Cathay™ FEP Film
Fluorocarbon films
C&F
Description
Cathay™ FEP film is a transparent, thermo-
plastic film that can be heat sealed, thermo-
formed, vacuum formed, heat bonded,
welded, metalized, laminated—combined
with dozens of other materials, and can also be used as an excellent hot-melt ad-
hesive.
The convenience of Cathay™ FEP fluoropolymer in easy-to-use film facilitates
the design and fabrication of this low-friction thermoplastic for all sorts of
high-performance jobs. It is transparent and can be heat sealed, thermoformed,
welded, and heat bonded.
Superior anti-stick properties make it an ideal release film for many applications.
A cementable type with an invisible surface treatment is available for bonding to
one or both sides with adhesives. This versatility is augmented by the superior
properties of a true melt-processible fluorocarbon and by the wide choice of prod-
uct dimensions available from Cathay™.
This wide variety of fabrication possibilities combines with the following important
properties to offer a unique balance of capabilities not available in any other plas-
tic film.
Cathay™ FEP Film’s Properties
Chemical Compatibility
• Cathay™ FEP film is chemically inert and resistant to virtually all chemicals,
except molten alkali metals, gaseous fluorine, and certain complex haloge-
nated compounds such as chlorine trifluoride at elevated temperatures and
pressures.
• Low permeability to liquids, gases, moisture, and organic vapors.
Electrical Reliability
• Superior reliability and retention of properties over large areas of film
• High dielectric strength, over 6500 V/mil for 1 mil film (260 kV/mm for
0.025 mm film)
• No electrical tracking, non-wetting, and non-charring
• Very low power factor and dielectric constant, only slight change over
wide ranges of temperature and frequency
Wide Thermal Range
• Continuous service temperature –240 to 205°C (–400 to 400°F)
• Melting range 250 to 280°C (500 to 540°F)
• Heat sealable
Mechanical Toughness
• Superior anti-stick and low frictional properties
• High resistance to impact and tearing
• Useful physical properties at cryogenic temperatures
Long Time Weatherability
• Inert to outdoor exposure; no measurable change after 20 years
• High transmittance of ultraviolet and all but far infrared radiation
Reliability
• Cathay™ FEP film contains no plasticizers or other foreign materials
• Conventional equipment and techniques can be used for processing: basic
composition and properties will not be influenced
• Rigid quality control by Cathay™ ensures uniform gauge, void-free film
Cathay™ FEP Film’s Application
Cathay™ FEP film affords the engineer/designer a wide
range of opportunities to take advantage of these proper-
ties with minimal and convenient fabrication techniques.
The ability of Cathay™ FEP film to be easily cut, thermo-
formed, heat sealed, and welded permits ready application
as diaphragms, gaskets, protective linings, or thermo-
formed pouches or containers, wherever high temperature
and/or chemical resistance is required.
The excellent optical properties and resistance to weather-
ing and ultraviolet degradation have led to the use of
Cathay™ FEP film in such varied applications as environ-
mental growth chambers, solar energy collectors, and
radome windows.
Its superior dielectric properties have been used in flexible,
flat cable insulation, printed circuits, and electronic compo-
nents for computers and aircraft.
The nonstick properties of Cathay™ FEP film have found use
in conveyor belts, process roll covers, and as mold release
films.
Types and Gauges of Cathay™ FEP Fluorocarbon Film
Gauge 12 25 45 50 75 125 200 250 500
Thickness, mil 0.5 1 1.75 2 3 5 7.5 10 20
Thickness, µm 12.5 25 45 50 75 125 200 250 500
Approx. area factor, ft2/lb 180 90 51 45 30 18 12 9 4.5
Approx. area factor, m2/kg 36 18 10.3 9 64 2.5 2 1.2 0.6
for increased toughness and resistance to tear propagation.
Property Values of Cathay™ FEP Fluorocarbon Film
Typical Value
Property Test Method SI Units English Units
Mechanical
Tensile Strength at Break ASTM D-882 21 N/mm2 3000 psi
Elongation at Break ASTM D-882 300%
Yield Point ASTM D-882 12 MPa 1700 psi
Elastic Modulus ASTM D-882 480 MPa 70,000 psi
Impact Strength Pneumatic impact tester 7.7 X 103J/m 144 ft-lb/in
Folding Endurance (MIT) ASTM D-2176 10,000 cycles
Tear Strength–Initial (Graves) ASTM D-1004 2.65 N 270 g force
Tear Strength–Propagating (Elmendorf) ASTM D-1922 1.23 N 125 g
Bursting Strength (Mullen) ASTM D-774 76 kPa 11 psi
Thermal
Melt Point ASTM D-3418 (DTA) 260°C 500°F
Zero Strength Temperature b 255°C 490°F
Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity Cenco-Fitch 0.195 W/m×K 1.35 Btu×in/h×ft2×°F
Specific Heat — 1172 J/kg×K 0.28 Btu/lb×°F
Heat Deflection Temperature ASTM D-648 Tensile Bars
at 0.46 N/mm2 (66 psi) 70°C 158°F
at 1.82 N/mm2 (264 psi) 51°C 124°F
MD = 0.72% expansion
Dimensional Stability 30 min at 150°C (302°F)
TD = 2.2% shrinkage
Flammability Classification ANSI/UL 94 VTM-0
Oxygen Index ASTM D-2863 95%
Miscellaneous
Density ASTM D-1505 2.15
Coefficient of Friction, Kinetic (Film-to-Steel) ASTM D-1894 0.1–0.3
Refractive Index ASTM D-542 1.341–1.347
Solar Transmission ASTM E-424 96%
Typical Value
Property Test Method SI Units English Units
Electrical
Dielectric Strength, short-time in air at 23°C (73°F), ASTM D-149 Method A
6.35 mm (1/4 in) diameter electrode, 0.79 mm
(1/32 in)radius
60 Hz, 500 V/s rate of rise:
0.025 mm (1 mil) film 260 kV/mm 6500 V/mil
5 mm (20 mil) film
70 kV/mm 1800 V/mil
Dielectric Constant, ASTM D-150
25°C (77°F), 100 Hz to 1 MHz 2.0
–40 to 225°C (–40 to 437°F), 1000 Hz 2.02–1.93
Dissipation Factor, ASTM D-150
25°C (77°F), 100 Hz to 1 MHz 0.0002–0.0007
–40 to 225°C (–40 to 437°F), 1000 Hz 0.0002
–40 to 240°C (–40 to 464°F), 1 MHz 0.0005
Volume Resistivity, –40 to 240°C (–40 to 464°F) ASTM D-257 >1 X 1018 ohm.cm
Surface Resistivity, –40 to 240°C (–40 to 464°C) ASTM D-257 >1 X 1016 ohm/sq
Surface Arc Resistance ASTM D-495 >165 sec
Insulation Resistance
at 100°C (212°F) 350,000 Mohm×µF
at 150°C (302°F) 250,000 Mohm×µF
at 200°C (392°F) 65,000 Mohm×µF
Chemical
Moisture Absorption < 0.01%
Weatherability No adverse effects after 20 yr
Permeability, Gas: ASTM D-1434 cm3/m2×24 h×atme
Carbon Dioxide 25.9 X 103
Hydrogen 34.1 X 103
Nitrogen 5.0 X 103
Oxygen 11.6 X 103
Permeability, Vapors: ASTM E-96 g/m2×d g/100 in2×24 h
Acetic Acid 6.3 0.41
Acetone 14.7 0.95
Benzene 9.9 0.64
Carbon Tetrachloride 4.8 0.31
Ethyl Alcohol 10.7 0.69
Hexane 8.7 0.56
Water 7.0 0.40
All Tech and Data are supplied on the basis of Techyours New Materials Co.,Ltd
www.everflon.com
Everflon Fluoropolymer Co.,Ltd
Fuqiao Industrial Park, Futian Road,Caidian,Wuhan,China
Tel: +86-185-7168-9228
info@everflon.com
