Material guide
PFA, perfluoroalkoxy alkane
PFA, perfluoroalkoxy alkane. A melt processable relative of PTFE with almost the same extreme chemical resistance, but which can be worked in the melt and therefore gives really clean, dense surfaces. The material you choose when both chemical cleanliness and resistance have to be at the top.
What it is
PFA stands for perfluoroalkoxy alkane and is a fluoropolymer closely related to PTFE. It shares the broad chemical resistance and low friction of PTFE, but with one decisive difference: PFA is melt processable and can be worked in the melt. That gives smooth, pore-free and very clean surfaces, which is the whole point in the applications where the material is used. PFA takes aggressive chemistry and a wide temperature range, and the material is physiologically inert. This is a premium material, more expensive than most plastics, chosen where cleanliness and chemical resistance are critical and cannot be compromised. It is close to FEP in properties, but takes a higher temperature. The group is described in more detail further down.
Properties
Extreme chemical resistance on a par with PTFE, resists practically every aggressive medium
Melt processable and clean surfaced, gives pore-free, smooth surfaces with no pockets for contamination
Wide temperature range and a high continuous service temperature
Very low friction and good release properties
Excellent electrical insulator
Suitable for pharmaceutical and semiconductor cleanliness
Common applications
PFA sits where the cleanliness matters as much as the chemical resistance. Typical applications are lining and coating in vessels, tubes and hoses for the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries, plus parts in equipment that handles ultrapure or aggressive liquids. The material is also used in laboratory and analysis equipment, where the smooth surfaces cut the risk of contamination. When a customer needs PTFE resistance but with melt processed components that are clean surfaced and have no seams, the choice often lands on PFA.
Limitations
PFA is an expensive specialty material, so it is chosen when cleanliness and chemical resistance actually justify the cost, and not otherwise. If PTFE or PVDF is enough for your case, they are the cheaper choice. Like the other fluoropolymers, PFA is soft and has limited mechanical stiffness, so it does not suit load-carrying structural parts. For maximum chemical resistance with no need for melt processing, PTFE often does the same job. On top of that, we carry the material in a limited number of formats, see below.
Our PFA grades go to 260 °C in continuous service, the same level as PTFE.
Grades and variants
PFA is a pure fluoropolymer and belongs among the most chemically resistant plastics in the range.
Base grades
- PFA standard form, the most common delivery form, with full chemical resistance and high cleanliness.
Other forms
- Welding rod and roll, for joining and lining in clean, chemically exposed structures.
PFA is often compared with FEP. Both are melt processable fluoropolymers with similar properties, but PFA takes a higher temperature and costs more. If you are not sure which one suits your application, get in touch and we will go through the requirements.
Machining
PFA is soft and yielding. It can be turned and milled, but the material springs away from the tool, so low feed and sharp edges are the rule. Load-carrying parts are not what PFA is for.
Formats we can supply
We carry PFA as sheet, and also as roll and welding rod. Formats and dimensions are shown in the range. Want a piece cut to size? Enter the dimensions in VisualCutter and you see the price right away. For other formats in PFA, get in touch and we will see what can be sourced.