Fluoropolymers: Origin, Production, and Industrial and Commercial Applications

Fluoropolymers have had a profound effect on all aspects of industry since their discovery during the 1930s. This review briefly describes the historical development of the fluoropolymer industry, with a focus on traditional fluoroplastics, and lists the major industrial and commercial materials currently in use. These include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), the ethylene copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), the ethylene copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), polyvinyldifluoride (PVDF), Nafion, fluoroethylenevinylether (FEVE), a semicrystalline three component terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride (THV), Teflon-AF, Cytop, and Hyflon. The production, processing, and properties of these fluoropolymers are discussed, together with examples of the specific uses in chemical industry, manufacturing, electronics, architecture, energy, health and domestic sectors. Other related fluoropolymers such as fluoroelastomers, perfluoropolyethers, and fluorosurfactants are briefly mentioned. Environmental aspects of fluoropolymers are considered as is the current state of the fluoropolymer industry.