This third member of the TEFLON^R family has many similarities to its cousins. High temperature resistance--500°F in air (equal to that of PTFE and higher than FEP), outstanding chemical resistance, low coefficient of friction, excellent electrical insulation properties, excellent weatherability and non-flammability are the properties PFA has in common with the other members. In addition, its strength and stiffness at high temperatures is at least as high as PTFE, thus higher than FEP; and its creep resistance over a wide temperature range is better than both its cousins. As well, PFA possess an outstanding dynamic flex life - over a million cycles in 8-mil film. PFA, like FEP, has a structure that allows it to be melt processible by conventional injection moulding and extrusion techniques making long lengths available. But, as with FEP, the much lower volumes and fewer converters, relative to PTFE, have kept prices higher than those of similar shapes of PTFE. As with the other members, PFA must be chemically etched to permit adhesive bonding to reasonable strength levels.

A full range of moulded PFA valves is available in solenoid operated, manual operated, pilot operated, stopcocks and check valves. Sizes range from 1/8-inch pipe size to 1/2-inch pipe size. These are excellent in ultra-purity, severe corrosion and high temperature high strength applications. To support these items Claremont Polymer Shapes also makes available a full range of moulded PFA tube fittings. These include elbows, unions, tees, connectors, reducers, caps, ferrule plugs and ferrule nuts. The use of these fittings requires that a special groove be made in the PFA tube material. We can provide the proper tool and instructions for this procedure.