Since the beginning of this year, there has been a growing demand for a ban on the use of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), not only within the industry but also among the general public. We have being asked a lot regarding the ” is PTFE a PFAS” by our clients, cooperators. It is now imperative for us to present the facts, let’s the public hear our voice.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the regulatory body responsible for implementing EU regulations on the registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemical substances, has taken the initiative to propose a ban on the utilization of PFAS in specific products intended for consumers and professionals. This proposal, which marks the most comprehensive action to date, is primarily motivated by concerns regarding the potential risks posed by PFAS to human health and the environment.
What is PFAS?
PFAS are a large and diverse family of chemistries.
PFAS, short for per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, comprise a broad and varied family of chemistries. These substances are characterized by the presence of carbon-fluorine bonds, which are known for their exceptional strength, making them the most robust chemical bonds in organic chemistry. The distinctive and valuable properties exhibited by PFAS make them indispensable in facilitating a wide range of technologies and applications.
The term “PFAS” encompasses a staggering array of over 9000 different substances. However, it is worth noting that only a fraction, less than 10%, of all PFAS substances are currently in commercial use. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that not all PFAS are identical. The chemistries employed in commercial applications exhibit diverse physical and chemical properties, health and environmental profiles, uses, and benefits.
Is PTFE a PFAS?
Fluoropolymers, such as PTFE, PVDF, PFA, represent a specific category of PFAS that play a vital role in modern life across various sectors and industries, including the Green Economy. These materials possess a remarkable combination of properties that contribute to their indispensability.
The exceptional properties of PTFE encompass fire resistance, weather resistance, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, non-wetting and non-sticking properties, as well as high-performance dielectric properties. These characteristics enable their application in a wide range of sectors, as they meet specific performance requirements where failure is simply not an option.
Fluoropolymers find critical use in an extensive array of applications across nearly every major sector of the economy. Their importance to these sectors and industries arises from the need for products that deliver reliable performance and meet stringent specifications.
PTFE – a significant role in different industry
- Seals: PTFE are used as seals in fuel containment systems and fuel injectors.
- Shaft seals and valve stem seals use fluoropolymers to protect against dust and aggressive lubricants.
- Greenhouse emission controls employ fluoropolymers to lower exhaust emissions, reducing vehicle carbon footprints.
- Fluoropolymers enhance safety and maintain high voltages in fuel cells and batteries for electric vehicles.
- Fuel lines, hoses, and turbocharger hoses benefit from fluoropolymers’ high-temperature resistance, preventing leaks and breakdowns.
- ABS brake lines utilize fluoropolymers for improved brake efficiency and pressure absorption.
Medical Device
- In surgically implantable medical devices like vascular grafts, stent-grafts, and surgical mesh, fluoropolymers reduce the risk of failure, infections, complications, and the need for replacements, extending implant lifetimes.
- Heart patches utilize fluoropolymers in multiple layers to minimize complications related to tissue attachment and equipment malfunction.
- Catheters benefit from fluoropolymer coatings that provide low friction and resistance to clot formation, enhancing patient safety and comfort.
- High dielectric insulators made from fluoropolymers enable the functionality of defibrillators, pacemakers, and imaging devices like CRT, PET, and MRI machines.
- Sealing: Fluoropolymers are used in oil-less air compressor in stationary oxygen concentrator
- Fluid handling components (tubing, piping, fittings, valves, pumps, vessels, instrumentation) benefit from fluoropolymer coatings and linings, enabling integration, reduced contamination, and improved reliability.
- Filters utilize fluoropolymers for membranes and casings.
- Semiconductor equipment parts rely on fluoropolymers for heat resistance, UV resistance, and chemical and contamination resistance.
- Printed circuit boards utilize fluoropolymers for low dielectric constant, high heat and flame resistance, and stable conductivity due to low moisture absorbance.
- Cushioning or release films in semiconductor moldings use fluoropolymers for non-adhesiveness, heat resistance, and electrical properties.
- Cable and wire insulation benefit from fluoropolymers, enhancing signal quality and durability.
- Leaky feeder antennas utilize fluoropolymers for improved in-flight connectivity, low smoke generation, flame resistance, and durability.
- Aircraft interiors use fluoropolymers for flame retardancy, non-fouling properties, and easy cleaning.
- Aerospace materials, tapes, and gaskets rely on fluoropolymers for sealing and protection against aviation liquids and UV radiation.
- Electronic systems benefit from fluoropolymers for increased durability, heat and fire resistance, lower dielectric constants, and enhanced reliability of wires, optical cables, and data transmission cables.
Industrial Safety
- Deep well cable insulation benefits from their electrical resistance at high temperatures, providing better crosstalk shielding, corrosion inhibition, and extended cable field life.
- Chemical tank and container lining utilizes fluoropolymers to store and dispense ultrapure and aggressive process fluids.
- Bulk chemical distribution sensors rely on fluoropolymers for the delivery of critical processing chemicals from large bulk containers to use points in high-purity manufacturing.
Renewable Energy
- Wind turbines benefit from fluoropolymer paints and coatings on towers and blades, providing high weather resistance and extended service life.
- Solar installations utilize fluoropolymer coatings for protection against harsh environmental conditions, electrical insulation in wiring, and increasing the lifespan of solar panels by up to 25 years.
- Energy storage systems, including lithium-ion batteries and PEM fuel cells, rely on fluoropolymers as essential components, supporting the growth of renewable energy.
Fluoropolymers will serve as critical enablers for upcoming advancements, including but not limited to 5G technology, clean hydrogen solutions, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and artificial intelligence. These remarkable materials will provide the necessary foundations and capabilities to drive innovation in these areas, propelling us towards a future defined by cutting-edge possibilities and unprecedented progress.
Fluoropolymers do not fall into the categories of ‘short-chain’ or ‘long-chain’ chemistries. Instead, they are classified as polymers of low concern due to their inherent stability in the environment and lack of degradation. These polymers are incapable of dissolving or contaminating water, preventing their entry into or accumulation within a person’s bloodstream. As a result, fluoropolymers do not pose substantial risks to human health or the environment. They are not bio-available, toxic, or mobile, further supporting their classification as polymers of low concern. By satisfying the criteria set forth by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), fluoropolymers are recognized as materials that do not present significant toxicity concerns and do not degrade into other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Conclusion-IS PTFE A PFAS, should it be banned?
All PFAS are not the same. Each should be treated differently. PTFE unique combination of properties set them apart from other chemistries and make them vital to the sectors and industries they serve and broader society. Umbrella legislation or regulation against all PFAS could end the use of PTFE. The entire industry and the entire value chain, including the Automotive, Medical Device, Electronics, Aerospace and many more OEMs needs to keep talking to the ECHA and the European Authorities to avoid that fluorinated polymers will be banned.
Fluoropolymers should not be classified as PFAS.
