Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)

Properties and Applications

Poly(etheylene-co-tetrafluoroethene), commonly known as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), is a translucent copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene similar to ECTFE, but with a higher continuous service temperature and lower flame resistance due to the absence of the weaker carbon-chlorine bond. Unlike PTFE (Teflon), this fluorinated polymer is fully melt-processable and can be colored, (fiber-)reinforced, and adjusted to different conductivity levels, allowing ETFE to be used in a variety of high-performance products. It also has high toughness, very good electrical properties, and excellent resistance to chemicals, UV, and high temperatures. ETFE is typically tougher and more abrasion resistant than PTFE (Teflon), making it ideally suited for many demanding (load-bearing) applications.

ETFE is often a good choice when low flammability, outstanding long-term weatherability and excellent resistance to heat, UV light, inorganic acids / bases and organic solvents is required or desired. Its continuous use temperature is typically in the range from -100 to +150 °C (or -200 to +200 °C)^1,2 and thus ETFE can be used at both extremely low temperatures and moderately high temperatures. Applications include aerospace wire and cable insulations, flexible printed circuits, automotive fuel tubing, photovoltaic top sheet films, heat-shrinkable tubing, (mold-)release films, valve linings, as well as biomedical and labware equipment and components. It can also be used as a lightweight architectural cushion or single layer envelope³ and as a base resin for film coatings in abusive environments.