Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer (ETFE) - Film - Material Information

Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer (ETFE) is a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its exceptional toughness, impact resistance, and chemical inertness. Combining the flexibility of polyethylene with the chemical resistance of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ETFE serves as an ideal choice for applications demanding mechanical resilience and long-term stability under extreme conditions.

Material Overview

ETFE is an alternating copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, typically comprising near 1:1 molar ratios. This semi-crystalline polymer exhibits a density of approximately 1.7 g/cm³, a melting point of 270 °C, and a continuous service temperature range up to 150 °C. Its dielectric constant (? 2.6) and dissipation factor (< 0.0005) make it highly suited for electrical insulation. According to Gangal (2010), ETFE polymers offer a combination of tensile strength, high impact resistance, and outstanding abrasion and cut-through durability. Modified ETFE variants incorporating hexafluoropropylene or trifluorostyrene have demonstrated improved crack resistance and flexibility (Zhang et al., 2008). Thermal analyses by Qian et al. (2018) reveal that ETFE exhibits superior oxidation stability, with initial decomposition temperatures near 322 °C and maximum decomposition rates exceeding 480 °C in PVDF/ETFE blends. Rheological evaluations confirm its shear-thinning behavior, making ETFE readily processable via extrusion, injection, or rotational molding.

Applications and Advantages

ETFE films are widely used in aerospace, chemical processing, and architectural applications due to their outstanding durability and transparency to UV radiation. In the electrical industry, ETFE serves as insulation for high-voltage wiring, connectors, and sensors, where it maintains high dielectric strength even at cryogenic temperatures. Its chemical inertness and low permeability make it ideal for tank linings, pump vanes, and flexible piping in corrosive media. Architectural ETFE membranes—used in structures such as stadium roofs and greenhouses—demonstrate long-term optical clarity and self-cleaning behavior, reducing maintenance requirements while allowing excellent light transmission.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies ETFE in high-purity film and polymer forms for research and engineering applications. The material can be tailored for specific dielectric, mechanical, or chemical performance requirements. Explore ETFE and other advanced fluoropolymers through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Gangal, S. V. (2010). Perfluorinated Polymers, Tetrafluoroethylene–Ethylene Copolymers. In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471440264.PST419.PUB2
• Qian, J., Fu, C., Wu, X., Ran, X., & Nie, W. (2018). Promotion of poly(vinylidene fluoride) on thermal stability and rheological property of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. E-Polymers, 18(1), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1515/EPOLY-2018-0057
• Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., Gao, Z., Pei, S., Li, Y., & Wu, H. (2008). Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. Chinese Patent CN101302928A.
• Chen, Z., Xu, Y., Liu, J., Zheng, M., Yu, X., & Wang, S. (2017). Preparation method of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. Chinese Patent CN106015304A.