Material Types and Specification System

Type	Structural Features	Common Thickness Range (mm)	Width/Dimensions (mm)	Primary Production Method	Main Application Scenarios
Compression Molded Sheet	Uniform texture, smooth surface, semi-transparent to transparent	1.0 - 40	100x100 - 400x400	Compression Molding	Gaskets, sight glasses, machined parts, anti-corrosion linings
Extruded Sheet	Higher surface smoothness, tighter thickness tolerance	0.5 - 15	Up to 1200 wide, length customizable	Extrusion Molding	Equipment lining, welded tanks, electronic/electrical components
High Purity PFA Sheet (HP)	Higher purity, extremely low metal ion content	1.5 - 3.0	1200 wide or custom	Extrusion/Compression	Semiconductor wet processes, pharmaceutical/biotech apparatus
Glass Backed Laminate	PFA layer + fiberglass/carbon fiber backing	1.5 - 3.0 (PFA layer)	1200/1500 wide	Lamination	Large storage tank, tower/tank linings, enhanced structural stability

Technical Parameters and Performance Indicators

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Performance Indicator	Typical Value/Range	Test Standard
Density (g/cm³)	2.12 - 2.17	ASTM D792
Tensile Strength (MPa)	15 - 31.4	JIS K6888
Elongation at Break (%)	250 - 350	JIS K6888
Hardness (Shore D)	55 - 65	ASTM D2240
Mold Shrinkage (%)	3.1 - 7.7	Internal Standard
Coefficient of Friction (Static)	0.05 - 0.08	Internal Method

Thermal and Electrical Properties

Performance Indicator	Typical Value/Range	Test Standard
Melting Point (℃)	303 - 313	ASTM D3307
Long-term Service Temp (℃)	-200 to 260	—
Thermal Decomposition Temp (℃)	≥415	—
Dielectric Strength (kV/mm)	≥50	GB/T 1408
Volume Resistivity (Ω·cm)	10^18 level	ASTM D257
Saturated Water Absorption (%)	<0.03	—

Environmental and Long-term Performance

Performance Indicator	Typical Value/Range	Test Standard/Method
Chemical Corrosion Resistance	Resistant to all except fluorides, molten alkali metals	ASTM D543
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance	Excellent ESCR properties	—
Ozone/UV Resistance	Excellent, no significant aging	—
Limiting Oxygen Index (%)	≥95	ISO 4589

Typical Application Fields

Application Field	Specific Uses	Recommended Type	Key Requirements
Semiconductor & Electronics	Wet etching tanks, wafer carriers, high-purity chemical delivery system linings	High Purity PFA Sheet	Extremely low metal ion leaching, resistance to strong acids/oxidizers
Chemical Anti-corrosion	Reactor linings, storage tank liners, pipeline sight glasses, valve seals	Compression Molded/Extruded Sheet	Resistance to all chemicals, long-term 260°C resistance
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	Pharmaceutical equipment linings, medical device components, implant-grade apparatus	High Purity PFA Sheet	Physiological inertness, sterilizable, no toxic leachables
New Energy	Photovoltaic cell etching equipment, lithium battery separator line components	Extruded Sheet	Plasma resistance, high cleanliness
Aerospace & Military	High-temperature electrical insulation gaskets, fuel system seals	Glass Backed Laminate	Lightweight, resistance to thermal shock, flame retardant
General Industry	Welding shields, mechanical wear pads, anti-stick conveyor slide plates	General PFA Sheet	Low friction, easy cleaning, good machinability

Processing, Joining, and Installation Guide

1.  Machining

    - Cutting: Use fine-tooth saws, high-speed milling machines, or waterjets to ensure smooth cuts. PFA is soft; use sharp tools and medium speeds to avoid melting from overheating.

    - Drilling/Milling: Standard metalworking equipment can be used. Cooling with cold air or cutting fluid is recommended. Thermal expansion coefficient must be considered for tight tolerances.

2.  Joining and Welding

    - Hot Gas Welding: Uses PFA welding rod and hot air gun (350-400°C). Suitable for lining repairs and manufacturing small containers.

    - Butt Fusion: Specialized equipment heats sheet edges to melt, then presses together. High joint strength, suitable for large tank fabrication.

    - Surface Lamination: Adhesives or thermal fusion bond PFA sheets to steel or FRP substrates (e.g., GBK backed sheets) to form anti-corrosion linings.

3.  Installation

    - Lining Construction: Sheets must tightly adhere to the substrate to avoid voids. Corners require rounded fillets; pre-formed parts reduce stress.

    - Flange Sealing: When used as gaskets, low bolt torque is recommended to prevent PFA cold flow.

    - Static Protection: PFA is insulating. In flammable dust or volatile gas environments, static dissipation measures should be considered.

Selection Decision Matrix

Application Scenario	Primary Performance Requirement	Recommended Sheet Type	Key Considerations
Semiconductor Wet Processes	Ultra-high purity, resistance to hot concentrated acids	High Purity Extruded PFA Sheet	Verify metal ion leaching specifications; prefer HP grade
Aggressive Chemical Storage Tanks	Permeation resistance, structural strength	Glass Backed Laminate	Backing weave density affects bond strength
High-Temperature Sealing Gaskets	Creep resistance, compression recovery	Compression Molded PFA Sheet (Thick)	Control preload; avoid excessive compression
Food/Pharmaceutical Contact Surfaces	Non-toxic, easy to clean, non-stick	Food Grade PFA Sheet	Must meet FDA or USP Class VI certification
Precision Machined Components	Dimensional stability, low internal stress	Annealed/Oriented Sheet	Post-molding annealing recommended to relieve stress
Long-term Outdoor Exposure Parts	UV resistance, weatherability	Carbon-filled or UV-stabilized natural grade	Natural PFA is already highly weatherable; modification often unnecessary

Industry Customized Solutions

1.  Semiconductor Equipment Localization

    - Need: 300mm wafer wet cleaning tanks, high-purity fluid distribution manifolds.

    - Solution: >12mm thick high-purity PFA extruded sheets, dimensions up to 1200x2400mm, integrally welded.

    - Application: Etching and post-CMP cleaning in 12-inch fabs.

2.  Lithium Battery Separator Production Lines

    - Need: Extraction tanks, stretching guides, anti-stick roller coverings.

    - Solution: Antistatic modified PFA sheets combining electrolyte corrosion resistance and low surface adhesion.

    - Application: Wet process separator lines, formation process guide rollers.

3.  Green Hydrogen & Nuclear Energy

    - Need: High-temperature pure water resistance, radiation-resistant seals.

    - Solution: Nuclear grade PFA sheet with optimized radiation resistance formulation.

    - Application: Electrolyzer seals, nuclear power plant instrumentation tubing liners.

4.  Laboratory Analytical Instruments

    - Need: Micro-sample cells, strong acid digestion vessel liners.

    - Solution: High-transparency thin-walled compression molded PFA sheets, light transmission >90%.

    - Application: Core components for ICP-MS, microwave digestion systems.

Storage and Maintenance

Storage Conditions

- Environment: Clean, dry, dark warehouse; away from heat sources (≥50°C) and sharp objects.

- Stacking: Sheets should be stored flat on level pallets; stack height ≤1m to prevent deformation from prolonged pressure.

- Shelf Life: Indefinite storage; material properties do not significantly degrade (protect from light to prevent minor surface discoloration).

Maintenance

- Cleaning: Surface contaminants can be wiped with mild detergents, alcohol, or acetone; avoid hard tools like steel wool.

- Repair: Surface scratches can be repaired using a hot air welder with matching welding rod, then scraped smooth. For through damage, patching or replacement is recommended.

- **Aging Inspection**: For long-term high-temperature service, inspect every 6-12 months for discoloration (slight yellowing does not affect performance), embrittlement, or stress cracking.

Development Trends

Technological Development Directions

1.  Ultra-High Purity: Control of metal ion leaching moving towards ppt (parts per trillion) levels to support sub-10nm semiconductor processes.

2.  Functional Modification: Development of antistatic, conductive, thermally conductive, light-transmitting enhanced specialty PFA sheets to expand application boundaries.

3.  Large Format & Near-Net Shape: Breakthroughs in wide-width extrusion (>1500mm) and precision die forging to reduce weld seams and improve structural integrity.

4.  Green Manufacturing: Research into PFA scrap recycling and reprocessing/pelletizing technologies to reduce full life cycle carbon footprint.

Market Application Expansion

1.  Hydrogen Energy: Coatings replacing bipolar plates in fuel cells, liners for hydrogen storage vessel valves.

2.  Biopharmaceuticals: Sensor ports for single-use bioreactors, linings for continuous flow pharmaceutical equipment.

3.  Advanced Packaging: Interlayer dielectrics for 2.5D/3D packaging, insulating materials for high-frequency substrates.

4.  Ocean Engineering: Anti-corrosion liners for deep-sea exploration equipment pressure housings, chlorine-resistant linings for desalination plants.

 

As the fluoroplastic with the most comprehensive overall performance among engineering sheets, PFA sheet combines PTFE's ultimate corrosion resistance, 260°C-grade temperature resistance, and the processing convenience of thermoplastics. It is an irreplaceable key material in strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and new energy. As process purity requirements continue to escalate and application scenarios diversify, PFA sheets are evolving from "passive corrosion protection" to "functional integration". Correct grade selection, precise secondary processing, and standardized welding/installation practices are core to realizing its full lifecycle value. Amidst the global trend towards high-end, green industrial transformation, PFA sheets will persistently maintain their core role as the "corrosion-resistant backbone" of high-precision manufacturing.