Omar Khalid
Plastics are widely used in various industries due to their unique properties and benefits, including chemical and corrosion resistance over a wide range of temperatures. While factors like temperature and concentration can impact the chemical resistance of plastics, certain plastics, such as Teflon™ PTFE, Kynar® PVDF, and Telene® pDCPD, are known for their exceptional acid resistance. In this context, the question arises: which types of plastic can withstand the corrosive nature of hydrofluoric acid?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic names | Teflon™ PTFE, Kynar® PVDF, Telene® pDCPD |
| Chemical composition | Synthetic fluoropolymer, PTFE, PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) |
| Properties | Low coefficient of friction, dielectric, high melting temperature, dense, impact resistant, excellent thermal properties, abrasion-resistant, flame-resistant, UV-resistant |
| Applications | Non-stick coating for pans, bearings, gears, chemical tank liners, piping, tubing, vessel fabrication, molded valves and fittings, tower packing, nozzles, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- Teflon™ PTFE is a dense plastic with acid-resistant properties
- Kynar® PVDF is a high-purity engineering thermoplastic
- Telene® pDCPD is one of the leading acid-resistant plastics
- PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer with excellent thermal properties
- PVDF is a fluoropolymer with high acid resistance and stability
Teflon™ PTFE is a dense plastic with acid-resistant properties
Teflon™ PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a dense plastic with numerous applications due to its acid-resistant and chemically inert properties. PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, a fluorocarbon solid. It is hydrophobic, meaning that neither water nor water-containing substances can wet the surface of PTFE. This is due to the low electric polarizability of fluorine, which results in only small London dispersion forces in fluorocarbons.
PTFE's unique chemical inertness makes it highly acid-resistant. This quality, combined with its high-temperature tolerance, makes it ideal for use in industrial pipes and hose assemblies where chemicals and acids are present. PTFE is also used in food manufacturing and packaging because it is food-grade compliant and resistant to staining. Its low coefficient of friction—one of the lowest of any solid—makes it extremely non-stick, so it is commonly used as a coating for pans and other cookware.
PTFE's high corrosion resistance makes it valuable in laboratory settings, where it is used for lining containers, coating magnetic stirrers, and as tubing for highly corrosive chemicals. Notably, PTFE tubes are used for hydrofluoric acid, which will dissolve glass containers. PTFE is also used in containers for storing fluoroantimonic acid, a superacid. Its high-density and impact-resistant properties further contribute to its durability and versatility.
Beyond its use in laboratories and kitchens, PTFE is frequently employed as an insulator for wiring and cable, especially in computer applications, due to its excellent electrical insulation and high melting point. In mechanical engineering, PTFE is favoured for sliding action parts, such as bearings, slide plates, and gears, because of its low friction. PTFE is also used in construction projects, such as car parks, supermarkets, and bridges, as it enables affordable structural expansion.
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Kynar® PVDF is a high-purity engineering thermoplastic
Kynar® PVDF, otherwise known as polyvinylidene fluoride, is a highly non-reactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer. It is produced by the polymerization of vinylidene difluoride and has the chemical formula (C2H2F2)n. PVDF is a specialty plastic used in applications requiring the highest purity, as well as resistance to solvents, acids, and hydrocarbons.
PVDF is widely used for chemical tank liners and semiconductor equipment components. It is also used as insulation on electrical wires due to its flexibility, low weight, low thermal conductivity, and high chemical corrosion resistance. PVDF is easy to fabricate, bond, and weld, and it is strong, stiff, and durable. It also has excellent UV stability and flame resistance.
PVDF is available in the form of piping products, sheets, tubing, films, plates, and insulators for premium wire. It can be injected, molded, or welded and is commonly used in the chemical, semiconductor, medical, and defense industries, as well as in lithium-ion batteries. PVDF is also used in the aviation and aerospace industries as a cross-linked closed-cell foam and as an exotic 3D printer filament.
PVDF exhibits an increased chemical resistance and compatibility among thermoplastic materials. Its carbon and fluoride elemental stability contributes to this resistance, as well as the polymeric integration of PVDF during its processing. PVDF has a wide "processing window," which is the difference between its melting temperature and degradation temperature. This makes it easy to process and post-process, such as through welding and fabrication.
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$22.99
Telene® pDCPD is one of the leading acid-resistant plastics
Telene® pDCPD is produced using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), which involves formulating dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) to create the pDCPD polymer. This plastic is commonly used in automotive applications, including bumpers, exterior parts, engine covers, and fenders. It has high fatigue and fracture properties, even at low temperatures, making it ideal for these demanding applications.
The Telene® technology offers standard grades based on three catalyst families: Molybdenum (x600 family), Tungsten (x700 family), and Ruthenium (x800 family). These catalyst technologies have been developed over several decades, with Molybdenum and Tungsten-based grades having been in use for more than 25 years. The Ruthenium-based grades are a more recent addition to the Telene® product portfolio.
Telene® pDCPD's versatility extends beyond its excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties. Its low viscosity allows for numerous processing advantages compared to other resins. Telene® has extensive experience with various grades in RIM production and newer grades in other processing technologies such as casting, fast-RTM, pultrusion, and vacuum-assisted infusion.
Telene® pDCPD's unique combination of high surface quality, damage tolerance, corrosion resistance, and radio transparency makes it a top choice for applications requiring a durable and reliable plastic with excellent acid resistance properties. Its ability to maintain strength and performance under challenging conditions contributes to its reputation as one of the leading acid-resistant plastics available.
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PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer with excellent thermal properties
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer with a wide range of applications due to its excellent thermal properties. PTFE exhibits high thermal stability without noticeable degradation below 440°C, and it can be used continuously below 260°C. This makes it ideal for use in industrial pipes and hose assemblies where its non-reactivity and tolerance for high temperatures are crucial. PTFE is also used as an insulator in wiring and cable applications, taking advantage of its high melting point and excellent electrical insulation properties.
The thermal stability of PTFE is further enhanced by the addition of fillers or additives. For instance, carbon-filled PTFE compounds exhibit improved wear resistance and are suitable for non-lubricated applications. Graphite-filled PTFE has an ultra-low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for use in automotive parts such as shock absorbers and water pumps. Bronze-filled PTFE compounds offer high thermal and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for extreme temperature applications.
PTFE's thermal properties also contribute to its versatility in construction projects. It enables affordable structure expansion in buildings like car parks, supermarkets, and bridges without worrying about strain on rigid elements. Its resistance to weather damage and wear and tear ensures its longevity. Additionally, PTFE is chemically inert, making it ideal for sealing components in chemically aggressive applications and food manufacturing and packaging.
PTFE's thermal stability and non-reactivity are due to the unique electronic structure of the fluorine atom and the strong carbon-fluorine covalent bonds. These properties give PTFE its well-known non-stick characteristics, making it popular for cookware coatings. PTFE's versatility, durability, and affordability have led to its widespread use across various industries, including aerospace, medical, and mechanical engineering.
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PVDF is a fluoropolymer with high acid resistance and stability
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a highly non-reactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer with the chemical formula (C2H2F2)n. It is produced by the polymerization of vinylidene difluoride. PVDF is a specialty plastic used in applications requiring high purity, as well as resistance to solvents, acids, and hydrocarbons. PVDF has a low density of 1.78 g/cm3 compared to other fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.
PVDF exhibits excellent thermal stability and resistance to creep at elevated temperatures. It has a wide range of applications, including piping, sheet, and internal coatings in high-temperature, hot acid, and radiation environments. PVDF is commonly used in the chemical, semiconductor, medical, and defense industries. It is also used in lithium-ion batteries and as insulation on electrical wires due to its flexibility, low weight, and low thermal conductivity.
PVDF has high mechanical strength, wear and weather resistance, and resistance to ultraviolet and ionizing radiation. It is soluble in specific solvents, such as dimethylsulfonic acid, dimethylacetamide, and dimethylformamide, but insoluble in ketones and esters. PVDF shows low permeabilities to gases and liquids, which is advantageous in certain applications.
PVDF is also used in the production of tactile sensor arrays, inexpensive strain gauges, and lightweight audio transducers due to its piezoelectric properties. It is valuable in biomedical sciences for preparing medications and analytical techniques due to its resistance to chemical corrosion and low protein binding properties. PVDF's combination of properties and processability has made it the second most used fluoropolymer.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics that are resistant to hydrofluoric acid include Teflon™ PTFE, Kynar® PVDF, and Telene® pDCPD.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic fluoropolymer. It is very non-reactive and has proven to be an exceptionally useful material due to its unique chemical inertness.
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is a fluoropolymer known for its high acid resistance. It is one of the most stable and pure commercial resins and is used in many industries including power, renewable energy, and chemical processing.
Teflon has very good dielectric properties and a high melting temperature. It is dense and impact resistant, and has excellent thermal properties, retaining its useful properties from freezing cryogenic temperatures up to 288° C (550° F).
