Kynar
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Kynar® polyvinylidene fluoride, the homopolymer of 1,1-di-fluoro-ethene, is a tough, engineering thermoplastic that offers a unique balance of properties. It has the characteristic stability of fluoropolymers when exposed to harsh thermal, chemical, and ultraviolet environments, while the alternating CH2 and CF2 groups along the polymer chain provide a unique polarity that influences its solubility and electric properties. Kynar® resins are readily melt-processed by standard methods of extrusion and injection / compression molding. At elevated temperatures Kynar® PVDF can be dissolved in polar solvents such as organic esters and amines. This selective solubility is an advantage in the preparation of corrosion resistant coatings for chemical process equipment and long-life architectural finishes on building panels.
Key Attributes of Kynar® PVDF include:
Mechanical strength and toughness High abrasion resistance High thermal stability High dielectric strength High purity Readily melt processible Resistant to most chemicals and solvents Resistant to ultraviolet and nuclear radiation Resistant to weathering Resistant to fungi Low permeability to most gases and liquids Low flame and smoke characteristics Rigid and Flexible versions of Kynar® PVDF are available. CPI Chemical Process Industry
Industrial Applications
Kynar® PVDF components are used extensively in the high purity semiconductor market (low extractible values), pulp and paper industry (chemically resistant to halogens and acids), nuclear waste processing (radiation and hot acid applications), and the general chemical processing industry (chemical and temperature applications). Kynar® fluoropolymers have also met specifications for the food and pharmaceutical processing industries.
Kynar Flex® resins are a series of PVDF-based fluoropolymers that are similar to Kynar® resins in purity and chemical resistance, but possess unique qualities of additional chemical compatibility in high pH solutions, increased impact strength at ambient and colder temperatures, and increased clarity.
Kynar® PVDF is fabricated into wide range of components including:
Pipes, fitting and valves Pump assemblies Sheet and stock shapes Films Tubing Architectural
Kynar 500® resin is the fluoropolymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) used as the base resin in liquid coatings formulated by leading paint manufacturers. Kynar 500® resin is marketed under license agreements. When formulated into a coating composition which, according to the license agreement, contains a minimum of 70% by weight of Kynar 500® resin, the resultant coatings exhibit superior:
Color retention Chalk resistance Corrosion resistance Flexibility Stain resistance Overall exterior durability Substrates Liquid coatings containing Kynar 500® resin are factory applied to properly cleaned, pretreated and primed metal substrates and then oven baked. Metal substrates most commonly coated with Kynar 500® resin based finishes are aluminum, hot dip galvanized, G 90, steel and 55% aluminum zinc alloy coated steel. Kynar 500® resin based coatings are typically applied to building components such as metal siding and roofing, storefront extrusions, curtain walls, louvers, skylights and other miscellaneous metal trim and extrusions. Components can be either post formed from precoated coil stock or spray coated after fabrication. Color Each of the Kynar 500® brand licensees has established its own standard colors. Special colors, including metallics and exotics, are subject to approval by the licensees; however, a broad range of brighter colors are now available.
Composition & Materials Kynar 500® resin is a high molecular weight homopolymer of vinylidene fluoride. Finishes based on Kynar 500® resin are formulated by the licensed formulators and contain, in addition to Kynar 500® resin, solvents and high quality pigments. These high quality coating systems have a proven history of performance when exposed to severe ultraviolet radiation for extended periods (over 33 years) of time. To insure that the formulation being supplied contains Kynar 500® resin manufactured by Arkema, a letter of certification from the licensee is recommended.
Electrical Applications
Kynar Flex® fluoropolymer resin is the premium jacketing material for use on data, voice signal, alarm, and video low-voltage cable. Because Kynar Flex® fluoropolymer exhibits minimal flame-spread and smoke-generation, cable jacketed with this fluoropolymer meets National Electrical Code (NFPA-70A) requirements for installation in building plenum areas without conduit. In fact, to increase the safety factor, many insurance carriers recommend that their clients install plenum cable throughout in plenum and non-plenum building areas. Kynar Flex® fluoropolymer resin is extremely durable and resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage during and after cable installation. Its flexibility makes cable installation faster and easier. Kynar Flex® fluoropolymer is also a jacketing material for non-plenum cable applications where its flexibility, toughness, light weight, and resistance to chemical, thermal, corrosive, and ultraviolet attack are important. Examples include avionics, fluid sensing, instrumentation wiring, mass transit signaling, communications and system control. Kynar Flex® fluoropolymer resin is particularly well suited for use in hostile environments where corrosive atmospheres, thermal cycling, or mechanical stress to the cable are possible.
Lithium Ion Batteries
Kynar® PVDF homopolymers and copolymers have gained success in the battery industry as binders for cathodes and anodes in lithium-ion technology, and as battery separators in lithium-ion polymer technology.
Arkema is the world's leading producer of PVDF. Our particular brand of high purity, battery grade PVDF resins are Kynar® and Kynar Flex®. Arkema has been involved with lithium technology from the beginning, working closely with battery scientists to help develop the technology. We've been using our more than thirty years of experience in coatings and films to help design thinner, smaller lithium-ion batteries.
Polymer Process Additive
Kynar Flex® PPA resins offer a range of fluorinated processing aids specifically designed to improve LLDPE/mPE and PP film extrusion, when used at 100 - 1000 ppm addition levels. Kynar Flex® PPA is effective in eliminating melt fracture (shark skin) and die build-up while allowing for higher outputs and reduced extruder pressure. This results in improved film quality and strength even when utilizing anti-block agents.
Kynar Flex® PPA processing aids are additives which solve processing problems encountered with polyolefins while increasing the throughput capacity of most extruders. Kynar Flex® PPA can eliminate or minimize many of the melt instabilities which occur in high shear extrusion, mainly melt fracture. This allows a wider operating window for process parameters. Kynar Flex® PPA migrates to the metallic surfaces of the equipment used to process the polymer and creates a micro-fine coating on the die surface. This coating acts as a lubricant to reduce apparent viscosity, lower die pressure and melt temperature, and increase film production rates.