1.What is FEP
FEP, known as polyperfluoroethylene propylene, commonly known as F46, FEP is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP), a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, with the content of hexafluoropropylene of about 18% or so, FEP is the modified material of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). the biggest difference between FEP and PTFE lies in the molding performance, PTFE is more difficult to process and form due to its harder texture. The biggest difference between FEP and PTFE lies in the molding performance, PTFE is harder and more difficult to process and form, so many complex shapes of fittings are made of FEP. the content of hexafluoropropylene in FEP has a certain effect on the performance of the copolymer. The content of hexafluoropropylene in FEP has some influence on the performance of copolymer. The content of hexafluoropropylene in FEP resin produced at present is usually around 14%-25% (mass fraction).
2. Physical properties of FEP
FEP is a soft plastic, and its tensile strength, abrasion resistance and creep resistance are lower than many engineering plastics. In addition, FEP crystalline melting point of 304 ° C, density of 2.15 g / CC (g / cm3), is chemically inert materials, in a wide range of temperatures and frequencies with a low dielectric constant (2.1). FEP materials do not ignite, oxygen index of up to 95%, can prevent the spread of flame. Excellent weather resistance, low coefficient of friction, from low temperature to 392 ℃ can be used. FEP and PTFE characteristics are similar, but more good processing performance, suitable for wire and cable insulation.
3.Comparison of FEP and PTFE
Currently in the wire and cable industry in the application of fluoroplastics are: polytetrafluoroethylene (F-4), polyperfluoroethylene propylene (F-46), tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene copolymer (F-40), etc. FEP resin has both similar characteristics with PTFE, but also has the good processing performance of thermoplastics. Therefore, it makes up for the lack of PTFE processing difficulties, so that it has become a substitute for PTFE materials in the production of wire and cable is widely used in high temperature and high frequency use of electronic equipment transmission lines, electronic computers within the connecting line, aerospace wire and its special-purpose installation line, oil pump cables and submerged oil motor winding line of the insulating layer
Since its inception, FEP has played an important role in many fields and now occupies 15% of the fluoroplastics market. In the next article, we will introduce you the applications of FEP.
Fluoroplastics Series:
Fluoroplastics Series (1) - Yize Mould had successfully design and manufacture PFA tube fittings
Fluoroplastics Series (2) - What are the Applications of PFA?
Fluoroplastics Series (3) - What are the similarities and differences between PFA and PTFE?
Fluoroplastics Series (4) - What are the applications of PTFE?
Fluoroplastics Series (5) - What is PVDF?
Fluoroplastics Series (6)--New Applications of PVDF
Fluoroplastics Series (7) - FEP performance
