FluoroResist has excellent resistance to degradation by heat, high-energy radiation, and weathering. It can tolerate temperatures in the 150ºC (300ºF) range for extended periods and ranks among the most radiation-resistant of polymers.
Discoloration
FluoroResist
turns from a light tan to a dark brown color when aged for extended periods at
the temperature indicated above.
Weathering
Resistance
FluoroResist undergoes very little change in properties or
appearance upon outdoor exposure to sunlight. Accelerated weathering studies
likewise demonstrate the remarkable stability of the polymer. This is
particularly evident in the elongation at break, which is a good indication of
polymer degradation. Even after exposure of 1000 hours in a xenon-arc
Weather-O-Meter, this critical property is barely affected.
Stress-Cracking
Temperature
Parts made from ECTFE resin may crack under stress at
elevated temperature. This phenomenon can be observed by utilizing Fed. Spec.
L-P-390C Class H, a test produce originally designed for polyethylene. In this
test, 1/4 inch wide strips of 50 mil thick sheet are wrapped around a 1/4 inch
diameter mandrel and exposed to various temperatures in forced-draft ovens. The
calculated strain (elongation) of the strip wrapped on the 1/4 inch diameter
mandrel is about 16 percent.