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by Sara McCaslin, PhD Sara McCaslin, PhD No Comments

Applications for Kynar in Aerospace

In applications involving aircraft or space flight, selecting the right materials ensures performance and reliability under extreme conditions.  Because of its special properties, engineers have found many applications for Kynar in aerospace. 

Kynar, a highly durable fluoropolymer, is known for its exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and ease of manufacturing. This blog post explores why Kynar has become a go-to for aerospace components, emphasizing its unique properties that make it easy to produce and reliable in demanding environments.

What is Kynar?

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) has several trade names, including Kynar (Arkema), KF (Kureha), and Solef or Hylar (Solvay), although it is typically referred to as PVDF. It is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer developed as a coating material by DuPont in 1948. During the years, Kynar’s usage has extended well beyond a high-performance coating. This is no small part due to its high manufacturability, including machining and injection molding.

PVDF is a highly durable, semi-crystalline fluoropolymer known for its exceptional resistance to chemicals, UV radiation, and weathering. It boasts high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and excellent dielectric properties, making it ideal for applications in harsh environments. PVDF is commonly used in piping systems, chemical processing, electrical insulation, and coatings, especially where high purity and resistance to aggressive chemicals are crucial. Additionally, it is easily processed through injection molding and extrusion, offering versatility for manufacturing.

Properties of Kynar

Kynar has multiple properties that make it an excellent choice for many aerospace applications, most of which are summarized below.

Mechanical and Physical Properties

PVDF (Kynar) posseses outstanding mechanical properties, including good tensile strength, excellent abrasion resistance, lightweight, and low density (1.78 gm/cm³), making it ideal for aerospace applications.  It also has a high service temperature rating of 300°F and a low water absorption rate (0.4%), both of which enhance its performance in harsh environments.

Chemical and Environmental Resistance

One of PVDF’s most valuable features is its tremendous chemical resistance to a wide range of aggressive chemicals, including substances such as chlorine and hydrogen gases. It can also handle exposure to radiation, including outstanding resistance to UV radiation and weathering effects. 

Thermal and Electrical Properties

PVDF (Kynar) possesses excellent heat resistance and thermal stability, making it ideal for situations where insulation is needed, and is why it is used so often in wiring and cabling. In addition, PVDF is flame-resistant, exhibits low smoke generation, and possesses a UL 94 V-0 rating, indicating it is both non-flammable and self-extinguishing. PVDF also exhibits high electrochemical stability.

Processing and Manufacturing

Kynar has a reputation for excellent manufacturability. It is highly machinable and has one of the lowest melting points, making it melt-processable and injection moldable. PVDF exhibits easy processing on industry-standard equipment, easy post-processing, and is recyclable.

Aerospace

Use of Kynar in Aerospace

There are several areas where Kynar is an ideal material:

  • Pump assemblies
  • Tanks and vessels
  • Nozzles
  • Sensors and actuators
  • Fittings, pipes, tubing, and valves
  • Membranes, including microfiltration membranes
  • Filters and filter housings
  • Liners and films
  • Cable jacketing and harnessing
  • Cross-linked closed-cell foam for use in Lithium-Ion batteries

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kynar (PVDF) is an exceptional material for aerospace applications due to its outstanding mechanical properties, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and ease of manufacturing. Its versatility and durability make it ideal for critical components such as pump assemblies, cable jacketing, and filtration systems.

If you’re looking for high-quality Kynar components or other advanced sealing solutions, contact Advanced EMC today to learn how we can meet your aerospace needs. From materials to machining and injection molding, let our team work with you to reach your design goals.

by Denise Sullivan Denise Sullivan No Comments

Exploring the Properties and Applications of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Material: A Comprehensive Overview

PVDF is a high-performance fluoropolymer with excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, electrical insulation properties, and mechanical strength. Pennwalt Corporation first developed it in the 1960s under the trade name “Kynar.” Since then, PVDF has found its way into countless applications across multiple industries.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride

The Remarkable Properties of PVDF

PVDF possesses several remarkable properties that make it highly desirable for various industrial applications. Let’s take a closer look at some of these key attributes:

1. Chemical Resistance

One of the most notable features of PVDF is its exceptional chemical resistance. It can withstand exposure to various corrosive substances, including acids, bases, solvents, and even oxidizing solid agents, without degrading or losing its integrity. This property makes PVDF ideal for manufacturing components in aggressive chemical environments.

2. Thermal Stability

PVDF exhibits excellent thermal stability with a high melting point exceeding 170°C (338°F). This allows it to maintain its structural integrity at elevated temperatures without undergoing any significant changes in physical or mechanical properties. As a result, PVDF can be used in applications where exposure to high temperatures is expected.

3. Electrical Insulation Properties

Another essential characteristic of PVDF is its superior electrical insulation properties. It possesses excellent dielectric strength and low dielectric constant, making it suitable for applications requiring insulation against high voltages and electrical conductivity. PVDF is widely used to manufacture cables, wires, and electronic components.

4. Mechanical Strength

PVDF exhibits impressive mechanical strength and durability, providing excellent resistance to impact, wear, and tear. Its high tensile strength allows it to withstand heavy loads and mechanical stress without deforming or breaking. This makes PVDF an ideal material for structural components in various industries.

5. Weatherability

PVDF is highly resistant to UV radiation and weathering effects, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications that require long-term durability. It does not degrade or become brittle when exposed to sunlight or harsh environmental conditions, ensuring longevity even in challenging outdoor environments.

Applications of PVDF

The exceptional properties of PVDF have led to its extensive use across a wide range of industries. Let’s explore some of the critical applications where PVDF has proven to be highly valuable:

1. Chemical Processing Industry

PVDF’s outstanding chemical resistance makes it an ideal material for manufacturing pipes, fittings, valves, tanks, and other equipment used in the chemical processing industry. It can handle aggressive chemicals while maintaining its integrity over extended periods.

2. Electrical Industry

Due to its excellent electrical insulation properties and resistance to high temperatures, PVDF is widely used in the electrical industry for cable insulation, wire coatings, connectors, circuit board encapsulation materials, and other electronic components where electrical conductivity needs to be controlled effectively.

3. Water Treatment Systems

PVDF’s chemical resistance and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions make it desirable for water treatment systems, including pipes, filters, membranes, and other components. PVFD membranes are also extensively used in reverse osmosis desalination plants due to their ability to retain ions during the filtration process

4. Architectural Coatings

PVFD coatings are the preferred choice for architectural applications due to their exceptional weatherability and resistance to UV radiation. They are used in facades, cladding, roofing, and other external surfaces of buildings as they provide long-lasting protection against corrosion, fading, and degradation.

5. Medical Industry

PVDF is widely used in the medical industry to manufacture components such as catheters, surgical instruments, implants, dialysis membranes, and drug delivery systems. PVDF’s biocompatibility and resistance to sterilization methods make it an ideal material for medical devices.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) material offers a unique combination of properties, making it highly versatile and valuable across various industries. Its exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, electrical insulation properties, and mechanical strength have made it a preferred choice for numerous applications ranging from the chemical processing industry to architectural coatings. The future looks promising, with further advancements expected in developing and applying PVDF material.