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High-Performance Plastics for Demanding Applications

Fluoropolymers are long-chain polymers in which a large proportion or even all of the hydrogens contained are usually replaced by fluorine. Fluorine atoms have the highest electro negativity, which means that the carbon-fluorine compound has a very high binding energy. For this reason, fluoropolymers exhibit extremely high temperature and chemical resistance. They also have excellent electrical insulation properties, superior weathering resistance, good notched impact strength, anti-adhesive behavior and they are self-extinguishing.

Typical areas of application for fluoropolymers are:

  • Automotive cables (sensor cable / NOX / Lambda)
  • High temperature cables
  • High frequency cables
  • Chemical resistant cables
  • Miniature cables
  • Flat ribbon cables
  • Heating cables
  • Control cables
  • Connecting cables

Fluoropolymers are divided into thermoplastically processable (FEP, ETFE, PFA, etc.) and non-thermoplastically processable (PTFE) plastics. This results in different processing methods. While the thermoplastic fluoropolymers are melted by means of extruders and then applied to the conductor and cooled, PTFE cannot be melted due to its high molecular weight. Various pressing and sintering techniques must therefore be used to process the powdered PTFE.