Uses & Benefits
Fluorinated chemicals, including per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), have a long history of delivering outstanding performance in a wide variety of challenging applications. When fluorine atoms join together with carbon atoms, they create a powerful, stable chemical bond. The use of this bond is what gives FluoroTechnology distinct properties, providing strength, resilience and durability to a variety of products.
Textiles, Apparel and Outdoor Equipment
Outdoor performance apparel and gear enhanced with fluorinated polymers are water- and oil-repellent and stain- and abrasion-resistant, to help people stay warm and dry. In extreme weather conditions, high-performance outerwear and gear can even be life-saving. Many textiles, such as carpeting and fabrics, are treated for stain-resistance with fluorinated polymers, making it easier to clean spills and extending the life of carpets and clothing.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
Fluorinated polymers are used to create strong, durable, high-impact ballistic body armor for law enforcement officers and soldiers. It’s used to make protective clothing for firefighters and first responders to shield them against hazardous liquids, materials and flames. FluoroTechnology used in firefighting foam enables on-the-ground aircraft fires to be extinguished quickly, helping to save lives and protect firefighters and property.
Electronics
FluoroTechnology makes high-tech electronics and circuit boards more durable. Fluorinated chemical coatings protect circuit boards from failure due to moisture and keep fingerprints off touchscreens. Fiber optic cables, used for high-speed internet data communication, use fluoropolymers for their flexibility and excellent optical properties, which allow for a higher volume of information to flow through the cables to create a clearer picture. FluoroTechnology also is used in aircraft wiring and cable because it is light-weight and withstands extreme temperatures and environmental conditions, allowing for safe and fuel-efficient operations.
Nonstick Cookware
Fluoropolymers are used to make traditional nonstick cookware coatings that facilitate healthy cooking.
Building and Construction
Fluorinated surfactants are used in adhesives, sealants and caulks to strengthen the bond between surfaces in building and construction materials. It helps prevent infrastructure failures caused by corrosion and weather, lowering the cost of building maintenance and improving safety for construction workers and occupants. In addition, fluoropolymers used in paint coatings provide unmatched durability.
Automotive
FluoroTechnology improves fuel-delivery systems and prevents gasoline vapor seepage, leading to lower fuel consumption and reducing vehicle emissions. It also helps make certain wiring and components more heat and fluid resistant, increasing the reliability, safety and service life of automobiles.
Healthcare
In hospital gowns, drapes and divider curtains, certain fluorinated polymers create a barrier that provides life-saving protection against infections and transmission of diseases in hospitals.