Tefzel™ ETFE films belong to the family of fluoropolymer films. These are low-friction thermoplastics that are used for a wide variety of high-performance applications. The Tefzel™ brand is manufactured by the American company Chemours.
Tefzel™ films excel by their transparency, UV-stability, weather-resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and heat stability. Very good non-stick properties make it an ideal release film for many applications. ETFE materials can be sealed, thermoformed, welded and hot glued.
Compared to other fluoropolymer PTFE films and materials, Tefzel™ is approx. 20 % lighter in weight, which makes this special film an excellent solution in construction, architecture and various industries.
ETFE - a high-performance plastic - developed by DuPont
Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) is a performance plastic for applications with special requirements. The fluoropolymer ETFE plastic combines the technical, mechanical and chemical characteristics of Teflon™ films with those of polyethylene (PE). It is free from plasticisers. In contrast to Teflon, ETFE is characterised by a considerably lower specific weight (density), particularly high transparency and light transmission as well as greater rigidity. However, the heat resistance of ETFE is lower than that of Teflon™ and its anti-slip characteristics do not match those of Teflon™.
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) was developed by DuPont in the 1970s. It was a modification of Teflon™ in order to develop a non-combustible insulating material for the aviation industry. Instead, the new plastic from DuPont, which was marketed under the trade name Tefzel™, was mainly used as a stable and lightweight plastic for architectural and abrasion resilient applications.
Features and advantages of ETFE films
Tefzel™ ETFE film is a transparent, high-performance thermoplastic film that can be heat sealed, thermoformed and vacuum formed. It can also be heat-bonded, welded, metallised, laminated and used as an excellent hot melt adhesive. This variety of processing options combined with the following key properties provides a unique balance of capabilities that other plastic films do not offer.
Chemical resistance
ETFE film Tefzel™ is chemically inert and resistant to solvents, many acids and practically all chemicals. Exceptions are molten alkali metals, gaseous fluorine and certain complex halogenated compounds. It has a low permeability to liquids, gases, moisture and organic vapours. For information about the chemical resistance to acids of Tefzel™ films, please contact us.
Electrical reliability
The Tefzel™ film has an excellent reliability and retains its electrical characteristics over wide ranges and influencing factors. A dielectric strength of over 160 kV/mm for 0.025 mm film (4000 V/mil for 1 mil products) makes the ETFE film an ideal product for electric applications and insulation in different industries. It has no electric traces, is non-wettable and non-abrasive and has a very low dielectric constant. The dielectric constant of the special film is 2.3 at 10 GHz to 2.6 below 100 kHz, making it ideal for usage in insulated parts.
Temperature resistance
Tefzel™ films can be applied over a large operating temperature range. They are recommended for a continuous temperature in the range from -100 to 150 °C (-150 to 300 °F). The melting range lies within a heat range of 260 to 280 °C (500 to 536 °F). This means that the ETFE film can be heat-sealed and has a good heat resistance.
Impact resistance and mechanical properties
ETFE Tefzel™ film products have very good non-stick properties and a low friction. In addition, this very hard performance film has an excellent abrasion resistance, tear resistance and mechanical properties.
Low weight and density
Compared to other fluoropolymers such as FEP or PFA films of the Teflon™ brand, Tefzel™ ETFE films have a significantly lower weight. This is due to the approx. 20 % lower density of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer). Tefzel™ products therefore combines the characteristics of FEP and PFA films with a lower weight.
Long-term weather resistance
Tefzel™ fluoropolymer films are resistant to outdoor exposure to sun and UV. Their corrosion resistance makes these fluoropolymer films ideal for long-term outdoor use. ETFE films have a strong permeability to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Reliability
Tefzel™ ETFE film contains no plasticisers or other foreign substances
Tefzel™ features at a glance
- Chemically inert
- Corrosion resistant
- Excellent resistance to solvents and chemicals
- Dielectric strength of over 160 kV/mm for 0.025 mm film (4000 V/mil for 1 mil film)
- Non-wettable and great abrasion resistance
- Low dielectric constant
- Temperature resistance from -100 to 150 °C (-150 to 300 °F)
- Melting range from 260 to 280 °C (500 to 536 °F)
- Heat sealable
- Low friction, impact-resistant and tear-resistant
- Lower weight and density of ETFE
- UV and weather resistant film
- Various applications in construction, architecture and many industries
For more information about the properties and benefits of ETFE plastic products, please contact us.
Typical applications of Tefzel™ films
Tefzel™ film solutions can be used for a large variety of applications and industries. A main application of ETFE films the use for large-scale roofing and wall panels, which are self-cleaning due to the non-stick characteristics of ETFE. For example, the famous roof of Munich's "Allianz Arena" football stadium consists of over 1,700 air-cushion-like elements made from 0.2 mm thick ETFE film. In addition, façade, roofing and other prefabricated elements made of ETFE are increasingly being used for greenhouse constructions, roofing and building equipment such as conservatories or exhibition halls, for which traditional glass was previously used.
Tefzel™ films are also used for the construction of chemical and technical equipment due to their excellent chemical and corrosion resistance. ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) film can also be used as a weather-resistant laminate for green energy solar modules. Other applications include high-pressure-resistant capillaries and pressure-resistant chemical hoses as well as sealing and valve systems in the pharmaceutical industry or in medical and food technology. The properties of ETFE also make our Tefzel film the ideal solution for the electrical and electronics sector and other industries as a durable and dielectric-resistant insulation material.
Our range
We offer Tefzel™ films made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) in various thicknesses. The thinnest film thickness is 12.5 µm, the thickest film has a thickness of 125 µm.
The Tefzel™ films are offered with or without coatings. The standard product is the pure ETFE film without a special coating. However, if an adhesive is to be applied to the film surface, a special coating is required, otherwise the adhesive will not adhere to the surface. Chemours offers the option of one-sided or double-sided coatings for all Tefzel™ films. For further information please contact us.
Our service
Our company is specialized in the distribution and converting of technical films. This includes a consultation on the choice of the right products. We will be happy to advise you to find the right solution for your application and project.
For all Tefzel™ film products from Chemours (formely by DuPont) and other products, we are happy to provide you with a technical data sheet (ETFE data sheet) and a safety data sheet. On request, we can also send you samples for initial tests or the production of prototypes.
You can buy high-quality Tefzel™ ETFE films in our shop or order Tefzel™ films online on our website folien-zentrum.com. We offer these fluoropolymer films in rectangular sheets (as Tefzel™ cut-to-size sheets) or as rolls in the format you require. Let us know which product, material and dimensions you require. We are happy to supply you with Tefzel™ products and ETFE material in the size and quantity that you need. In addition to ETFE films, we also offer a wide range of special-performance films such as polycarbonate and polyester products. We are flexible and guarantee fast delivery for all products in stock. Contact the team of the König Film Centre (contact by e-mail: folienzentrum@koenig-kunststoffe.de) for further information, we look forward to receiving your enquiry and contact details!