FEP & PFA Glass Backed Laminates
FEP & PFA Belts are increasingly popular due to their nature & their inertness.
FEP & PFA Glass Backed Laminates
Often used for Production Belts
This remarkable material combines the proven chemical resistance properties of FEP or PFA film with a glass backed cloth which is formed into one homogeneous entity.
This almost indestructible material is free from any fillers or binders. It is inert to virtually all chemicals and solvents and offers a surface which is the ultimate in non-stick.
The knitted glass cloth backing is designed to allow bonding to almost any substrate or overwrapping with GRP. The glass cloth will accept epoxy polyesters, thermosetting resins and some general purpose adhesives so long-lasting bonds are easily achieved Laminate Construction
Since FEP and PFA are stress-crack resistant and the glass cloth is multi-directional, thermoforming is possible.
Holscot Fluoropolymers has used these materials extensively in vessel and tank lining projects. Indeed, we were the first company to complete a column glass backed FEP reinforced by GRP. We can supply dished ends and custom forming’s if required or advise on all aspects of thermoforming.
Sheets are typically 1150 mm wide or 1220 mm wide. Thicknesses are standard at 2.3mm thick polymer plus the thickness of the glass backing but other thicknesses are available up to 6mm.
Thicknesses from 0.01mm to 2.4mm (0.001″ to 0.090″)
- Excellent thermal stability: Usable throughout a wide thermal range -200 to +200°C (-328 to +392°F)
- Chemical Inertness: Resists almost all chemicals, such as strong acid, strong alkali, salt, and organic solvent.
- Anti-stick property: The lowest surface energy of all Fluoropolymer films; displays excellent mould release and anti-stick properties.
- Electrical reliability: High electrical insulation characterised by low-dialectic constant and dissipation factor and by high dialectic strength over a wide range of temperature and frequency.
- Resistance to weathering: Inert to outdoor exposure; with unchanged mechanical and physical properties after 10 years.
- Non-flammability: Will not burn in air or gas having an oxygen concentration of less than 95%.
- High transparency: Transparent, with an excellent transmission of ultraviolet rays and visible rays; lowest refractive index of all Fluoropolymer films; characterised by very low light reflection.
Standard Specifications of FEP Film
| Thickness | Size and Weight of Roll | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | inches | Width (mm) | Length (m) | Weight (kg) approx… |
| 0.025 | 0.001 | 1150 or 1220 | 200 or 183 | 13 |
| 0.05 | 0.002 | 1150 or 1220 | 200 or 183 | 25 |
| 0.1 | 0.004 | 1150 | 100 | 25 |
| 0.25 | 0.010 | 1250 | 80 | 50 |
| 0.5 | 0.020 | 1250 | 40 | 50 |
| 1.0 | 0.040 | 1250 | 20 | 50 |
| 1.5 | 0.060 | 1250 | 25 | 100 |
| 2.4 | 0.090 | 1250 | 15 | 100 |
Also available:
- Surface treatment for bonding applications.(sizes from 0.025mm to 0.1mm treated by corona discharge, larger sizes chemically etched)
- Pigmented films available for specialist applications (e.g. release film) red, white, black, chromed.
- Perforated films available for release film applications.
- Standard widths are 1150mm or 1250mm depending on thickness, larger sheets can be supplied by use of Holscot’s welding techniques which provide a virtually indiscernible joint.
- Other thicknesses available upon request.
Holscot Production FEP and ETFE Film
Holscot is now producing FEP film in gauges up to 1.5mm and widths up to 1180mm. This means that we now have individual flexibility in producing the product that you require at the right price. Some thinner gauge films can also be produced in ETFE for particular use in architectural structures. For more details of this application visit the section on Archtectural.
PFA Film
Holscot can supply PFA in a similar range to FEP film but also in thicknesses up to 6mm. Quotations on request
FEP Film Properties
| Property | Value | Units | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Properties | |||
| Specific Gravity | 2.15 | ASTM D1505 | |
| Tensile Strength (machine direction) | 290 | Kg/cm2 | |
| Tensile Strength (transverse direction) | 275 | Kg/cm2 | |
| Elongation (machine direction) | 350 | % | |
| Elongation (transverse direction) | 360 | % | |
| Bending Resistance | >100,000 | cycles | |
| Co-efficient of friction (static) (to steel ball) | 0.1-0.4 | Bauden-Rebens | |
| Contact Angle (water) | 110-115 | degrees | |
| Optical Properties | |||
| Transmittance (wavelength 0.2 to 3) | 95 | % | |
| Refractive Index | 1338 | N25 | |
| Thermal Properties | |||
| Melting Point | 270 | °C | |
| Lowest temp of thermal decomposition | 420 | °C | 10°C/min temp rise |
| Specific heat | 0.28 | Cal/g.cm | |
| Co-efficient of thermal conductivity | 6×10-4 | Cal/sec °C.cm | ASTM C177 |
| Co-efficient of linear expansion | 8.3-10.5×10-5 | 1/°C | ASTM D696 |
| Heat Shrinkage Rate (machine direction) | -0.4 | % 0.005mm | 30 min at 150°C |
| Heat Shrinkage Rate (transverse direction) | +0.3 | % 0.005mm | 30 min at 150°C |
| Electrical Properties | |||
| Dielectric Constant 103 – 109Hz (22°-2°C) | 2.05 | ASTM D150 | |
| Dissipation Factor 103 Hz (22°-2°C) | <0.0002 | ASTM D150 | |
| Dissipation Factor 106 Hz (22°-2°C) | 0.0004 | ASTM D150 | |
| Dissipation Factor 103 Hz (22°-2°C) | 0.0015 | ASTM D150 | |
| Volume Resistivity (22°C) | 1018 | Ohm-cm | ASTM D257 |
| Dielectric strength | 13 | Kv/100microns | ASTM D149 |
| Permeability | |||
| N2 Gas | 120×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| O2 Gas | 370×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| H2 Gas | 1080×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| CO2 Gas | 970×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| CH4 Vapours | 66×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| Ethylene Vapours | 44×10-10 | Cm3.cm/cm2.sec.atm | ASTM D1434 |
| Moisture Permeability | 1.6 | g/m2. 24hrs | |
| Water absorption | <0.01 | %, 24hrs | ASTM D570 |
| Flammability | |||
| Critical Oxygen Index | >95 | % by vol. | |
| Durability | |||
| Water, moisture | Excellent | ||
| Sunlight, ultraviolet rays | Excellent | ||
These values are typical performance data, not intended to be used as design data
Custom Belts in Fluoropolymer
Holscot has carried out extensive development in the production of continuous belts using fabric backed fluoropolymers – both FEP and PFA. The strength of the fabric provides stability whilst the FEP and PFA offers the properties of Non Stick and Chemical Resistance. The belts are formed using Holscot’s machine welding technology which provides a smooth seam at the joint which will ensure the end product is not marked.
Our installation teams can travel worldwide to carry out the final closing seam on site.
FEP Release Film for Carbon Fibre Lamination lay up
During the lay up process of carbon fibre lamination, a thin gauge film must be used to prevent the vacuum bagging components adhering to the uncured laminate. Because of the high temperature of the curing process, the film needs not only to be anti adherent but also resistant to elevated temperature. FEP fulfils this criteria and is used in its thinnest gauges (25 and 50 micron). In some cases, visibility of the film is a necessity so pigmented FEP is used (white or red).