PVDF - Super Polymer for Wet Process Tools!

Its one thing to know something has Super Man properties, but if you're like me you want to know why. The advent of fluoropolymers have brought to life huge value ever since the invent of the first fluoropolymer, PTFE (aka: Teflon®). PTFE was discovered in 1938 by accident while DuPont was trying to develop newer forms of refrigerants. What they found is that a polymerized tetrafluoroethylene had incredible properties such as slip, chemically inert, and mega high temperature resistance. Fluoropolymers are essentially alkenes (aka: olefins) which contain only carbon and hydrogen and which contain a highly reactive C=C double bond, but have one or more of the Hydrogens replaced with fluorine. The fluorine element is the Kryptonite, it adds to the chemical inertness nature of the polymer not to mention to the resistance to flame and smoke. 

One such fluoropolymer that has significant value to the Semiconductor market is PVDF. PVDF is a four letter acronym that stands for PolyVinyliDene Difluoride. PVDF was developed as a lower temperature offset to PTFE due to the limited melt process ability of PTFE. PTFE has an extremely high melt temperature making compression molding the main way to produce a useful shape. Given the ease of process ability of PVDF, it is commonly used in Semiconductor Wet Process equipment at a component level. A few of the attributes that make PVDF a super-polymer in terms of Semiconductor manufacturing are: 

• Inherent Flame & Smoke Resistance (naturally FM-491O compliant) 
• Purity 
• Dimensional Stability (as compared to PTFE) 
• Suitable Chemical Resistance 
• Excellent in most media, however it is attacked by strong bases, amines, esters, and ketones 

Comparison between PTFE & PVDF 

There are a variety of PVDFs available in the market in terms of resin, rheology, shapes available and even additives to enhance properties such as ESD. Port Plastics is your source for everything plastics related and Semiconductor. Contact your local Port Plastics sales office for assistance with fluoropolymers! 

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