The chemicals industry is using Everflon™ fluoropolymers in manufacturing processes and equipment, to prevent leaks of hazardous fluids (gases and liquids) and to protect critical manufacturing equipment from aggressive chemicals. They can also be used in filters and other auxiliary equipment, such as heat exchangers and scrubbers.
These components are essential where corrosive chemicals are used or to reduce the health and environmental risk from emissions of hazardous substances, due to the broad chemical compatibility and durability of Everflon™ fluoropolymers. In addition, Everflon™ fluoropolymer components and coatings are commonly used in high-temperature processes, because of their excellent stability in high temperatures.
Everflon™ Fluoropolymers are widely used across the chemical processing industry, but some chemical industry sub-sectors for which their use is essential are polymer manufacturing, textiles, paper and pulp, and also manufacturing of fluoropolymers themselves, due to the presence of strong acids such as HCl and HF in the process.
Chloralkali manufacturing also relies heavily on Everflon™ fluoropolymers, as the process uses perfluorinated ionomers in diaphragms and ion exchange membranes used for the electrolysis of brine.
Applications of Everflon™ fluoropolymers in chemical processing:
◼ Sealing material for rotating and other equipment, such as gaskets, sealing rings (O-rings), rotary seals, shaft seals, flanges, used in practically all equipment responsible for the transfer of fluids in a chemical plant. This includes pipes/tubes, connectors, pumps (including plunger and diaphragm pumps), valves, dosing pumps and suction lances, (screw and piston) compressors and other machine tools, and mixers. Seals for cryogenic use were also mentioned in the downstream user survey. A broad range of FP has been reported to be used, mainly PTFE, FKM, FFKM and PVDF, while PFA, FEP, PCTFE, ETFE were also mentioned by respondents.
◼ Lining of piping, rection vessels, storage tanks and other fluid-handling components (e.g., flowmeters, sampling tubes) which would come in repeated and prolonged contact with aggressive chemicals. Use of fluoropolymers prevents corrosion and leakage and extends the lifetime of equipment. For example, unlined metal piping carrying acidic fluids can only last a couple of months, while a fluoropolymer lining can extend that lifetime to more than 20 years.
◼ Specific applications mentioned include a positive liquid tight seal preventing lubricant leakage and the ingress of contaminants in both static and dynamic conditions on horizontal and vertical equipment.
◼ In electronic equipment used in chemical processes. The electronic equipment can provide remote sensing (e.g., for pH, chlorine, ozone, fluorine concentrations, temperature) and control / automation functions.
◼ Primary insulation and jacket of electrical wiring and cables used in sensor systems, for general power supply and in applications with very high ambient temperatures, such as steel mills, but also for cryogenic applications, such as LNG storage and transport. The thermal stability and excellent chemical compatibility of fluoropolymers used (PTFE, FP, FEP, ETFE, PFA, PVDF, FKM) ensures longevity of the equipment and reduces the need for maintenance and the risk of failures.
◼ Non-adhesive PTFE based thread seal tapes for sealing of threaded pipes (metal, plastic, composites).
◼ Masterbatches, thermoplastics and elastomer, grease and oil additives, mould release
◼ Ion-exchange membranes (made out of fluorinated ionomers, often reinforced by PTFE fibres) and diaphragm technologies (mainly PTFE) are used in plants carrying out electrolysis.
◼ PVDF membranes are also used for industrial water and wastewater filtration.
