What Is PFA Tubing?
PFA tubing, made from a fluoroplastic known as PFA, is a versatile and durable tubing option used in various industrial and medical applications. This translucent tubing is heat resistant from -40°C to 260°C and boasts a high non-adhesive quality, making it ideal for handling viscous liquids without residue buildup. Its composition, free from plasticizers and additives, ensures that no excess components leach into liquids passing through it.
Uses for PFA Tubing
PFA tubing’s resistance to strong acids, alkalis, and corrosive agents makes it ideal for use in liquid crystal manufacturing, chemical plants, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, analyzers for liquids and gases, and acid-alkali cleaning in plating factories. Its suitability for transporting chemicals, fuel, oil, and steam also extends to laboratory settings, where its reliability and convenience are highly valued.
Additionally, PFA tubing is employed in the automotive and aerospace industries for wiring sheathing, offering protection against harsh environmental conditions.
Principle of PFA Tubing
PFA tubing is crafted from a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and (Perfluorohexyl) ethylene, granting it exceptional heat and chemical resistance. Its lower viscosity when melted compared to PTFE allows for easier processing and flexibility, enabling it to be shaped into tubes. PFA tubing stands out for its resistance to extreme conditions, excellent electrical insulation, and weather resistance, attributed to its fluorocarbon resin composition.
The extrusion process involves heating and melting PFA pellets, shaping them into tubes, and then cooling them in water. The selection of corrosion-resistant metals for production equipment is crucial due to the generation of minute amounts of decomposition products during melting.
Available in various grades, PFA tubing can be tailored to specific applications, ensuring optimal performance in diverse environments.