Vinyls: These plastics are amorphous polymers and contain a high amount of chlorine, approximately 56% in standard PVC and up to 65% in CPVC, which offers an inherent flame retardancy. For dual laminate applications, sheets are glued easily to the fiberglass substrate. Vinyls have an excellent cost-performance ratio.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): This amorphous thermoplastic is the most common. It is low in cost and is easy to fabricate with. PVC is excellent in handling many strong acid and alkali solutions and has a temperature capability up to about 140°F. Fiberglass is chemically bonded to PVC material.
• CPVC (Post Chlorinated PVC): Similar to PVC but higher in temperature capability up to about
190°F. Welding and fabrication are more difficult than PVC. Fiberglass is chemically bonded to CPVC material.
Polyolefins: These plastics are semi-crystalline and non-polar. They are not soluble in most common solvents. For dual laminate applications, sheets or rolls with fabric backing are used to bond to the fiberglass substrate.
• HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): This semi-crystalline polymer has a temperature capability up to about 175°F. It provides good impact behavior at low temperatures down to -58°F. Natural HDPE can be degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light. UV Stabilized HDPE is not degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light. Stabilization can be achieved by UV stabilizers or by appropriate carbon black grades and content. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• PP-H (Polypropylene Homopolymer): This semi-crystalline polymer has a temperature capability up to about 200°F. It is excellent in handling caustics, solvents, many acids, and organic chemicals. It is not usually recommended for oxidative materials. PP-H has a low modulus of elasticity, low density (SG .91), and can be degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• PP-H (Alpha-nucleated Polypropylene): This semi-crystalline polymer has a temperature capability up to about 212°F. It is an alpha-nucleated high molecular weight PP homopolymer known commercially as AlphaPlus PP-H that offers favorable properties vs. standard PP homopolymer material. The favorable properties of AlphaPlus PP-H include: improved chemical resistance, enhanced stress crack resistance, increased toughness, and higher impact resistance. AlphaPlus PP-H is based on a proprietary high end formulation supplied with DIBt (German Institute for Building Technology) approval. It is excellent in handling caustics, solvents, many acids, and organic chemicals. It is not usually recommended for oxidative materials. AlphaPlus has a low modulus of elasticity, low density (SG .91), and can be degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• PP-C (Polypropylene Copolymer): This semi-crystalline polymer has a temperature capability up to about 175°F. This temperature capability can be increased in dual laminate applications up to about 195°F by using a polypropylene fabric backed PP-C (PP-C-PK). PP-C is excellent in handling caustics, solvents, many acids, and organic chemicals. It is not usually recommended for oxidative materials. PP-C has a low modulus of elasticity, low density (SG .91), and can be degraded by exposure to ultraviolet light. The copolymer in PP-C slightly reduces the modulus and therefore the stiffness when compared to PP-H which can be an advantage in processing. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
Fluoroplastics: These plastics all contain fluorine which is highly electro negative making them inert and chemical resistant. They also tend to handle high temperatures and are very pure. Like polypropylene, mechanical means are used to bond FRP to the fabric backed liner. The fluoroplastics provide excellent resistance versus ultraviolet radiation. They are more costly than Vinyls or Polyolefins.
• PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride): This semi-crystalline polymer is the most commonly used fluoropolymer. It has a high level of purity, excellent chemical resistance, and a temperature capability of up to about 285°F. It is frequently used for strong acids, solvents, and in the handling of deionized (DI) water. It is not recommended for caustics. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• PVDF Flex (Polyvinylidene Fluoride Copolymer): This semi-crystalline polymer was developed to enhance the excellent chemical resistant properties of PVDF in caustic environments. The copolymer reduces the modulus and therefore the stiffness to allow for easier application to curved surfaces. It has a temperature capability up to about 275°F (dependent on PVDF Flex grade). Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• ECTFE (Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene): This semi-crystalline polymer is similar to PVDF in its chemical resistance but has somewhat improved resistance to caustic and chloride environments. It has excellent performance in terms of permeation resistance. It has a temperature capability up to about 300°F but can be more difficult to weld and thermoform due to its higher melt point. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene): This semi-crystalline polymer has improved chemical resistance in comparison to other partially fluorinated thermoplastics and has a temperature capability up to about 310°F. It is inert to most solvents and chemicals but not recommended for strong oxidizing acids and organic bases at very high concentrations. It has good performance even at lower temperatures and provides excellent anti-adhesive properties. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene): This semi-crystalline polymer has excellent thermal and chemical resistance. It has a temperature capability up to about 392°F and is inert to most solvents and chemicals. It is not recommended for molten alkali metals, halogenated complexes containing fluorine, fluorine, and some fluorochemicals. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
• PFA (perfluoroalkoxy): This semi-crystalline polymer has excellent thermal and chemical resistance. It has a high level of purity, excellent chemical resistance, and a temperature capability up to about 500°F (dependent on classification and type designation). PFA has the highest temperature capability of the melt processable thermoplastics and is inert to most solvents and chemicals. It is not recommended for molten alkali metals, halogenated complexes containing fluorine, fluorine, and some fluorochemicals. Sheet and roll products have a fabric backing for purposes of FRP bonding.
Note: All thermoplastic information presented serves as a guide only. In practice, each application regarding material selection should be individually evaluated since other data surrounding material properties and/or temperature ranges noted may be experienced for a specific application.
