TEFZEL DATA SHEET ETFE FLUOROPOLYMERS ptfe teflon ptfe flurocarbons

Tefzel® (ETFE) — Technical Data & End-Use Applications

Material Overview

Tefzel® is the DuPont™ (now Chemours™) brand for ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), a high-performance fluoropolymer film. It combines excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation, mechanical toughness, and long-term weatherability. Tefzel® sits between PTFE (Teflon®) and lower-cost plastics, making it a reliable choice for demanding industrial, electrical, and architectural applications.

Key Performance Properties

Property	Value / Description
Tensile Strength at Break	≈ 41 MPa (6000 psi)
Elongation at Break	≈ 300 %
Flex Modulus	≈ 830 MPa
Folding Endurance (MIT)	≈ 50,000 cycles
Melting Range	260-280 °C (500-536 °F)
Service Temperature	–100 °C to +150 °C (continuous); HT grades up to ~155 °C
Dielectric Strength	> 160 kV/mm (≈ 4000 V/mil)
Dielectric Constant (1 kHz)	≈ 2.6; Dissipation ≈ 0.0007
Weatherability	UV-stable outdoors; no yellowing or cracking after decades
Specific Gravity	≈ 1.7
Water Absorption	< 0.02 %

Chemical & Environmental Resistance

ETFE is chemically inert, resisting almost all acids, bases, and solvents. It withstands long-term exposure to aggressive chemicals and UV radiation, with minimal property loss. Only molten alkali metals and certain fluorinating agents can attack it. Its environmental durability makes it ideal for long-life outdoor applications.

Processing & Fabrication

Transparent and flexible film; easily heat-sealed, welded, laminated, or thermoformed.
HT-grades provide improved impact strength, abrasion resistance, and UL-94 V-0 flame rating.
Available in clear or colored films, sheets, rods, tubing, and molded parts.
Can be vacuum-formed or used as a high-temperature release film in composite molding.

Typical End-Use Applications

Electrical & Wiring: Aerospace and automotive wire insulation, cable jacketing, connectors, and coil forms.
Chemical Processing: Lined pipes, pump housings, valves, fittings, tanks, and chemical-resistant vessels.
Architectural Films: Transparent, self-cleaning facades and roofs (e.g., Allianz Arena, Beijing Water Cube).
Agriculture: Greenhouse films and covers with > 95% light transmission and 20+ year durability.
Medical & Labware: Tubing, vessels, and components requiring high purity and chemical resistance.
Industrial Films: Release liners, abrasion-resistant sheets, and protective covers for harsh environments.

Bottom line: Tefzel® (ETFE) offers a unique combination of toughness, chemical resistance, and weatherability—making it the go-to choice where conventional plastics fail but PTFE is too costly or difficult to process.