Polyvinylfluoride Film - Material Information

6 December 2024
Polyvinylfluoride Film - Material Information

Polyvinylfluoride (PVF) is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer renowned for its combination of chemical resistance, low gas permeability, and outstanding weathering performance. First commercialized by DuPont under the trade name *Tedlar®*, PVF films are widely used as protective coatings and surface layers in demanding environmental conditions due to their excellent transparency, durability, and low flammability.

Material Overview

PVF is synthesized through the free-radical polymerization of vinyl fluoride (C2H3F), resulting in a high-molecular-weight polymer with superior stability against UV radiation and oxidation (Ebnesajjad, 2001). The films typically exhibit a refractive index around 1.45, tensile strength exceeding 50 MPa, and elongation at break up to 200%. Their melting point (~200 °C) and low thermal expansion confer excellent dimensional stability. The degree of crystallinity—often between 30–50%—is influenced by polymerization conditions and determines optical clarity and mechanical strength (Simril & Curry, 1960). PVF’s dielectric constant (~7.5 at 1 MHz) and high breakdown strength make it suitable for electrical insulation applications as well.

Applications and Advantages

PVF films are valued for long-term outdoor performance, maintaining mechanical integrity and color stability after more than a decade of environmental exposure. Their resistance to acids, bases, and solvents enables use in architectural laminates, solar panels, aircraft interiors, and protective coatings for photovoltaic modules (Alaaeddin et al., 2019). Stretch-oriented PVF variants achieve transmittance over 90% in the near-infrared range, offering optical benefits in advanced glazing and flexible electronic displays (Chang et al., 2008). PVF’s unique combination of flame retardancy, abrasion resistance, and UV transparency also supports its adoption in aerospace and renewable energy systems.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies research-grade Polyvinylfluoride (PVF) films in high purity and customizable dimensions suitable for optical, electronic, and environmental testing applications. Explore PVF and related fluoropolymers through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

  • Ebnesajjad, S. (2001). Poly (Vinyl Fluoride). In Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471238961.1615122505021405.A01.PUB2
  • Simril, V. L., & Curry, B. A. (1960). The properties of polyvinyl fluoride film. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 4(10), 94–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.1960.070041009
  • Alaaeddin, M. H., Sapuan, S. M., Zuhri, M. Y. M., Zainudin, E. S., & Al2O3la, F. M. (2019). Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF): Its properties, applications, and manufacturing prospects. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 538, 012010. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/538/1/012010
  • Chang, W.-Y., Fang, T.-H., & Lin, Y.-C. (2008). Thermomechanical and optical characteristics of stretched polyvinylidene fluoride. Journal of Polymer Science Part B, 46(10), 1123–1131. https://doi.org/10.1002/POLB.21429
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