Solef® PVDF

Solef® PVDF is a family of semi-crystalline fluoropolymers with a balance of physical properties that qualify them for high performance service in a wide range of applications. They possess the characteristic stability of fluoropolymers when exposed to harsh thermal, chemical and UV environments.

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OverviewProcessingPerformanceApplications

Solef® PVDF is a fluorinated semi-crystalline thermoplastic which is obtained by polymerizing vinylidene fluoride. Without any additives, it has the intrinsic stability inherent to fluoropolymers even when exposed to harsh environments, providing the user with a unique combination of properties resulting in longer equipment life.

In addition to the PVDF homopolymers, Solef® is available in a wide range of VF2-HFP copolymers and VF2-CTFE copolymers that provide superior cold temperature behavior. The VF2-CTFE range comprises the Solef® 60000 series, which offers an improved balance between good cold temperature properties and thermo-mechanical properties of the homopolymers.

Relative performance of melt processable fluoropolymers

In addition to the Solef® PVDF resins, Solvay Specialty Polymers offers a wide range of fluoropolymers which are also easily processable by injection, extrusion, and all conventional processing techniques.

A selection of some of the Solef® PVDF main applications is presented here.

For other markets and applications please refer to the Markets section.

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Chemical Processing Industry

Industries such as Chemical Processing rely on Solef® PVDF to withstand heat and pressure, aggressive chemicals, mechanical stress, and abrasive particles in varied applications:

Chemical production
Transport and storage systems
Filtration and separation equipment (filters, membranes, housings)
Heat exchangers

Films

PV Backsheet Films

Solef® PVDF films are ideally suited as a component in backsheet laminates used in photovoltaic modules. PVDF offers an excellent combination of properties from UV stability to water vapor permeation resistance making it an excellent choice. Solef® PVDF can be laminated to PET to provide the traditional fluoropolymer-PET-fluoropolymer or fluoropolymer-PET structure currently available in the marketplace.

Gas Sampling Bags

Gas sampling bags fabricated from Ajedium Solef® PVDF film are inert to most gases and resist gas permeation.

Films are available from 1 mil up to 55” wide and are designed to retain their properties when exposed to a variety of chemicals over a wide range of temperatures. Moreover Solef® PVDF does not contain additives that could eventually leach out during service and will not demonstrate particle generation over time.

Solef® PVDF films are readily thermo weldable. Tensile tests performed on the welded seams have proven that fusions are as 100% reliable as the original material.

Pumps and Filters Diaphragms in Chemical Industry

Thanks to its chemical resistance and high service temperature, Solef® PVDF films are used in the manufacturing of diaphragms for pumps and filters used in CPI applications.

Antigraffiti Covering Films

Thanks to their chemical resistance and low surface tension, Solef® PVDF films are used to protect surfaces from graffiti. PVDF high chemical resistance allow the use of aggressive cleaning agents to remove inks and its low surface tension reduce the adhesion of graffiti.

Li-Ion Batteries

With a high chemical and electrochemical resistance, Solef® PVDF grades offer more reliable life time and performances when used as binder.

Furthermore, with its good wettability in electrolyte and its ease of processing with different technologies, Solef® PVDF resin is used as component in the separator membrane improving safety and performances with more effective cost.

Membranes

Solef® PVDF possess all the characteristics necessary to make hollow fiber, flat sheet and tubular membranes with the pore size and separation selectivity used in the realization of bioprocessing and medical filtration membranes and food and beverage processing membranes.

Oil & Gas

Solef® PVDF has been used in the harsh environments of down-hole and sub-sea oil production for many years due to its proven thermal, chemical resistance and barrier properties.

Solef® PVDF is used in multilayer flexible pipes, such as risers and flow-lines, which bring the crude oil from the under-sea wells up to the fixed platforms or floating installations.

Water Supply Systems

Solef® PVDF grades are widely used in piping systems for ultrapure water, hot, concentrated acids; pharmaceutical grade chemicals; chrome plating chemicals and more. They are also materials of choice for the construction of flexible risers for off-shore oil & gas extraction as well as for off- and on-shore distribution.

Wire & Cable

Solef® VDF-HFP PVDF copolymers are widely used for jacketing copper plenum cables and for plenum rated optical fiber raceways thanks to their outstanding fire resistance.

Solef® VDF-CTFE copolymers combine improved flexibility, low shrinkage, and an expanded range of service temperatures.

New Applications

Solef® PVDF grades offer novel solutions for several new challenging applications. Their characteristics - high purity, resistance to solvents and acids, excellent dimensional stability, mechanical strength, high dielectric and piezoelectric properties, UV stability, and ease of processing - make them suitable for cutting edge uses in aerospace, fuel cells, microelectronics, sensors, biotechnology, and robotics.