PVC (POLYVINYLCHLORIDE)

PVC is the most frequently used thermoplastic for industrial systems. It is economical, weather and corrosion resistant, nontoxic and offers an exceptionally wide range of selection for fittings, piping, valves, and system components. Depending on which chemical will be used (refer to chemical resistance table), PVC has a maximum working temperature of 140ºF. PVC installations can use either threaded connections or solvent welded joints. Due to its high corrosion resistance, PVC is commonly used in applications involving acids, salts, water, alkalis, oil, and many other chemicals.

POLYPROPYLENE

Its lightweight, high strength, and increased temperature resistance combine to make polypropylene the most attractive thermoplastic of the polyolefins. In general, its maximum working temperature is 180ºF (please refer to corrosion resistance table for more details). Polypropylene is chemically resistant to organic solvents, as well as most acids and alkalis but should not be used with oxidizing acids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and aromatics. It is ideally suited for chemical wastes, agricultural chemicals, hospitals and laboratories, salt water disposal, crude oil piping systems, and low pressure gas gathering systems.

CPVC (CHLORINATED POLYVINYLCHLORIDE)

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, or CPVC, has been offering the process industry superior corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and excellent life-cycle economics in a single package. CPVC provides industry with longer service life, lower maintenance, and improved process utilization compared with traditional materials.

The availability of a full line of Corzan® process components enables engineers to take advantage of these unique benefits throughout entire industrial systems. Corzan Industrial Systems also offer the process industry comprehensive engineering services. Specialists are available to provide project assistance on topics such as material capabilities, specifications, and design recommendations.

Conceptually, CPVC is a PVC homopolymer that has been subjected to a chlorination reaction. Typically, chlorine and PVC react according to a basic free radical mechanism.

PVDF (POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)

PVDF is a high crystalline thermoplastic material with excellent chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. It has excellent chemical and corrosion resistance, is strong, tough, and abrasive resistant, and retains most of its strength to 280ºF. It is chemically resistant to most inorganic acids and bases, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, organic acids, alcohol, wet or dry chlorine, bromine and other halogens. Applications include ultra pure installations in the semiconductor industry, food processing industries, paper, textile and chemical industry, and nuclear waste processing.

TEFLON®, PTFE (POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE)

PTFE is a straight-chain polymer of tetrafluoroethylene. It has a high crystalline melting point (620ºF), very high melt viscosity, and a high maximum use temperature (greater than 500ºF). In addition, it exhibits unusual toughness down to very low temperatures (<-328ºF). It is insoluble in all known solvents and resists attack by most chemicals. Dielectric loss is low, whereas dielectric strength is high; antistick and antifriction properties are most unusual, inert and antiadhesive are the other important characteristics. PTFE is a thermoplastic material with a high chemical resistance rate, as well as nonflammable, radiation resistant, and thermally stable. Applications include ultra pure installations in semiconductor industries, biomedical, pharmaceutical industry, as well as chemical, food, and nuclear waste processing.

TEFLON, PFA
(TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE-PERFLUORO-PROPYL VINYL ETHER)

Copolymers of PTFE with perfluoro (propyl vinyl ether) are called perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). PFA share the same characteristics with PTFE except that its melting point is 68º below that of PTFE. Because its melt-flow rates and critical shear rates are higher than other copolymers, it allows PFA to be an injection moldable material. PFA has all the other advantages of PTFE such as: high working temperature, antistick performance, resistance to virtually all chemicals, low coefficient of friction, nonflammability, and excellent electrical properties. This is a great material suitable for all applications that require a smooth wetted surface to prevent contamination and bacterial growth.

EPDM (THEYLENE PROPYLENE)

EPDM is a terpolymer elastomer made from ethylene-propylene diene monomer. It offers excellent resistance to polar fluids such as water, phosphate esthers, and ketones but is not recommended for petroleum oils and solvents. EPDM possesses excellent resistance to heat degradation, compression set, low temperatures, sunlight, ozone, weathering, abrasion, and tear resistance. The effective temperature range is -70ºF to +300ºF.

VITON® (FLUOROCARBON)

A fluorocarbon elastomer having excellent mechanical and physical properties. Outstanding resistance to oils, lubricants, mineral acids, salt solutions, blended aromatic fuels and straight aromatics as well as halogenated hydrocarbons. The effective temperature range is -20ºF to +500ºF with limited service to +600ºF.

KALREZ®/CHEMRAX (PERFLUOROELASTOMER POLYMERS)

Chemraz and Kalrez are members of the perfluoroelastomer family. Polymer chemists describe the base (raw) perfluoroelastomers as polymers of three or more monomers in which all hydrogen positions have been replaced with fluorine. The outstanding resistance of perfluoroelastomer vulcanizates to heat and most chemicals and solvents is the result of this state of complete fluorination. The principal monomer of both Chemraz and Kalrez is tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). The effective temperature range for Kalrez is +5ºF to + 600ºF, for Chemraz –20ºF to +450ºF. A white Chemraz compound is available and features less impurities and less electrical conductivity.