ETFE Tefzel: Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene High-Strength Copolymer Properties
Published: 2026-05-30
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), best known by Chemours' trade name Tefzel, is a partially fluorinated copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene that occupies a unique position in the fluoropolymer family: it offers approximately 2× the...
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), best known by Chemours' trade name Tefzel, is a partially fluorinated copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene that occupies a unique position in the fluoropolymer family: it offers approximately 2× the tensile strength (45 MPa) and significantly higher impact resistance than fully fluorinated PTFE or PFA, while retaining excellent chemical resistance (superior to most non-fluorinated polymers, though not as universal as PTFE/PFA). The ethylene comonomer introduces hydrogen atoms into the otherwise fully fluorinated backbone, breaking up the crystallinity and providing a tougher, lighter, and more processable material at the tradeoff of reduced upper service temperature (150°C vs 260°C for PTFE/PFA) and slightly reduced chemical resistance.
ETFE is most famous for its architectural application as transparent membrane roofing—the Eden Project biomes in the UK, the Beijing National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), and Allianz Arena in Munich all use ETFE film cushions. In industrial applications, ETFE is widely used for rotomolded chemical storage tanks, wire and cable jacketing for aerospace (high strength-to-weight, radiation crosslinkable for improved temperature rating), and chemical process vessel linings. ETFE can be processed by conventional injection molding, extrusion, and rotomolding at melt temperatures of 290-340°C. Unlike PTFE, ETFE can be radiation crosslinked to improve its high-temperature creep resistance and abrasion resistance—crosslinked ETFE wire insulation is the standard for aerospace hookup wire (MIL-W-22759 specification).
Technical Properties
| Density | 1.70 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45 MPa |
| Melting Point | 260 °C |
| Shrinkage Rate | 2.0-3.0% |
| Flexural Modulus | 1.2 GPa |
| Hdt | 75 °C at 1.82 MPa |
| Continuous Service Temp | 150 °C |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| Chemours Tefzel | |
| Dyneon ETFE | |
| Daikin Neoflon ETFE |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the practical differences between ETFE and PTFE for wire and cable insulation?
ETFE dominates aerospace and mass-transit wire insulation for three reasons: (1) Mechanical toughness—ETFE's tensile strength (45 MPa) is approximately 2× PTFE's (25 MPa) and its abrasion resistance is far superior, critical for wire bundles subject to vibration. (2) Weight—ETFE's density (1.70 g/cm³) is 23% lower than PTFE (2.20 g/cm³), saving kilograms on aircraft wiring harnesses. (3) Radiation crosslinking—ETFE can be crosslinked via electron beam irradiation, raising its continuous service temperature from 150°C to 200°C and dramatically improving cut-through resistance. PTFE cannot be crosslinked—it chain-scissions (degrades) under radiation. PTFE is still preferred for high-frequency (RF/microwave) coaxial cables where its lower dielectric constant (2.1 vs 2.6 for ETFE) and lower dissipation factor (0.0002 vs 0.005) matter.
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References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org