Roll in FEP 10000x1500 mm natural

FEP, fluorinated ethylene propylene, is one of the most used members of the fluoropolymer family. The sheet is transparent, physically softer than PTFE and much easier to weld and thermoform. That combination makes FEP a natural first choice when you need a chemically extremely resistant film or sheet that can still be joined into tanks, ducts or laminates.

The chemical resistance is the big selling point. FEP stands up to practically all acids, bases and solvents, including the strongly oxidizing media you often find in semiconductor and chemical processes. The material absorbs almost no moisture at all, which keeps dimensions and properties still over time even in wet places. The surface also has very low adhesion, so deposits and coatings come off easily.

On temperature, FEP works across a wide range. The sheet handles continuous operation up toward 200 degrees and at the same time takes cryogenic temperatures without turning brittle. So the same material can be used in a heated process line and in a cooling circuit for condensed gases. Keep in mind though that FEP softens faster than PTFE at high temperatures; for really high constant operating temperatures, PTFE or PFA are better choices.

Typical uses: lining of tanks and pipes in the chemical industry, windows and sight glasses for reactors where the process has to be visible, dividers and frames in clean rooms, insulating layers in electronics and cable construction. FEP is excellent dielectrically and is used routinely as high frequency insulation because the dielectric losses are low and the properties are stable across a wide frequency span.

Welding is where FEP beats its siblings. The sheets can be fusion welded with hot air and welding rod in the same material, which gives a joint between sheets with no visible seam. You can also thermoform the sheet at fairly moderate temperatures to get bent parts or deep drawn shapes. Machining, milling and punching work well since the material is a little stiffer than PTFE and does not cold flow as willingly.

FEP sheets are supplied in thin gauges, usually from a few tenths of a millimeter up to a few millimeters. Standard format is around 1500x1500 mm and the natural color is a faintly milky transparency. For laminating against metal or another plastic there are special versions where one side of the sheet is primed so that adhesive or powder coating sticks, which is otherwise a well known problem with fluoropolymers.

Keep in mind that FEP is softer than traditional hard PTFE and can therefore cold flow under high point load over a long time. For heavily loaded sealing elements or parts with a structural role you want to look at filled PTFE grades instead. For cleanliness, chemistry and transparency, FEP is hard to beat.

The plain FEP roll measures 10000x1500 mm and comes in natural, with no fabric on the back. With no laminate layer it can be welded in place, which suits anyone cladding larger areas on site. FEP is the easier to machine and better value choice among the fully fluorinated plastics.

Not sure whether FEP, PFA or PTFE suits your chemistry or temperature best? Get in touch and we will go through the choice together.