Elongation (ASTM D1457)	50%
Impact Strength (ASTM D256)	13 ft - LB/ in
Hardness (ASTM D2240)	60 - 90 HB (Shore D)
Abrasion Resistance (Tabor)	> 15 mg
Coefficient of Friction (ASTM D1894)	.15 -.35 static
Dielectric Strength (ASTM D149)	1400 volts per mil
Use Temperature	- 100°F to 500°F max
Melting Point	n/a
Thermal Conductivity	n/a
Chemical Resistance (ASTM D543)	good
Salt Spray Resistance (ASTM B117)	excellent
Water Absorption (ASTM D570)	< .03%
Thickness	.0008" - .002"