Solef

Solef® PVDF
Design & Processing Guide

SPECIALTY
POLYMERS
2 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide
 Table of Contents

Chemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Solubility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Composition and Principle Optical Properties – Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . 24

of Polymerization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Refractive Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Copolymers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 UV, Visible and IR Absorption Spectra . . . . . . . . 24

Transparency, Haze, Gloss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Purity of the Resin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Mechanical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Comparison to Other Fluoropolymers . . . . . . . 8
Short-Term Stresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Physical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Tensile Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Structural Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Flexural Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Molecular Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Compressive Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Crystalline Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Long-Term Static Stress – Creep . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Rheological properties Melt Flow Index (MFI) . . . . . . 11
Creep Under Tensile Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Melt Viscosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Tests on Pipe – Direct Bursting Resistance to
Thermophysical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Maximum Rising Pressure (Short-term) . . . . . . . . 29

DSC Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tests on Pipe – Bursting Resistance

to Long-Term Static Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Thermophysical Data by DSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Tests on Pipe – Long-term Hoop Stress
Softening Temperatures Using IPT Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) . . . . . . . . . . . 16
VICAT Softening Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dynamic Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Specific Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Alternating Low Amplitude, Short-term Stresses
– DMTA (Dynamic Modulus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Thermal Conductivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Alternating Long-term Stresses –
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion . . . . . . . 18 Fatigue Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Fatigue on Notched Specimens –
Specific Volume – pvT Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Critical Stress Intensity Factor KIC . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) . . . . . . . . . . 20 Impact Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Short-term thermal stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Izod Flexural Impact Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Surface Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Charpy Flexural Impact Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Angle of Contact and Surface Tension . . . . . . . . 20 Brittleness Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Hardness Shore hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Multiaxial Impact Tests
Ball Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 – Instrumented Dart Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Rockwell Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Resistance to Impact and Tearing on Films . . . . . 40

Roughness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Reprocessing Effects on

Atomic Force Microscopy Topographic Images of
Solef® PVDF Pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Mechanical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Coefficient of Friction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Electrical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Abrasion Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide /3

 General Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Resistance to Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
UL 94 Flammability Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Volume and Surface Resistivities . . . . . . . . . . 41
Limiting Oxygen Index – LOI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Dielectric Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Flame Spread in UL 723
“Steiner Tunnel Test” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Dielectric Constant and Tangent UL 910 Modified Steiner Tunnel Test . . . . . . . . . . 54
of Loss Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Epiradiator Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Comparative Tracking Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Smoke Emission – NBS Chamber Test . . . . . . . . . 54

Piezo- and Pyroelectricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Safety, Hygiene, Health Effects . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Environmental Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Toxicity of Decomposition Products . . . . . . . . 55

Chemical Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Comparison with Other Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Food Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Chemical Resistance of National Water Contact Standards . . . . . . . . . . . 56
New Solef ® Copolymer Developed
Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
for the Oil and Gas Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Permeability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 National Sanitation Foundation
Water Absorption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 (NSF International) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Permeability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 NSF Standard 51 –

Food Equipment Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Water Permeability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
NSF Standard 61 – Drinking Water System
Water Vapor Permeability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Components – Health Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Permeability to Liquids and Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Medical Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Thermal Aging Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Processing Basics and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Maximum Continuous Use Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
General Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Weathering Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Handling and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Artificial Aging Using Weather-O-Meter
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Extruder Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Artificial Aging Using Xenon-Arc Weather-O- Head – Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Meter and Water Exposure in Accordance with
the UL 746C Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Operating the Extruder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Accelerated Tests, Using Q-U-V Equipment . . . . 51 Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Accelerated Natural Aging Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Temperature Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Natural Aging in Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Stopping – Restarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Resistance to High Energy Radiation . . . . . . . 52

4 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Recommendations for Tube Extrusion . . . . . . 58

General Recommendations
for Other Types of Extrusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Films, Sheets, Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Filaments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Recommendations for
Injection Molding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Equipment Plasticizing Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Nozzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Processing Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
General Recommendations Temperature . . . . . . 59
Shot Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Holding Phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Shrinkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Annealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Recommendations for Compression and

Transfer Molding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
General Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Process Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
First Step: Heating and Melting the Granules . . . 60
Melting inside the mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Melting outside the mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Second Step: Molten Cake Compression . . . . . . 60
Melting inside the mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Melting outside the mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Third Step: Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Equipment Required – Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Equipment Required – Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Equipment Required – Oven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Machining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Hot air welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Butt welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide /5

6 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide
 Chemistry

Composition and Principle and crystallinity ratio are higher than those of the
homopolymers with the same average molecular weights
of Polymerization
obtained by emulsion polymerization. Both polymerization
PVDF is obtained by the polymerization of vinylidene
processes are used by Solvay Specialty Polymers to make
fluoride, and corresponds to the following chemical
Solef ® PVDF, depending on the specific grades.
formula:
H F Solef ® PVDF homopolymers contain 59 % fluorine.
C C The bond between this element, which is highly
electronegative, and the carbon atom is extremely strong
H F
n (dissociation energy of 460 kJ/mol).
The PVDF homopolymers on the market are polymerized
according to two main processes (Table 1): Copolymers
• The suspension process to produce “S-PVDF” In addition to the PVDF homopolymers, which are
or type II PVDF according to the ASTM D3222 recognized worldwide for their excellent performance in
standard a variety of applications, Solvay Specialty Polymers has
developed a wide range of VF2-HFP copolymers, and
• The emulsion process to produce “E-PVDF” or type I
VF2-CTFE copolymers to respond to specific needs of the
PVDF according to the ASTM D3222 standard.
market.
The suspension polymerization process leads to polymers
As a result of the Solvay Specialty Polymers
with fewer structural defects (“head-to-head” or reverse
manufacturing flexibility, PVDF can be tailored to meet a
monomer additions) in the molecular chains, i.e. polymers
wide range of other property requirements.
which are more crystalline. Thus the melting temperature

Table 1: Characteristics of PVDFs on the market according to ASTM D3222 standard

Type I Type I Type II

Average Properties Units Class 1 Class 2
Density g/cm3 1.75 – 1.79 1.75 – 1.79 1.76 – 1.79
Melting temperature (1)
°C 156 – 162 162 – 170 164 – 180
Apparent melt viscosity (2)

High viscosity Pa·s 2,800 – 3,800 2,800 – 3,100 1,300 – 2,500

Average viscosity Pa·s 2,300 – 2,800 1,300 – 2,800 1,300 – 2,500
Low viscosity Pa·s – 500 – 1,300 500 – 1,300

(1)
According to the ASTM D3418 standard: + / – 1 mg, from 20 to 200 °C at 10 °C/min Tf = peak of the endothermic curve
(2)
According to the ASTM D3835 standard: T ° =  232 °C, a = 60 °, L/D = 15, g = 100 s-1 (capillary rheometer)

Purity of the Resin any possible cross-contamination. Pipes and equipment

manufactured from these grades meet the most severe
Solef® PVDF resins are extremely pure polymers and,
requirements of the semi-conductor industry. For
unlike many other plastics, they do not require use of
instance, they easily comply with SEMI F-57 specification
stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants or flame-retardant
and they are capable of maintaining a level of resistivity of
additives. Thanks to their chemical inertness and to the
ultra-pure de-ionized water higher than 18 MΩ·cm.
virtual absence of released contaminations, natural Solef®
PVDF resins are ideal materials for distribution of ultra- Table 2 shows the results of extraction tests carried out
pure water and other chemically pure fluids used in the with Solef® PVDF: after 7 day exposure to hot de-ionized
semi-conductor industry. High-purity Solef® PVDF grades water the concentration of all substances in water was
are based on 100 % pure polymer without any added below the detection limit.
substance and are produced in a dedicated line to prevent

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide /7

 Table 2: Ultra-pure water extraction data from Comparison to Other Fluoropolymers
Solef® PVDF pellets Table 3 presents a comparison of various properties of
Detected Amount Detection Limit fluorinated polymers and PVDF.
Parameter [μg /liter or ppb] [μg /liter or ppb] While the perfluorinated polymers have a chemical
Aluminum * 0.10 resistance to a wider range of aggressive environments,
Barium * 0.002 their mechanical properties are inferior to those of PVDF.
Boron * 0.31 PVDF embodies an excellent compromise among general
properties, combined with very easy processing and an
Calcium * 0.10
advantageous quality-price ratio.
Chromium * 0.003
PVDF resin is characterized by a melting temperature
Copper * 0.004
which is significantly lower than that of the perfluorinated
Iron * 0.025 polymers. However, the mechanical properties (in
Lead * 0.025 particular the creep strength) of PVDF are superior in
Lithium * 0.003 the temperature range between – 20 and 150 °C (– 4 and
302 °F). Table 4 illustrates this at 23 °C (73.4 °F).
Magnesium * 0.02
Manganese * 0.002 In addition, the pressure resistance of Solef ® PVDF pipes
is superior to that of other polymers, as shown in Figure 1.
Nickel * 0.07
Conditions: Soak time: 7 days; Temperature: 85 °C (185 °F);
Potassium * 0.22 Polymer to water ratio: 10 g/l; Pre-cleaning according to SEMI
F40. Analytical method: ICPMS
Sodium * 0.25
Strontium * 0.002
Zinc * 0.015
* = below the detection limit

Table 3: PVDF and the other fluorinated polymers

PVDF
Average Properties Units Homopolymer PTFE FEP PFA ETFE ECTFE
3
Density g/cm 1.78 2.17 2.15 2.15 1.72 1.68
Melting point ° C 160 – 172 330 270 305 – 242
° F 320 – 342 626 518 581 – 468
Tensile properties at 23 °C (73 °F)
Yield strength MPa 45 – 55 10 12 16 25 30
psi 6,500 – 8,000 1,450 1,700 2,300 3,600 4,300
Stress at break MPa 40 30 22 30 40 54
psi 5,800 4,300 3,200 4,300 5,800 7,800
Elongation at break % 20  – 100 350 300 300 250 250
Modulus of elasticity MPa 1,300 – 2,200 750 550 500 1,000 1,655
kpsi 190 – 320 109 80 72.5 145 240
Shore D hardness – 78 57 57 62 68 75
Deflection temperature ° C 110 – 88 56 54 50 70 65
under load of 1.82 MPa (264 psi) ° F 230 – 190 133 129 122 158 149
Thermal conductivity W m-1·K -1 0.20 0.25 0.2 0.22 0.20 0.2
Coefficient of linear 
K -1·10-6 120 – 140 130 110 120 90 100
thermal expansion
Volume resistivity ohm·cm ≥ 1014 1018 1018 1017 1014 1016

8 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Table 4: Comparison of tensile creep characteristics of fluoropolymers at 23 °C (73.4 °F)

Material Stress [MPa (psi)] 100 Hours Total Strain [%] 1,000 Hours Total Strain [%]
Solef 1010 ®
4 (580) 0.3 0.4
8 (1,160) 0.7 0.9
12 (1,740) 1.1 1.4
Halar ECTFE ®
4 (580) 0.3 0.3
8 (1,160) 0.7 0.8
12 (1,740) 1.2 1.4
FEP 4 (580) 0.9 1.0
8 (1,160) 3.3 3.8
12 (1,740) > 40 Fail – full yield
Hyflon PFA ®
4 (580) 1.2 1.3
8 (1,160) 4.7 5.3
12 (1,740) 39 52
PTFE 4 (580) 1 Fail – full yield
8 (1,160) 10 Fail – full yield
12 (1,740) Fail – full yield Fail – full yield

ASTM D2990, Compression molded plates, 3 mm thick

Figure 1: Bursting resistance of pipes made of

various fluorinated and non fluorinated polymers
(at 23 °C/73.4 °F and 100 °C/212 °F)

50 7,250
Solef (23°C/73.4°F)
®

20 2,900
Solef® (100°C/212°F)
Hoop stress [MPa]

10 PFA (23°C/73.4°F) 1,450

[psi]

PFA (100°C/212°F)

5 ECTFE 725
(100°C/212°F)

Polybutene - I
(100°C/212°F)
2 290

PP (100°C/212°F)

ABS (100°C/212°F)
1 145
102 5·102 103 5·103 104 5·104 105
Time to break [h]

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide /9

 Physical Properties

Structural Properties Depending on processing conditions, several crystalline

forms can be observed, the most important of which
Molecular Weight are designated by α, b and γ (or II, I and III, respectively).
Table 5 below presents several characteristics of the Phase α is the most commonly produced phase however
molecular structure of various grades of Solef ® PVDF this depends on certain processing or post-treatment
homopolymer and copolymer resins. parameters.

Crystalline Structure Figure 2 is a scheme of the various crystalline phases of

The PVDF homopolymer is a strongly crystalline resin; PVDF which are obtained from the melted polymer or from
while nearly transparent in the melting phase, it becomes a solution, and the modes of crystallization and/or (post-)
translucent after crystallization. treatment necessary to obtain them. These treatments
are sometimes severe and generally do not correspond to
conventional processing conditions.

Table 5: Molecular weights of Solef ® PVDF resins measured by Gel Permeation Chromatography

Number Average Molecular Weight Average Molecular Polydispersity Index

Grades Weight [Mn· 10-3] Weight [Mw· 10-3] [UN]
Homopolymers
Solef® 1008 114 244 2.1
Solef 1010
®
153 352 2.3
Solef 1012
®
180 396 2.2
Solef 1015
®
238 573 2.4
Copolymers
Solef® 11008 127 268 2.1
Solef® 21508 132 240 1.8
Solef® 31508 149 274 1.8

Figure 2: Various crystalline phases and modes of crystallization of PVDF (A. Lovinger)

Crystallization at high temperature

or under high shear
Melted polymer Crystallization
Normal
under high pressure
crystallization Epitaxial
growth on KBr
Cold drawing
TGTG' TTT
(or phase ) (or phase )
Annealing under high pressure

High-temperature Drawing
long term annealing
TTTGTTTG'
(or phase )

DMF, DMSO
(T < 100°C)
Polymer in solution

10 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

In most cases, PVDF consists (in addition to an crystallization in solid phase. Crystallinity is higher when
amorphous phase) of crystalline phase α, in the form of the material is cooled more gradually, and above all when
spherulites containing a very low fraction (often none) of it is subjected to an annealing treatment at high
phase γ. temperature.

Nevertheless, during drawing of films under special To develop an optimal crystallinity level which is stable
conditions, the form β is largely favored by molecular over time and reduce internal stresses, it is useful after
orientation. The films obtained are transparent and exhibit processing to perform an annealing at a temperature
piezo- and pyro-electric properties, which are increased of 150 °C (302 °F) during 30 min/cm (75 min/in) of wall
by polarization under an electric field applied in the thickness, followed by a slow cooling.
direction of thickness.
Please contact Solvay Specialty Polymers for more details
Given the tremendous ease with which it crystallizes, about the annealing procedure.
PVDF homopolymer retains a high crystallinity level
(above 50 %) whatever the thermal treatment to which it Rheological properties Melt Flow Index (MFI)
is subjected during processing and any possible post- (ASTM D1238, DIN 53 735)
treatments. In addition, crystallinity increases significantly Table 6 presents typical values at 230 °C (446 °F) for
in the first days after processing (around 7 days), and various Solef® PVDF grades.
stabilizes completely after 20 to 30 days by post-

Table 6: Average MFls at 230 °C (446 °F) under different loads

Average Melt Flow Indices (MFI)

at 230 °C (446 °F) in g/10 min Under a Load of
Grades 2.16 kg 5 kg 10 kg
Solef ® PVDF resins
1006 40 – –
1008, 6008, 9009, 11008, 21508 8 24 –
31508 5 15 –
1010, 6010, 11010, 21510 2 6 18
1012, 6012 0.5 1.5 5
460 – 0.6 2.6
60512 – 1 3
Solef PVDF compounds
®

3108/0903 1.5 4.5 13.5

3208/0150 8 24 –
8808/0902 3 9 24

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 11

 Figure 3 represents, for Solef® PVDF homo- and Figure 3: Relation between MFIs at 5 and 2.16 kg
copolymer resins, the existing correlations between the and between MFIs at 10 and 5 kg
MFIs under 5 kg and under 2.16 kg, as well as the MFIs
100
under 10 kg and under 5 kg (at 230 °C/446 °F).

Melt Viscosity 50

Figures 4 through 7 give the apparent viscosities η of

various Solef® grades as a function of the shear rate γ (s-1).

MFI (5 kg) – MFI (10 kg)

T = 230°C (446°F)

Figure 8 gives the variation of the apparent viscosity at

γ = 100 s-1 vs. temperature for several homo- and 10
copolymer grades.
5

1
0.1 0.5 1.0 5 10 50 100
MFI (2.16 kg) – MFI (5 kg)

Figure 4: Melt viscosity at 220 °C (428 °F) Figure 5: Melt viscosity at 200 °C (392 °F)
of various Solef ® PVDF copolymers grades of the 1000 series Solef ® PVDFs
10,000 100 50,000 500

5,000 50 1012
Apparent melt viscosity [Pa·s]

60512 10,000 100

Apparent melt viscosity [Pa·s]

1010
5,000 50
1008
31508
[kpoises]

10

[kpoises]
1,000
11008
500 5 1,000 10
1006
500 5

100 1 100 1
1 5 10 50 100 500 1,000 1 5 10 50 100 500 1,000
Shear rate [s-1] Shear rate [s-1]

12 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Figure 6: Melt viscosity of Solef ® 1010 Figure 7: Melt viscosity of Solef ® 11008
at various temperatures at various temperatures
10,000 100
5,000 50

5,000 50
Apparent melt viscosity [Pa·s]

Apparent melt viscosity [Pa·s]

190°C (374°F)
1,000 10
200°C (392°F)

[kpoises]

[kpoises]
1,000 10
500 5

220°C (428°F)
500 5 200°C (392°F)
240°C (464°F) 220°C (428°F)
240°C (464°F)

100 1
260°C (500°F)

100 1 50 0.5
10 50 100 500 1,000 5,000 10,000 10 50 100 500 1,000 5,000 10,000
Shear rate [s-1] Shear rate [s-1]

Figure 8: Melt viscosity at 100 s-1 of various Solef ® PVDF grades vs. temperature
10,000 100

5,000 50
Condition:
Apparent melt viscosity [Pa·s]

Shear rate: 1012

.
= 100 s–1
1010
11010

[kpoises]
1008
1,000 60512 10

1006
31508
500 5
11008

100 1
150 200 250 300
(302) (392) (482) (572)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 13

 Thermophysical Properties
DSC Curves Figure 9 illustrates the relative heat flux curves as a
The crystalline melting temperatures and corresponding function of the temperatures obtained in DSC of Solef®
heats of fusion ΔHf of Solef® PVDF resins, recorded by PVDF grade 1010 during a first heating up to 250 °C
DSC under defined operating conditions (ASTM D3418), (482 °F), a cooling down to room temperature, and a
are presented in Table 7. second heating above the melting zone.

Table 7: Thermophysical data recorded by DSC

Melting Temperature Tf Heat of Fusion ΔHf Calculated Rate of

Grades [°C (°F)] [J/g (Btu/lb)] Crystallinity [%]
Solef ® PVDF homopolymers
1000 and 6000 series 171 – 172 (340 – 342) 59 – 64 (25 – 28) 56 – 61
9009 162 – 168 (324 – 334) 53 – 60 (22 – 26) 52 – 55
460 160 (320) 46 (20) 44
Solef PVDF copolymers ®

11008 and 11010 160 (320) 37 – 39 (16 – 17) –

21510 135 (275) 23 (9.9) –
31508 168 (334) 26 (11.2) –
60512 171 (340) 51 (22) –

Conditions: Samples taken from pellets: weight of 15 ± 1 mg Measurements by DSC performed during the second heating (first heating
to 250 °C/482 °F), rate of heating: 10 K/min ∆Hf measured between 80 °C (176 °F) and 2 to 3 °C (4 to 5 °F) higher than the end of the
melting phases

Figure 9: DSC curves of Solef® 1010

Conditions:
172.0 °C (342 °F)
Solef ® 1010 – Weight: 15 mg
Heating or cooling rate: 10°K/min

2nd heating
Relative heat flux [5 mW/cm]

63 J/g

– 57.5 J/g

1st cooling

173.0 °C (343 °F)

139.5 °C (238 °F)

1st heating

57.5 J/g

20 60 100 140 180 220

(68) (140) (212) (284) (356) (428)

Temperature [°C (°F)]

14 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 By way of comparison, the rate of crystallinity of Solef® Figure 10: Rate of crystallinity measured by DSC
PVDF homopolymers and copolymers, measured by and X-ray diffraction
X-ray diffraction, are shown in Figure 10. The rate of
70
crystallinity is calculated in comparison to an assumed
“100 % crystalline” PVDF whose heat of fusion (obtained DSC
60
by extrapolation of measurements relating to increasing X-ray diffraction

Rate of crystallinity [%]

crystallinity levels) is estimated at 105 J/g (45.1 Btu/lb). 50

40

30

20

10

0
1010 11010 21508 31508

Thermophysical Data by DSC

Figure 11: Incidence of cooling rate on Figure 12: Variation of crystallization half-time
crystallization temperature recorded by DSC as a function of temperature (isothermal)
(non-isothermal crystallization)
100 10

80 8
Crystallization half-time [min]
Cooling rate [°C/min]

60 6

40 4

20 2

0 0
110 120 130 140 150 145 150 155 160
(230) (248) (266) (284) (302) (293) (302) (311) (320)
Crystallization temperature [°C (°F)] Crystallization temperature [°C (°F)]

Conditions: Conditions: Solef ® 1010, Examination under polarizing

Solef ® 1010 microscope oft he growth of the spherulites
• Pre-treatment: melting 5 min at 250°C (482°F)
• Non-isothermal crystallization Thermal treatment of the sample:
• Melting 5 min at 250°C (482°F)
• Quenching at the rate of 80°C/min until the chosen
crystallization temperature Tc
• Isothermal crystallization at temperature Tc

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 15

 Figure 13: HDT of various Solef ® PVDF grades Figure 14: VICAT softening temperature
(5 kg/11.0 lb) of various Solef ® PVDF grades
Conditions: Annealed compression moulded plates Conditions: Annealed compression moulded plates
* Injection molded specimens * Injection molded specimens
HDT HDT VICAT temperature
under 0.46 MPa [66.7 psi] under 1.82 MPa [264 psi] under 5 kg
°F °C °F °C °F °C
338 170 8808/0902* 338 170 338 170 8808/0902*
3108/0903 8808/0902* 3108/0903
302 150 1008 302 150 1008
302 150
1010 1010
1012 1012 and 3208/0150
6010 6010
266 130 3108/0903 266 130
260 127 60512
1008
460 60512
1010
230 110 230 110 230 110
1012
11010
6010 11010
11008
194 90 11008
190 88 194 90
460

158 70 158 70 60512 156 70

21508 21508
11010
122 50 31508 122 50 11008 122 50
31508
21508
86 30 86 30 31508 86 30

Softening Temperatures Specific Heat

Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) The specific heat Cp measured by adiabatic calorimetry,
(ASTM D648) varies as a function of the temperature. It is presented in
The heat deflection temperature under load (HDT) Figure 15 for Solef ® 1010, 11008 and 31508.
indicates the short-term thermal behavior of a material
Cp increases slightly between 20 and 130 °C (68 and
under load. It is determined under a flexural stress of
266 °F). Beyond this temperature, the value of Cp presents
either 1.82 MPa (264 psi) or 0.46 MPa (66.7 psi).
a peak corresponding to the melting zone which becomes
Figure 13 presents the HDT values of various Solef ® PVDF sharper as the resin is more crystalline. Beyond this zone,
grades. the variation of Cp is analogous to that recorded in the
vicinity of room temperature.
VICAT Softening Temperature
(ISO 306) Outside the crystalline melting zone, Cp varies
approximately linearly from 1.2 J/g·K (0.29 Btu/lb·°F)
Like HDT, the VICAT softening temperature is also a short-
at 20 °C (68 °F) to 1.8 J/g·K (0.43 Btu/lb·°F) at 130 °C
term thermal behavior index of a material under a point
(266 °F), whatever the resin. It varies from 1.4 to 1.7 J/g·K
load of 1 or 5 kg (2.2 or 11.0 lb).
(0.33 to 0.41 Btu/lb·°F) at 200 °C (392 °F) depending on
Figure 14 presents the VICAT softening temperature the type of resin.
(5 kg/11.0 lb) for various Solef® PVDF grades.

16 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Figure 15: Specific heat of Solef ® PVDF vs. temperature
4 0.96
Condition:
1010
Rate of heating: 20 K/min

3 0.72
Specific heat [J/g·K]

[Btu/lb·°F]
11008
2 0.48

31508

1 0.24

0 0
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
(32) (77) (122) (167) (212) (257) (302) (347) (392)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Thermal Conductivity Table 8: Thermal conductivity of Solef® PVDF

The thermal conductivity λ of Solef ® 1010 was Thermal Conductivity λ
measured as a function of the temperature, using the Grades [W/m·K (Btu·in/h·ft2·°F)]
heating wire method (ASTM D2326-70). It is presented in PVDF homopolymers
Figure 16.
Solef® 1000 and 6000 series 0.20 (1.39)
At 20 and 200 °C (68 and 392 °F) λ is respectively 0.20 Solef 460
®
0.19 (1.32)
and 0.14 W/m·K (1.39 and 0.97 Btu·in/h·ft2 ·°F).
PVDF copolymers
Table 8 brings together the values of λ at 20 °C (68 °F) for
various Solef ® PVDF resins and compounds. Solef® 11010 0.19 (1.32)
Solef 21508
®
0.18 (1.25)
Solef 31508
®
0.18 (1.25)
Solef 60512
®
0.20 (1.39)
PVDF compounds
Solef® 3108/0903 0.30 (2.08)
Solef® 3208/0150 0.20 (1.39)
Solef® 8808/0902 0.33 (2.29)

Figure 16: Thermal conductivity of Solef ® 1010

[W/m·K]

0.3 2.07
[Btu·in/h·ft2·°F]
Thermal conductivity

0.2 1.39

0.1 0.69

0 0
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250
(32) (77) (122) (167) (212) (257) (302) (347) (392) (437) (482)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 17

 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion Figure 17 presents the thermal expansion curves for
(ASTM D696) Solef ® 1010 and 11010 grades and gives the values of α in
The coefficient of linear thermal expansion α of Solef ® these temperature ranges.
PVDF was measured by thermal analysis TMA over a wide In addition, Table 9 brings together the values of α for
range of temperatures, from – 40 °C (– 40 °F) up to the various Solef® PVDF grades.
maximum service temperature. The procedure consisted
of a measurement of relative length of the specimen under
a temperature increasing. The average coefficient α was
determined in two temperature ranges:
α (20 °C/68 °F): from 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)
α (120 °C/248 °F): from 100 to 140 °C (212 to 284 °F)

Figure 17: Thermal expansion curve of Solef ® PVDF measured by TMA

3 = 3.7·10-4/K
Relative length [%]

= 3.0·10-4/K
2
11010

=1.8 ·10-4/K
1 1010

0 =1.4·10-4/K

-1

–40 – 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

(– 40) (– 4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (360)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Conditions: Annealed compression moulded plates, Heating rate: 10 K/min

Coefficient a determined
– between 0 and 40°C (32 and 104°F)
– between 100 and 140°C (212 and 284°F)

Table 9: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion for Solef ® PVDF

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion [10 –4/K (10 –4/°F)]

Grades at 20 °C (68 °F), (0 to 40 °C/32 to 104 °F) at 120 °C (248 °F), (100 to 140 °C/212 to 284 °F)
Solef ® 1000 series 1.35 – 1.45 (0.75 – 0.81) 3.00 – 3.30 (1.67 – 1.83)
Solef ® 460 1.20 – 1.30 (0.67 – 0.72) –
Solef ® 11010 1.80 (1.0) 3.70 (2.06)
Solef ® 31508 1.40* (0.78)* –
Solef ® 60512 1.55* (0.86)* –
Compounds
Solef ® 3108/0903 1.30* (0.72)* –
Solef 3208/0150®
1.30* (0.72)* –
Solef 8808/0902®
0.80* (0.44)* –

* Measurements according to the ASTM D696 standard

18 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Density Table 10: Density at 23 °C (73.4 °F) of Solef ® PVDF
(ISO R 1183, ASTM D792) compounds
The density ρ (g/cm3) at room temperature of PVDF Grades Density [g/cm³]
homo- and copolymer resins is between 1.75 and 1.79,
3108/0903 1.83
whatever the grade. The density variation vs. temperature
is presented in Figure 18 for Solef ® 1010 homopolymer 3208/0150 1.80
and Solef® 31508 copolymer. Table 10 presents the 8808/0902 1.78
densities at 23 °C (73.4 °F) of filled or reinforced PVDF.

In addition, the bulk density of pellets, is between 0.94

and 1.00 g/cm3, whatever the grade of the resin.

Figure 18: Density of Solef ® PVDF vs. temperature

1.9

1.8
Density [g/cm3]

1.7
1010
31508
1.6

1.5

1.4
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
(32) (77) (122) (167) (212) (257) (257) (347) (392)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Specific Volume – pvT Curves cylindrical space, and then brought to fusion and finally
The specific volume v (cm /g) of Solef 1008 was 3 ® cooled under various pressures between 1 and 1,600
measured under different pressures as a function of bars.
temperature. The variation curves are presented in Figure 19. These curves are of special interest for injection molding,
This diagram (or pvT curves) is obtained by measuring the because they make it possible to optimize the holding
volume occupied by a mass of material introduced into a phase of the injection molding cycle.

Figure 19: pvT curves of Solef ® 1008

0.75

Pressure [bar]
1
0.70 200
400
Specific volume [cm3/g]

800
0.65 1,200
1,600

0.60

0.55

0.50
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
(32) (122) (212) (302) (392) (482) (572)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 19

 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Surface Properties
Short-term thermal stability Angle of Contact and Surface Tension
One method for evaluating the thermal stability of a The angle of contact θ of a drop of liquid on a material and
material is the thermogravimetric analysis. In this test, a the wetting surface tension γs give an indication about the
small sample of test material is heated while its weight is wettability of this material.
constantly monitored. The test is usually performed either
in an inert nitrogen atmosphere or in air. If the angle θ is small and the surface tension γs is high,
it means that the material is easily wettable. If the liquid is
Figure 20 shows the result of thermogravimetric analysis water, the surface is called “hydrophilic”. If the angle θ is
under air of Solef ® 1010 and 11010, performed at a large and the surface tension γs is low, the material is hard
heating rate of 8 °K/min. The curves for these two to wet and, in the case of water, is called “hydrophobic”.
products are very similar in first phases of decomposition Since the adherence to a material is linked to the value of its
and weight loss. surface tension γs, if this value is low the material presents
anti-adhesive characteristics. Table 11 gives the values of
Figure 20: Thermogravimetric analysis under air of the angle of contact θ for water and the surface tension of
Solef ® PVDF various polymers compared with those for PVDF.

0 Angle θ for PVDF is higher than 65 – 70°, which classes it

in the category of hydrophobic materials. The moderate
surface tension explains (among other things) its anti-fouling
Weight loss [g/kg]

and anti-staining characteristics.

500 Table 11: Angle of contact and surface tension of

PVDF and other thermoplastics (20 °C/68 °F)
1010
Weight loss of 1%: Angle of Surface Surface
– Solef ® 1010: 415°C (779°F) 11010 Contact q Tension gs Tension gc*
– Solef ® 11010: 410°C (770°F) Polymer (water) [Degrees] [mJ/m²] [mJ/m²]
1,000
0 100 200 300 400 600
PTFE 108 19 18
500
(212) (392) (572) (752) (932) (1,112)
PCTFE 84 31 31
Crystallization temperature [°C (°F)]
PVDF 80 34 25
Conditions: HD – PE 88 33 31
Heating rate: 8 K/min, Initial weight: 2 mg,
Under air, Quartz crucible PET 76 47 43
PA 6.6 72 47 46
The processing of PVDF resins is generally performed
Method for measuring gs: measurement of the static angle q for
at temperatures between 200 and 250 °C (392 and liquids with various dispersive and polar interactions; * Critical
482 °F), well below the decomposition temperature. It is surface tension gc (Zisman method): values taken from the
imperative not to exceed a temperature of 350 °C (662 °F), technical literature
above which the polymer rapidly decomposes (significant
Hardness Shore hardness
dehydrofluorination).
(ISO 868, ASTM D2240)
The decomposition of PVDF can be sharply accelerated Table 12 gives the Shore D hardness of various Solef ®
by the presence of certain contaminations, even in low PVDF grades.
quantities, such as light metals like boron, titanium, and
aluminum. (See section “Processing Basics and Safety”). Table 12: Shore D hardness of Solef ® PVDF
It is recommended to consult Solvay Specialty Polymers
before adding any fillers or pigments to PVDF. Grades Shore D Hardness
Solef PVDF resins
®

1008, 6008, 9009 and 460 78

6010 77
11010 72
31508/0003 53
60512 70
Solef ® PVDF compounds
3208/0150 78
3108/0903 and 8808/0902 82

20 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Ball Hardness Table 15: Average roughness of internal walls of
Ball hardness was measured on compression molded extruded Solef ® 1010 pipes and sheets
plates according to the DIN 53456 standard for Solef ®
Roughness Ra [μm]
1010 and 11008 grades (see Table 13).
Type of Object M* T*
Table 13: Ball hardness of Solef ® PVDF Pipe Ø = 63 mm (2.48 in) 0.08 0.06
Pipe Ø = 110 mm (4.33 in) 0.09 0.10
Hardness [N/mm²]
Extruded sheet
Grades (F = 132 N, after 30 s)
Thickness = 3 mm (0.12 in) 0.04 0.04
1010
Extruded sheet
as molded 58 0.08 0.19
Thickness = 10 mm (0.39 in)
annealed 59
* M: machine direction; T: transversal direction
11008
as molded 33
annealed 37
Atomic Force Microscopy Topographic Images of
Solef® PVDF Pipes
Rockwell Hardness D = 63 mm pipes.
(ASTM D785) Scanned surfaces: 50 μm × 50 μm and 5 μm × 5 μm.
Table 14 presents the Rockwell M and R hardness of
Solef ® 1010 and 11008, measured on compression
molded plates.

Table 14: Rockwell hardness of Solef ® PVDF µm

0.4
Rockwell Hardness
0.3
Grades M R
0.2
1010
as molded 68 109 0.1
annealed 69 110
11008 0.0
as molded 11 94
annealed 18 96

Roughness 0 20 40 µm
Surface quality strongly depends on processing
conditions. By optimizing the manufacturing process it is
possible to produce Solef ® PVDF sheets and pipes having
extremely low roughness.
A
Examples of Ra values (average of the distance of peaks 1,200
and valleys from the average surface level) measured on
various Solef ® PVDF items are reported in Table 15. 800

These roughness values match the very demanding

specifications of semiconductor producers who require 400
perfectly smooth surfaces in their installations for
transporting ultra-pure water and chemicals. 0.0

Even lower roughness values can be reached after careful

optimization of extrusion conditions, as shown below
in the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) pictures. By
numerical elaboration of the AFM scans roughness values 0 2 4 µm
as 0.032 μm for the 50 μm × 50 μm scan and 0.018 μm
for the 5 μm × 5 μm scan were calculated (average on 8
measurements).

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 21

 Coefficient of Friction Abrasion Resistance
(ASTM D1984) The abrasion resistance was determined using a TABER
The coefficient of friction is strongly influenced by abrasion test, which measures the wear of a material by
parameters such as surface roughness, sliding rate, friction on an abrasive substance. The specimen is fixed
contact pressure, lubrication, etc. to a turning plate and in contact with an abrasive disk
loaded with a weight of 9.81 N (2.21 lbf). The abrasion
According to the ASTM D1984 method, the coefficients µo
resistance is given by the weight lost of the specimen after
(static) and µ (dynamic) are evaluated under a load of 2 N
a certain number of revolutions.
(0.45 lbf) and a displacement rate of 150 mm/min.
Table 18 presents the results with PVDF in comparison
The values appear in Table 16. Given the importance of
with other materials. The tests were done after 1,000
the surface condition of the samples, variable according
revolutions, using “Calibrase CS-17 and CS-10” grinding
to their mode of production and their form (films, sheets,
wheels. According to the TABER test, PVDF behaves like
plates), these values are given in the form of a variation
an abrasion-resistant material comparable to polyamide 6.
range.
In addition, Table 19 presents the AKRON abrasion test, in
The Solef ® 3208/0150 grade was specially developed to
accordance with the BS 903 standard, performed on
lower the coefficient of friction and ensure a significantly
Solef ® PVDF in comparison with other materials.
lower variability of its value with respect to the surface
condition (see Table 17). It is particularly well-suited for the
production of ball valve housings.

Table 16: Coefficients of friction of Solef ® PVDF Table 18: Abrasion resistance of PVDF (AKRON test)

Friction Coefficient Materials Abrasion [% vol]

μo μ Solef® PVDF 0.18
Surfaces in Contact static dynamic NBR rubber 0.19
PVDF homopolymer 0.20 – 0.40 0.20 – 0.35 Rigid PVC 0.24
Tests on itself, on glass, on low carbon steel of roughness
PP 0.51
Ra = 0.06 µm, on rigid PVC

Table 17: Coefficient of friction of Solef ® 3208/0150 Table 19: Abrasion resistance of PVDF (TABER test)
grade
Abrasive Weight Loss
μo μ Materials Disk [mg/1000 rev.]
Surfaces in Contact static dynamic Solef ® PVDF CS – 10 5 – 10
Solef 3208/0150
®
< 0.20 < 0.20 homopolymers CS – 17 7 – 10

Tests on itself, on glass, on low carbon steel of roughness Solef ® 21508

CS – 10 5 – 8
Ra = 0.06 µm, on rigid PVC and 31508
PA 6 CS – 10 5
CS – 17 4 – 8
ECTFE CS – 10 13
CS – 17 25
PP (homopolymers) CS – 10 15 – 20
CS – 17 18 – 28
304 stainless steel CS – 10 50
PTFE CS – 10 500 – 1,000

22 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Solubility
Homopolymer PVDF swells in strongly polar solvents
such as acetone and ethyl acetate, and is soluble in
aprotic polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and
dimethylacetamide.

Table 20 presents several solubility results in various

solvents. The reported values are the maximum quantity
of resin that can be introduced into the solution without
formation of gel at 23 °C (73,4 °F).

Table 20: Solubility of Solef ® PVDF homo- and copolymer resins in various solvents at 23 °C (73.4 °F)
Solubility [g/kg of solvent]
Solvent Solef 1010
®
Solef ® 11010 Solef ® 21508
Acetone ~0 15 520
Methyl ethyl ketone < 10 < 10 430
Cyclohexanone < 10 < 10 < 10
Ethyl acetate < 10 < 10 < 10
g butyrolactone < 10 < 10 < 10
Dichloromethane < 10 < 10 –
Dimethylformamide 200 220 440
Dimethylacetamide 200 210 350
Tetrahydrofuran < 10 – 500
N-methylpyrrolidone 240 – 370
Acetone +
< 10 – 480
Tetrahydrofuran (1/1 vol)
Tetrahydrofuran +
230 – –
Dimethylformamide (1/1 vol)
Dimethylformamide +
260 270 –
Methyl ethyl ketone (38/62 vol)

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 23

 Optical Properties – Appearance Figure 21: Extinction coefficient vs. wavelength for
Solef PVDF are milky white, translucent polymers.
® Solef ® 1010
In thicknesses of less than 100 µm, they become 10
transparent when the crystallinity is lowered by water
quenching after melting. 5

[mm-1]
Refractive Index
The refractive index of Solef ® PVDF at 23 °C for 589 nm
light is:

Extinction coefficient
n = 1.42 for the homopolymer resins 1
n = 1.41 for the copolymer resins
0.5
UV, Visible and IR Absorption Spectra
Figure 21 presents the incident light extinction coefficient
as a function of wavelength (according to the Lambert-
Beer law) between 200 and 900 nm, in the case of
compression molded Solef ® 1010 plates from 1 to 4 mm 0.1

of thickness. 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Wavelength [nm]
In addition, the absorption spectra in the visible, UV and
IR ranges, evaluated on films, are given in Figures 22
Figure 22: Absorption spectra of Solef ® 1008 in UV
through 24.
and visible ranges – influence of thickness
Transparency, Haze, Gloss UV Visible
(ASTM D1746, ASTM D1003 and ASTM D2457) 100
The optical properties in white light are measured under
20 µm
various aspects: 80
• Total light transmission through the object
Transmittance [%]

45 µm
• Transparency or fraction of the transmitted light 60
deflected by more than 0.1° of solid angle
40
• Haze or fraction of the transmitted light deflected by 110 µm
more than 5° of solid angle
20
• Gloss or luminosity according to a given angle of 320 µm
reflection 0
200 400 600 800
Solef PVDF films have good optical properties, as
®
Wavelength [nm]
shown by Table 21. These characteristics depend on the
Conditions:
processing conditions, surface quality, etc., as well as the Film thickness: 20, 45, 110 and 320 µm
film thickness.

24 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Figure 23: IR-ATR spectrum of Solef ® 1008 homopolymer film (transmission)

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,500 1,000 500

Wave number [cm-1]

Figure 24: IR-ATR spectrum of Solef ® 11008 copolymer film (transmission)

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,500 1,000 500

Wave number [cm-1]

Table 21: Optical properties of Solef ® PVDF films vs. thickness

Thickness Total Light Transmission Transparency Haze Gloss at 45 °

[μm] [%] (in the Air) [%] (in the Air) [%] [%]
Solef ® 1008
12 (a) 97 79 1.3 59
20 (b)
97 80 10 41
45 (b)
96 29 23 30
110 (b) 95 40 36 35
320 (b) 91 6 64 20
Solef ® 1010
10 (c) 93 – 7 –
Solef 21510 ®

50 (c) 96 40 17 17
100 (c)
96 35 19 17

(a) Biaxially drawn film; (b) Uniaxially drawn film; (c) Extruded blown film

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 25

 Mechanical Properties

Short-Term Stresses Figure 25: Tensile curves for Solef ® 1008 at various
temperatures
Tensile Properties
100 14,500
(ASTM D638, DIN 53448) –40°C Conditions: Injection moulded plates
–40°F Type B specimens – DIN 53448
Tensile properties are determined by clamping a test Speed of testing: 50 mm/min
specimen into the jaws of a testing machine and 80 –20°C 11,600
–4°F

Tensile stress [MPa]

separating the jaws at a specified rate. The force required
0°C
to separate the jaws divided by the minimum cross- 60 –32°F 8,700

[psi]
sectional area is defined as the tensile stress. The test 23°C
specimen will elongate as a result of the stress, and the 73°F
40 50°C 5,800
amount of elongation divided by the original length is the 122°F
strain. If the applied stress is plotted against the resulting 100°C
strain, a curve similar to that shown for instance in Figure 20 212°F 2,900

25 is obtained for ductile polymers like PVDF. 140°C

284°F
0 0
The tensile tests make possible to measure the following
0 100 200 300 400
characteristics:
Elongation [%]
• Modulus of elasticity E (Young’s modulus)
• Stress (or strength) and elongation at yield Figure 26: Tensile yield strength of Solef ® PVDF vs.
temperature
• Stress (or strength) and elongation at break
Conditions:
The thermal history and processing technique influence 100 Type B specimens – DIN 53448, 14,500
Rate of pulling: 50 mm/min
the tensile characteristics.
Tensile yield strength [MPa]

1: Solef ® 1010, commercial extruded

75 sheets (M direction) 10,875
Apart from the characteristics cited above, the tensile test 2: Solef ® 1008, injection molded
also makes it possible to measure the Poisson’s ratio. specimens

[psi]
Poisson’s ratio is the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal 50 7,250

strain within the proportional limit. The following values

were obtained for Solef® 1010 grade: 25 3,625
1
• At 23 °C (73.4 °F) ν = 0.35 2
• At 100 °C (212 °F) ν = 0.50 0 0
–40 –20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
As an example, Figure 25 gives the overlay of the tensile (–40) (–4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (120) (248) (320)
curves recorded at various temperatures (between – 40 °C Temperature [°C (°F)]
(– 40 °F) and 140 °C (284 °F) on Solef ® 1008 specimens.
Figure 27: Elongation at yield and at break of
Notes: Between approximately 40 and 100 °C (104 and
Solef ® PVDF vs. temperature
212 °F), the strength at break can be superior to the yield
800 Conditions:
stress. This increasing of mechanical resistance results Type B specimens – DIN 53448,
700
from the orientation of molecular chains. Rate of pulling: 50 mm/min
1: Solef ® 1010, injection molded 1
600
Figures 26 and 27 present several tensile characteristics specimens (M direction)
500 2: Solef ® 1008, injection
for Solef ® 1010 as a function of temperature.
Elongation [%]

molded specimens 2
400
Notes: Tensile yield strength decreases steadily with the 300
increase of temperature. Elongation at yield increases 200 Break
gradually with the increase of temperature and Elongation
100
at break rises slightly until room temperature then rises
20
sharply above 30 °C (86 °F) 1
15
Yield
2
10
5
0
– 40 – 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
(– 40) (– 4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (320)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

26 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Figure 28 gives the tensile yield strength for Solef ® 1010, Figure 29 illustrates the variation of the Young’s modulus
11010, 60512 and 460 grades, and the strength at break as a function of the temperature for Solef ® 1010, 11010,
(no yield point) of Solef ® 8808/0902 compound in a 60512 460 resins, and for Solef ® 8808/0902 compound.
temperature range of 20 to 150 °C (68 to 302 °F).
Table 22 presents the tensile properties of extruded films
made of Solef ® 1010 and 11010 resins.

Figure 28: Tensile strength at yield or at break of PVDF vs. temperature

100 14,500
Solef 8808/0902
®
Tensile strength [MPa]

75 10,875
Solef ® 9009

[psi]
50 7,250
Solef ® 460 Solef ® 1010
Solef ® 60512
25 3,625
Solef ® 11010

0 0
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
(68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (320)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Figure 29: Young’s modulus of PVDF vs. temperature

10,000 14,500
Solef ® 8808/0902
5,000 7,250
Solef ® 1008 Solef ® 6010
Solef ® 9009
Young's modulus [MPa]

1,000 Solef ® 460 1,450

[psi·102]
500 725
Solef ® 31508
Solef ® 21508
Solef ® 1010
Solef ® 11010
100 145
Solef ® 60512
50 72.5
Measured in accordance with ASTM D638, Rate of pulling: 1 mm/min,
Solef ® 1010 and 11010: Compression moulded plates, Grade 8808/0902: Injection moulded specimens,
Grade 60512: Extruded pipes
1 1.45
–40 –20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
(– 40) (– 4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (320) (356)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Table 22: Tensile properties of Solef ® PVDF films

Stress at Yield Stress at Break Elongation at Break

[MPa (psi)] [MPa (psi)] [%]
Thickness
Grades of Film [μm] M T M T M T
1010 50 50.0 (7,265) 52.0 (7,540) 70.6 (10,237) 44.2 (6,409) 285 230
100 52.9 (7,671) 56.4 (8,178) 70.2 (10,179) 56.4 (7,410) 380 265
200 52.3 (7,584) 58.1 (8,425) 43.4 (6,279) 51.1 (5,858) 465 590
11010 50 32.8 (4,756) 29.7 (4,307) 66.9 (9,701) 46.7 (6,772) 435 535
100 31.6 (4,582) 32.2 (4,669) 63.2 (9,164) 49.4 (7,163) 610 560
200 32.2 (4,669) 34.4 (4,988) 56.9 (8,251) 44.0 (6,380) 675 580

Conditions: Films produced by extrusion with flat die and chill roll, Tensile measurement according to the ASTM D882 standard at
23 °C (73,4 °F), Rate of pulling: 500 mm/min, M: machine direction; T: transversal direction

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 27

 Flexural Properties The mechanical flexural characteristics of various Solef ®
(ASTM D790, DIN 53432) PVDF grades are presented in Figures 30 and 31.
Flexural properties were determined using the three-point Figure 31 presents ultimate flexural strength of various
loading method. In this method, the test specimen is Solef ® PVDF resins grades at temperatures of – 40 °C
supported on two points, while the load is applied to the (– 40 °F) and 23 °C (73.4 °F). Tests performed on annealed
center. The specimen is deflected until rupture occurs or compression molded plates, except for Solef ® 8808/0902:
the fiber strain reaches five percent. injection molded specimens.
Flexural testing provides information about a material’s
behavior in bending. In this test, the bar is simultaneously
subjected to tension and compression.

Figure 30: Flexural modulus of PVDF vs. temperature

10,000 1,450
8808/0902
5,000 725
3108/0903
1008
Flexural modulus [MPa]

9009

[kpsi]
6010
1,000 145
460

500 72.5
31508

21508 1010
11010

100 14.5
–40 –20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
(– 40) (– 4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284) (320) (356)
Temperature [°C (°F)]
Conditions:
Measured in accordance with ASTM D790 – Rate of bending: 1 mm/min
Solef ® 1008, 3108/0903, 11010, 31508/0003: Compression moulded plates
Solef ® 1010 and Solef ® 460: extruded sheets

Figure 31: Ultimate flexural strength of various Solef® PVDF grades

180 26.10
170
160 – 40°C 23.20
151
140 23°C
140 20.30
131
123
Stress [MPa]

120 17.40
112
[kpsi]

100 14.50
89
80 77 77 11.60

60 8.70

40 37 5.80

20 2.90

0 0.00
1010 6010 11010 8808/0902 3108/0903
Solef ® grades

28 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Compressive Properties Long-Term Static Stress – Creep
(ASTM D695)
Creep Under Tensile Stress
Compressive strength and modulus were measured on (ASTM D2990)
a test specimen placed between parallel plates. The
When a bar made of a polymeric material is continuously
distance between the plates is reduced while the load
exposed to a constant stress, its dimensions will change
required for pushing the plates together and the plate-to-
in response to the stress. This phenomenon is commonly
plate distance is monitored. The maximum stress endured
called “creep”. In the simplest case, the tensile mode, the
by the specimen (this will usually be the load at rupture)
test bar will elongate as a function of time under stress.
is the compressive strength, and the slope of the stress/
The term “strain” is used for the amount of length increase
strain curve is the compressive modulus.
or elongation divided by the initial length.
In compression the ultimate strength and elasticity
During characterization tests, models are used which are
modulus of Solef ® 1010 at 20 °C (68 °F) are 75 MPa (10.9
based on shorter term tests. The model developed by
kpsi) and 2,150 MPa (311 kpsi), respectively.
Solvay makes it possible to evaluate the stress-elongation
Figure 32 gives the compression modulus and the ultimate behavior in the area of very low strain rates and then
compressive strength of Solef ® 1010, 11010, 60512 resins generate long-term creep curves (strain vs. time) for
as well as Solef® 8808/0902 compound in temperature different stress levels (Figures 33 through 37).
range between – 40 °C and 125 °C (– 40 and 257 °F). These curves demonstrate that PVDF offers excellent
creep resistance, even at high temperatures.
Figure 32: Compression modulus and
Tests on Pipe – Direct Bursting Resistance to
ultimate compressive strength
Maximum Rising Pressure (Short-term)
of Solef ® PVDF vs. temperature
The internal pressure of liquids transported through
10,000 1,450
piping generates a biaxial stress against the wall of
60512
these pipes (when the pipe walls are thin). The theory
5,000 725 of elasticity demonstrates that, on the internal wall, the
Modulus
hoop (or tangential) stress σt is equal to twice the axial (or
8808/0902 longitudinal) stress. The bursting of a pipe thus generally
1010
occurs by axial cracking.

The stress σt is linked to the characteristics of the pipe

1,000 145
Modulus and stress [MPa]

and the pressure, in accordance with the relation (theory

11010
of elasticity applied to the pipes with low e/D ratio):
500 72.5
D–e p: internal pressure,
[kpsi]

σt = p •
2e D: external diameter, e: wall thickness
8808/0902
The resistance to direct bursting (very short-term: a
Ultimate strength few minutes) of Solef ® PVDF pipes was carried out by
100 14.5 submitting them to increasing pressure until they burst. The
tests were carried out on pipes with Ø = 8 and 12 mm and
50 7.25 thicknesses of 0.5 to 1.1 mm under two distinct conditions:
11010
60512 • at room temperature (23 °C/73.4 °F) with an increase of
1010
pressure of 60 bar (870 psi) in 1 minute, and then of
30 bar/min (435 psi/min) until bursting
• at increasing temperature in an oven starting at
10 1.45
140 °C (284 °F) for homopolymers or 120 °C (248 °F)
–40 –20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
(–40) (– 4) (32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) for copolymers at a rate of 0.3 °C/min (0.5 °F/min)
Temperature [°C (°F)] on sealed pipes 3/4ths filled with water. The bursting
pressure is equivalent to vapor pressure of the water
Conditions: Measured in accordance with
added to the air expansion, at the temperature at which
ASTM D 695 standard. Rate of compression:
1.3 mm/min. Solef ® 1010, 11010, 8808/0902: the pipe bursts.
compression (molded plates)
Solef ® 60512: extruded sheets The summary results of these tests are given in Table 23.
Under these test conditions, these values are applicable
only to tubes of small diameters and thin walls (Ø < 12
mm; thickness ≤ 1.1 mm) and not to pipes of greater
diameter and thick walls, for which the state of stresses is
not biaxial but triaxial.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 29

 Figure 33: Modeled isochrones at 23 °C (73.4 °F) of Solef ® 1010 (extruded sheets)
50 7,250

40 5,800

30 4,350
Stress [MPa]

[psi]
20 2,900

1h 1,000 h
10 10 h 10,000 h 1,450
100 h 100,000 h

0 0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Strain [%]

Figure 34: Experimental values for creep under tensile stress at 23 °C (73.4 °F) of Solef ® 1010
(extruded sheets)
12
Experimental 35 MPa (5,075 psi) 25 MPa (3,625 psi)
Creep model 30 MPa (4,350 psi) 20 MPa (2,900 psi)
10

8
Strain [%]

0
–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Log time [h]

30 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Figure 35: Creep under tensile stress at 140 °C (284 °F) of Solef ® 1010 (extruded sheets)
24 7.5 MPa (1,087 psi) 6 MPa (870 psi) 4.5 MPa (652 psi)
7 MPa (1,015 psi) 5.5 MPa (797 psi)
6.5 MPa (942 psi) 5 MPa (725 psi)
20
Experimental

16
Strain [%]

12

0
–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Log time [h]

Figure 36: Creep under tensile stress at 120 °C (248°F) of Solef ® 1010 and 60512
12

60512 – 5 MPa (725 psi)

60512 – 4 MPa (580 psi)
1010 – 5 MPa (725 psi)

9
Strain [%]

Condition: extruded sheets

0
–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4
Log time [h]

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 31

 Figure 37: Creep under tensile stress of Solef ® 8808/0902 compound at 120 °C (248 °F)

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5
Strain [%]

20 MPa – 120 °C (2,900 psi – 248 °F)

0.4 10 MPa – 120 °C (1,450 psi – 248 °F)
Condition: Injection moulded specimens
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
1 51 05 0 100 500 1,000
Time [h]

Table 23: Very short-term bursting resistance of Solef ® PVDF pipe

Bursting Temperature Bursting Pressure Hoop Stress

Grades [°C (°F)] [bar (psi)] [MPa (psi)]
1010* 23 (73.4) 94 – 139 (1,364 – 2,017) 55 – 61 (8,000 – 8,800)
1010* 156 (313) 5.8 – 6.4 (84 – 93) 2.5 – 3.5 (362 – 508)
11010** 134 (273) 3.4 – 3.5 (49 – 51) 1.5 – 1.6 (218 – 232)

* pipes Ø 8 mm and 12 mm. D/e = 9 to 13

** pipes Ø 12 mm. D/e = 10

Tests on Pipe – Bursting Resistance

to Long-Term Static Pressure
First of all, it should be noted that the long-term behavior Figure 39 shows the long-term hoop stress (LT HS)
of Solef ® PVDF pipes subjected to internal pressure has extrapolated to 50 years in a neutral environment as
been the topic of studies, still in progress, for over 20 a function of temperature, from data of Figure 38 and
years. The tests are conducted using DECHEMA test according to linear extrapolation method described in
equipment for measuring bursting pressures of small ISO/TR 9080. This curve relates to bursting pressures
diameter (exterior diameter D = 8 to 12 mm), thin walled without any safety factor.
pipes in a neutral environment (water), and in aggressive
The maximum acceptable operating pressures are
environments as part of the assessment of the chemical
below these values, and are obtained by incorporating
resistance of PVDF (on this subject, see the chapter
an adequate safety factor. This is defined in ISO/10931:
“Chemical resistance”).
“Plastics piping systems for industrial applications –
In a neutral environment, the pipes are each arranged Polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF”.
in a double stainless steel envelope plunged into an
Solef ® 1010 received in 1991 the approval from the
oil-bath thermostat. Each pipe is filled with water and
Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI, USA) as a material for
connected to a compressed nitrogen tank which ensures
manufacture of pipes whose wall thickness is calculated
pressurization. An electrical contact manometer measures
on the basis of hydrostatic pressure values at various
the pressure and trips the circuit of a timer when the pipe
temperatures.
bursts. The temperature is measured by thermocouple
in an identical pipe not subjected to pressure. Figure Figure 40 shows the design stresses for water
38 presents the bursting hoop stress of Solef ® PVDF extrapolated to 50 years of PVDF pipes, according to
pipes subjected to constant pressure versus time until ISO/10931-2, for a minimum required strength (MRS) of 25
rupture (DECHEMA test equipment) as a function of MPa (3,625 psi) and safety coefficient (Cmin) of 1.6.
the time necessary for rupture (logarithmic scales).
Pipes manufactured with Solef ® X10N resin of the first
generation, very close to the current 1010 grade, have
resisted for more than 20 years at 100 °C (212 °F) and
120 °C (248 °F).

32 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Figure 38: Hoop stress of Solef ® 1010 pipes vs. time until rupture
50 7,250

30 4,350

30°C (86°F) 120°C (248°F)

20 50°C (122°F) 140°C (284°F) 2,900
100°C (212°F) 150°C (302°F)
Hoop stress [MPa]

[psi]
10 1,450

5 725

10 20 50 ans

3 435
–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Log time [h]

Figure 39: Long-term hoop stress of Solef ® 1010 Figure 40: PVDF pipes in presence of water –
pipes extrapolated to 50 years (ISO/TR 9080) Design stress extrapolated to 50 years (ISO 10931-2)
25 3,625 20 2,900
Hoop stress ( t )r extrapolated to 50 years [MPa]

20 2,900 15 2,175
Design stress [MPa]

[psi]
15 2,175 10 1,450
[psi]

10 1,450 5 725

5 725 0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
(32) (68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248)
0 0 Temperature [°C (°F)]
40 60 80 100 120 140
(104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Conditions: Solef ® 1010 DECHEMA equipment for

testing pipes with small diameters and thin walls,
subjected to adjustable constant internal pressure
in a neutral environment (water) - Exterior diameter:
8 – 10 – 12 mm. Thickness: 0.8 – 1 mm,
Length: 300 mm, Temperature measured inside
the pipes. Linear correlation between 50°C (122°F)
and 120°C (248°F):Y = 28.86 – 0.164 X R2= 0.997

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 33

 Tests on Pipe – Figure 41: Long-term hoop stress of Solef ® 1010
Long-term Hoop Stress Using IPT Equipment pipes using IPT test equipment (ISO 10931-2)
The long-term behavior of Solef ® PVDF pipes subjected to 10 1,450
internal pressure has been studied lately using the IPT test
equipment (IPT Service GmbH, Germany). The IPT tests
are generally conducted on medium diameter pipes (D =
32 mm or more), in a neutral environment (water).

The pipes are maintained at test temperature with a

forced hot air circulation. A regulation device maintains
the temperature and internal pressure constant. Any loss

Hoop stress [MPa]

of water due to permeation is compensated automatically
120°C (248°F)

[psi]
from a pressurized tank.
140°C (284°F)
Each test station, comprising several pipes under
pressure, is equipped with a timer which is automatically
cut out at each pipe failure.

Figure 41 below shows the bursting hoop stress of Solef ®

1010 pipes vs. time in the IPT test equipment.

As can be seen the test method based on IPT equipment

generates regression curves with an inflexion point
(“knee”) after 3,000 h tests at 140 °C (284 °F). This
phenomenon has not been observed in the tests 1 145
conducted for more than 20 years, using DECHEMA test 0.1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000
equipment described above. Time [h]

As the IPT test method will become the international

standard (ISO 10931-2), Solvay will refer to it in future, in
preference to the DECHEMA one.

34 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Dynamic Loading Figure 42: Modulus E’ and tg δ of Solef ® PVDF
homopolymers vs. temperature (DMTA)
Alternating Low Amplitude, Short-term Stresses
– DMTA (Dynamic Modulus) 10,000 0.30
9009 1008
(ASTM D4065) 6008 6010
0.27
0.24
PVDF, like all thermoplastics, behaves as a viscoelastic 1,000
0.21
material. Under the effect of a stress, the response
0.18
(deformation) includes an elastic component and a

E' [MPa]

tg
100 0.15
viscous component.
0.12
Under a forced harmonic stress system, one measures 0.09
10
the amplitude and the phase displacement δ of the 0.06
resulting deformation. When it is performed over a wid e 0.03
Condition: Frequency = 1 Hz
range of temperatures, this method of evaluation makes it 1 0.00
possible to identify the thermomechanical spectrum of the – 50 0 50 100 150
material at a given frequency, characterized by: (– 58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
Temperature [°C (°F)]
• the temperature variation of the elastic modulus E’ (real
or purely elastic component of the complex modulus Alternating Long-term Stresses – Fatigue Tests
E*, where E* = E’ + iE”) (ASTM D671, DIN 53 442, NF T 51-120)
• the variation of the mechanical damping (or loss) tg δ The fatigue tests, performed under alternating or cyclic
as a function of the temperature. tg δ is the ratio of the stress, make it possible to determine the Wöhler curve
viscous (E”) and elastic (E’) components: of the material which represents the variation of the
maximum stress amplitude as a function of the number
E”
tg δ = of cycles-to-failure. The fatigue or endurance limit of the
E’
material generally corresponds to the maximum stress
The curve of tg δ displays peaks which correspond mainly achieved after 106 or 107 cycles.
to the second-order transitions, the most important
of which is the glass transition (due to the amorphous Figure 44: Wöhler curve for Solef ® 1008 tested at 20 °C
phase). (68 °F) under cyclical tension at a frequency of 0.5 Hz
between an adjustable maximum value σ and a zero
These transitions are the result of progressive liberations value.
of movements of molecular segments (greater or smaller
depending on the transition) when the temperature rises On this graph we have overlaid the tensile yield strength
(thermal agitation). level σe recorded during a static tensile test. With Solef ®
PVDF, fatigue breaks are obtained only at very high stress
The DMTA (dynamic mechanical thermo-analysis) levels, close to σe. All the ruptures are of a ductile nature.
technique was used to characterize the Solef ® PVDFs, in
torsion rectangular geometry with a frequency of 1 Hz.

Figures 42 and 43 show the curves of E’ and tg δ of

some Solef ® PVDF homopolymers and copolymers,
respectively.

In particular, for the Solef ® 9009 resin, one observes

primarily:
• A tg δ curve with a maximum at – 36 °C (– 32.8 °F), main
glass transition, also called TgL
• A modulus E’ curve displaying a clearly visible inflection
point (TgL) at – 36 °C (– 32.8 °F).

For copolymers Solef ® 11010 and 31508/0003, the glass

transitions are respectively – 30 °C (– 22 °F) and – 28 °C
(– 18.4 °F).

It is to recall that the temperatures of these transitions

reduce as the stress frequency declines (the reverse is
also true). They can also be identified by other physical
techniques such as dilatometry, dielectric measures, etc.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 35

 Figure 43: Modulus E’ and tg δ of Solef ® PVDF copolymers vs. temperature (DMTA)
10,0000 0.30

0.27
60512

0.24
1,000
11010
0.21

31508 0.18
E' [MPa]

100 0.15

tg
0.12
31508

11010 0.09
10
0.06
60512
0.03

Condition: Frequency: 1 Hz
1 0.00
–50 0 50 100 150
(–58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Figure 44: Fatigue under cyclical tensile stress for Solef® 1008 at 20 °C (68 °F)
80 11,600

70 10,150

60 8,700

e
Stress amplitude [MPa]

50 7,250

[psi]
40 5,800

30 4,350

20 2,900
M direction
T direction {tests interrupted
(specimens not broken)
10 1,450

0 0
1 101 102 103 104 105 106 107
Number of cycles to failure
Conditions:
σe: tensile yield strength in accordance with ASTM D638, Specimen type 1, rate of pulling: 5 mm/min
Fatigue test: Specimens taken from injection moulded plates (unnotched), source: RAPRA

36 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Figure 45: Wöhler curves for the Solef ® 1010 grade at Figure 45: Oligocyclic fatigue of Solef ® 1010 at
20, 60 and 100 °C (68, 140 and 212 °F). The fatigue tests various temperatures
were limited to the oligocyclic range (< 104 cycles). The
80 11,600
fatigue is evaluated under alternating uniaxial tensile
stress, between a maximum adjustable value σ and a low

Stress amplitude [MPa]

σe at 20°C (68°F)
residual value (2.5 MPa/362.5 psi), at the frequency of 0.5 60 8,700
Hz. Two thicknesses – 1 and 4 mm – were tested in order 20°C
to evaluate the influence of this parameter on the fatigue σe at 60°C (140°F)

[psi]
limit. 40
60°C 5,800

Like in the preceding case, the fatigue failures of a ductile σe at 100°C (212°F)
nature are only obtained under stresses close to σe (> 100°C
20 2,900
0.8 σe). In the absence of notches, Solef ® PVDF is so
Thickness 4 mm
characterized by a very high endurance limit, far above Thickness 1 mm
that of a large number of thermoplastics. σe
0 0

Fatigue on Notched Specimens – 1 10 100 1,000 10,000

Number of cycles to failure (log. scale)
Critical Stress Intensity Factor KIC
Fracture mechanics studies of the materials made it Conditions: Solef ® 1010, Specimens taken from
possible to discover the crack growth laws so as to compression moulded plates. Tests: Cyclical tensile
fatigue on unnotched specimens: f = 0.5 Hz
predict their conditions of instability on the basis of the σe: Tensile yield strength at the rate of 250 mm/min
geometry of the system (form, type of stress application), (for 1 and 4 mm thickness)
characteristics of the material and environment
(temperature, medium). Figure 46: Fatigue tests on notched specimens –
Wöhler curve of Solef ® 1010 at 25 °C (77 °F)
At the tips of a central crack of a specimen under tension
there are very high stresses which can far exceed the 100
tensile yield strength σe. Following the Dugdale model,
the opening of the lips of a crack δ (crack opening 80
displacement = COD) by plastic deformation is expressed
by the relationship:
(%)

60
e

σ2 Π c (KI)2
δ= =
Ratio

σy E σy E
40

where σ
 :nominal stress applied to the specimen
σy : real stress along the crack 20
c : half-length of the crack
E : modulus of elasticity 0
KI : stress intensity factor at the tip of the crack 0 2 4 6 8
Number of cycles to failure (log. scale)
The KIC factor corresponds to the maximum value of KI,
beyond which failure occurs by sudden propagation of the Conditions: Cyclical tensile fatigue tests
crack. It expresses the toughness of the material, i.e. the σe: maximum stress amplitude per cycle
σe: tensile yield strength
energy necessary for the creation of two break surfaces.
Length of initial notch: 0.4 mm (on each side),
This includes on the one hand the specific surface energy thickness: 2 mm
S and on the other the plastic deformation energy in
the zone adjacent to the crack line in the case of ductile
materials.

Fatigue tests on notched Solef ® 1010 specimens were

performed at several temperatures under cyclical tensile
stress at a frequency of 5 Hz.

Figure 46 shows the fatigue breaking stress as related

to σe in percent as a function of the number of cycles to
failure, at a temperature of 25 °C (77 °F).

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 37

 Impact Strength Figure 47: Izod impact resistance of various
Several methods are used to measure the impact
Solef ® PVDF grades vs. temperature
resistance of plastics, such as Izod and Charpy tests 1,000 18.7
presented below. These impact tests allow designers to
60512 1010
compare the relative impact resistance under controlled 31508 8808/0902
900 16.8
laboratory conditions and, consequently, are often used 11010 3108/0903
for material selection or quality control.
800 15.0
Izod Flexural Impact Strength
The notched Izod test (ASTM D256) is one of the most 700 13.1
widely employed methods for comparing polymeric
materials. In this test, a notched specimen is clamped at

Impact strength [J/m]

one end (“cantilever-beam”) and then struck at the other 600 11.2

end by a swinging pendulum. At the point of impact, the

[ft·lbf/in]
striker has a known amount of kinetic energy. The impact 500 9.3
energy is calculated from the excess energy remaining in
the pendulum after breaking the specimen.
400 7.5
Figure 47 shows the flexural impact strength between
– 40 °C (– 40 °F) and 100 °C (212 °F) of various Solef ® PVDF
300 5.6
grades (notched Izod).

Charpy Flexural Impact Strength 200 3.7

(ASTM D256)
Like the Izod test, the Charpy flexural impact test involves
100 1.9
striking a test specimen piece with a striker, mounted at
the end of a pendulum. In the Charpy test the specimen
is supported at both ends (“simple-beam”) and the striker 0 0
impacts the test piece immediately behind a machined – 50 0 50 100 150
(– 58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
notch. Again, the impact energy is calculated from the
Temperature [°C (°F)]
excess energy remaining in the pendulum after breaking
the specimen. Conditions: IZOD flexural impact test on notched
specimens (ASTM D256), Specimens taken from
Flexural impact strength of Solef ® 1010 and 1012 was compression moulded plates (except for Solef ®
evaluated using the Charpy method (see Table 24) 60512: extruded sheets)

Table 24: Charpy flexural impact strength

Impact Strength
Specimens [kJ/m2 (ft·lbf/in2)]
Solef® 1010 – extruded sheet
17.2 (8.2)
(propagation in M direction*)
Solef® 1010 – extruded sheet
17.8 (8.5)
(propagation in T direction*)
Solef® 1010 – compression
18.1 (8.6)
molded plate
Solef® 1012 – compression
24.5 (11.6)
molded plate
* M: machine direction; T: transversal direction.

38 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Brittleness Temperature
This test method covers the determination of the Table 25: Brittleness temperature of Solef ® PVDF
temperature at which plastics exhibit brittle failure under according to ASTM D746. Compression molded plate
impact conditions specified in the ASTM D746 standard. To
determine the brittleness temperature, specimens secured Brittleness Temperature
to a specimen holder are immersed in a bath containing a Grades [°C (°F)]
heat transfer medium that is cooled. The specimens are PVDF homopolymers
struck at various temperatures at a specified linear speed 1010 0 – 10 (32 – 50)
and then examined. The brittleness temperature is defined
6010 – 5 – 5 (23 – 41)
as the temperature at which 50 % of the specimens fail.
1012 0 – 10 (32 – 50)
The brittleness temperatures of various Solef ® PVDF grades
1015 – 12 (10.4)
are presented in Table 25.
PVDF copolymers
Comment: The test method based on the statistical
11010 – 18 (– 0.4)
distribution of failures as a function of the temperature is very
sensitive to the processing method and thermal treatments. 11008 – 17 (1.4)
21508 – 22 (– 8)
As shown with the homopolymers series, the brittleness
31508 – 37 (– 35)
temperature decreases as the molecular weight is higher.
60512 – 31 (– 24)
The copolymers have brittleness temperatures which are
significantly below those of the homopolymers. The 30000
and 60000 series copolymers (VF2 – CTFE copolymers)
have a brittleness temperature ≤ – 30 °C (< – 22 °F)

Multiaxial Impact Tests

– Instrumented Dart Impact
(ISO 6603, ASTM D3763, DIN 53443-2)
The behavior under multiaxial impact stresses of plastic
materials is evaluated by the perforation method using an
instrumented falling weight. The dart is equipped with a cell
to measure the force of impact, making it possible to record
the force-deformation diagram and deduce from it the
energy absorbed during the puncture of the specimen.

Table 26 gives the results obtained on various Solef ®

grades, and on several engineering thermoplastics.

The Solef ® PVDF copolymers, because they are more

deformable than the homopolymers, have greater impact
strength at room temperature.

Table 26: Impact tests by instrumented falling weight of Solef ® PVDF and thermoplastics

Temperature Impact Strength

Specimens [°C (°F)] (absorbed energy per unit of thickness) [J/mm (ft·lbf/in)]
Solef® 1010 23 (73) 4.0 (75)
– 40 (– 40) 0.4 (7.5)
Solef® 11010 23 (73) 9.5* (178)
– 40 (– 40) 0.5 (9.4)
Solef® 31508 23 (73) 7.0* (131)
– 40 (– 40) 1.2 (22.5)
PET (indicative values) 23 (73) 0.15 (2.8)
POM (indicative values) 23 (73) 0.6 (11.2)
PP (homopolymer/indicative values) 23 (73) 0.15 (2.8)

Test conditions: Aperture diameter of the specimen support: 40 mm, Diameter of the dart: 6.4 mm, Height of fall: 1 m, Weight of the
dart: 1.11 kg, Thickness of the specimens: 2 mm, * Weight of dart: 2.22 kg

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 39

 Resistance to Impact and Tearing on Films
The brittleness temperature of Solef ® 1008 films,
determined by impact in accordance with the DIN
53372 standard, is – 40°C (– 40°F). In addition, the
impact resistance of Solef ® PVDF films was evaluated in
accordance with the ASTM D1709 method (free falling
dart impact test) and the ISO 6383/2 method, also known
as the Elmendorf tear test. The results are presented in
Table 27.

Table 27: Tests of impact and tearing on Solef ® PVDF films

Dart Drop Test Elmendorf Tearing Force per Unit

Thickness [g for 50 % break- of Thickness [mN/μm] (ISO 6383/2)
Type of Film [μm] age] (ASTM D1709) M** T**
Solef® 1008 45 (30) 50 (10) (132)
130 170 16 25
320 – 25 27
Solef 1008 biaxially drawn
®
30 800 12 11
Solef 11010
®
75 60 40 230
Solef 21510*
®
100 – 162 156
20 – 160 650
Solef 31508
®
100 – 45 35
Solef 31508*
®
100 – 86 84

* Manufactured by blow molding

** M: machine direction; T: transversal direction

Reprocessing Effects on Mechanical

Properties
Tests have been performed on the Solef ® 1010 grade as a
function of the number of complete reprocessings
(extrusion-pelletizing). Table 28 gives the mechanical
properties recorded before and after reprocessing (up to
30 times).

This table show that, after 30 reprocessing steps:

• the melt flow index is only slightly modified
• the mechanical properties are virtually unmodified

Table 28: Reprocessing effects on mechanical properties of Solef ® 1010 grade

Number of Complete Reprocessings

Properties Units 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
MFI at 230 °C g/10 min 6.34 6.42 6.64 6.83 6.96 7.06 7.20
(ASTM D1238) (5 kg)
Mechanical properties (on compression molded plates), Tension* (ASTM D638)
Yield strength MPa (psi) 52.6 (7,642) 54.1 (7,845) 54.3 (7,874) 53.9 (7,816)
Elongation at yield % 7 9 10 9
Stress at break MPa (psi) 32.3 (4,684) 36.9 (5,351) 43.9 (6,366) 44.3 (6,424)
Elongation at break % 29 24 30 25
Modulus (secant) MPa (kpsi) 2,430 (352) 2,430 (352) 2,350 (341) 2,590 (376)

(*) Measurement at 5 mm/min except for modulus (1 mm/min)

40 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Electrical Properties

General Characteristics Figure 49: dielectric strength of Solef ® PVDF compression

molded plates as a function of thickness. The values are
Solef ® PVDF are prime materials for use in jacketing copper
within the range of those recorded for polyolefins.
plenum cables applications. They are particularly well suited
for use in hostile environments as jacketing material for Figure 50: variation of dielectric strength and breakdown
non-plenum cable applications where flexibility, toughness, voltage of films as a function of thickness.
thermal and chemical resistance are a must.
Figure 49: Dielectric strength of Solef ® PVDF
Volume and Surface Resistivities vs. plate thickness
(ASTM D257, DIN 53482) 60
The volume resistivity gives the insulating power in the
direction of the thickness, while the surface resistivity
50
indicates primarily the insulating power on the surface.

Dielectric strength [kV/mm]

Figure 48 shows the variation of the volume resistivity
40
(W·cm) vs. temperature for Solef ® 1008 grade.
HDPE
The surface resistivity under 500 V of this grade at 23 °C
30
(73.4 °F) is ≥ 1·1014 W/sq. The PVDF resin is a good
electrical insulator. Solef ® 3108/0903 and 3110/0907
Solef ® 11008/0003
grades, filled with carbon black, were developed for 20
Solef ® 31508/0003
antistatic applications. In these cases, the surface Solef ® 21508/0003 Solef ® 1010
resistivity is lower than 1,000 W (500 V, 23 °C/73.4 °F). 10

Figure 48: Volume resistivity of Solef ® PVDF 0

Air (Paschen curve)
vs. temperature 0 1 2
(0) (0.039) (0.079)
1016
[mm (in)]

Conditions: Measurements in accordance with

Volume resistivity [W·cm]

1014 ASTM D149, environment: oil, rate: 1kV/s,

temperature: 23°C/73.4 °F

1008 Figure 50: Dielectric strength and breakdown

1012 voltage of Solef ® 1008 films vs. thickness

150 15
1010
uniaxially drawn films
biaxially drawn films } Solef 1008
Dielectric strength [kV/mm]

®
Breakdown voltage [kV]

20 40 60 80 100 120 140

(68) (104) (140) (176) (212) (248) (284)
100 10
Temperature [°C (°F)]
Conditions: Compression moulded plates (1 mm),
measured in accordance with DIN 53482 after
1 and 2 min

50 5
Dielectric Strength
(ASTM D149, DIN 53481) Air (Paschen curves)
Dielectric strength is a measure of a material’s ability
to resist high voltage without dielectric breakdown. It is
measured by placing a specimen between electrodes and 0 0
increasing the applied voltage through a series of steps 0 100 200
(0) (3.94) (7.87)
until dielectric breakdown occurs. Although the results
[µm (mil)]
have units of kV/mm, they are not independent of sample
thickness. Therefore, data on different materials are Conditions: Measured in accordance with ASTM
comparable only for equivalent sample thicknesses. D149, Temperature: 23 °C/73 °C

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 41

 Dielectric Constant and Tangent Figure 51: Dielectric constant of Solef ® 1010
of Loss Angle at low frequency vs. temperature
(IEC 250, ASTM D150, DIN 53483)
20
Dielectric constant εr is defined as the ratio of the 0.06 kHz 10 kHz
capacitance of a condenser using the test material as 0.5 kHz 100 kHz
dielectric to the capacitance of the same condenser with 1 kHz
15

] r
a vacuum replacing the dielectric. Insulating materials

Dielectric constant [
are used in two very distinct ways: (1) to support and
insulate components from each other and ground, and (2)
10
to function as a capacitor dielectric. In the first case, it is
desirable to have a low dielectric constant. In the second
case, a high dielectric constant allows the capacitor to be
5
physically smaller.

Tangent of loss angle (also referred to as dissipation

factor or tg δ) is a measure of the dielectric loss (energy 0

dissipated) of alternating current to heat. In general, low – 50 0 50 100 150

(– 58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
dissipation factors are desirable. Temperature [°C (°F)]
• Figures 51 and 52: dielectric constant and tg δ of Solef ®
1010 as a function of temperature measured at different Figure 52: Tangent of dielectric loss angle of
frequencies (Compression molded plates – thickness: Solef ® 1010 at low frequency vs. temperature
2 mm) 0.30
• Figures 53 and 54: same characteristics for Solef ®
11008/0003 grade, 0.06 kHz 10 kHz
0.24 0.5 kHz 100 kHz
1 kHz
Figure 55: variation of εr and of tg δ of Solef ® 11008/0003
and 31508/0003 grades (for wire and cable market) vs. 0.18
frequency up to 10 MHz
Tangent

Like the dynamic mechanical stresses, the electrical 0.12

characteristics are influenced by glass and crystalline
phase transitions. The maximum values observed at low
0.06
frequency are moved towards higher temperatures when
the frequency increases.
0.00
– 50 0 50 100 150
(– 58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Figure 53: Dielectric constant of Solef ® 11008/0003

at low frequency vs. temperature

20
0.06 kHz 1 kHz
0.111 kHz 100 kHz
0.5 kHz
]

15
r
Dielectric constant [

10

0
– 50 0 50 100 150
(– 58) (32) (122) (212) (302)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

42 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Figure 54: Tangent of dielectric loss angle of Comparative Tracking Index
Solef ® 11008/0003 at low frequency vs. temperature (IEC 112, ASTM D3638, NF C 26-220)
0.30 The comparative tracking index (CTI) is designed to
characterize the resistance of an insulating material to
0.06 kHz 1 kHz surface tracking when it is subject to electrical voltage in a
0.24 0.111 kHz 100 kHz moist environment.
0.5 kHz
The CTI index is the maximum voltage for which one
0.18
can allow to fall, between two electrodes applied to the
Tangent

surface of the material, 50 drops of an electrolyte (NH4Cl:

0.12 0.1 % – rate: 1 drop every 30 seconds) without forming a
conducting path between these electrodes.

0.06 Table 29 shows the values measured for various PVDF

grades. Solef ® PVDF resins have a CTI value greater than
600 volts.
0.00
–50 0 50 100 150
(–58) (32) (122) (212) (150) Table 29: Comparative Tracking Index CTI in
Temperature [°C (°F)] accordance with the IEC 112 standard

Grades CTI [V]

Figure 55: Dielectric constant and tg δ of
Solef ® 11008/0003 and 31508/0003 vs. frequency Solef PVDF resins
®

15 0.3 1010 600+

31508/0003
6010 600+
Dielectric constant [ r ]

31508/0003
460 600+
10 0.2
11008/ 11010/0003 600+
Tangent

11008/0003 0003
21508/0003 600+
5 0.1
31508/0003 600+
Solef® PVDF compounds
0 0
8808/0902 < 100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Log. frequency [Hz]
Dielectric constant
Tangent of loss angle

Conditions: Measured in accordance with ASTM

D 150 at 23°C (73.4°F), 2 mm compression
moulded plates

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 43

 Piezo- and Pyroelectricity The d coefficients (coulomb/newton) are obtained by
measuring the charge density (coulomb/m2) which
When certain materials are subjected to mechanical
appears on the surfaces of the film when a mechanical
stress, electrical charges proportional to the stress
stress of 1 newton/m2 is applied in accordance with:
appear on their surface. Conversely, if they are subjected
to a difference of potential, they undergo mechanical • Thickness: d33 (or dT if the film cannot be deformed)
deformation. This phenomenon is called piezoelectricity. • Plane of the film and in machine direction: d31
Likewise, when the temperature of the material varies, • Plane of the film and in cross direction: d32.
an electrical voltage is generated at its edges: this is the
pyroelectric effect. If one measures the variation of the electrical field per
stress unit, one obtains the coefficients g, related to the
Solef ® PVDF possesses these two qualities, which are d coefficients by the equation g = d/εr where εr is the
sharply accentuated by the orientation of its molecular dielectric constant.
dipoles by polarization under the effect of an intense
electrical field at high temperature. The constants d and g are most often used for designing
electromechanical transducers. The pyroelectric constant
Solef ® PVDF is particularly well-suited for the manufacture p is the surface charge density (C/m2) which appears
of polarized films and sheets, because of its molecular when the film temperature is raised by 1 Kelvin; p is given
structure, its purity (which makes it possible to obtain in C/m2 K. This coefficient is employed in the design of
thin and regular films), and its suitability for crystallizing thermal sensors.
by drawing under the crystalline form β, which favors
maximum polarizability. Table 30 brings together the piezo- and pyroelectric
characteristics of Solef ® PVDF homopolymer films.
The piezoelectric activity of films is defined by the
coefficients of proportionality d between the mechanical
causes and the electrical effects.

Table 30: Piezo- and pyroelectricity of Solef ® PVDF films and sheets of various thicknesses (23 °C/73.4 °F)

Biaxially Uniaxially
Drawn Films Drawn Sheets
9 µm 25 µm 40 µm 130 µm 0.5 mm 1 mm
Properties 0.35 mil 0.98 mil 1.6 mil 5.1 mil 0.020 in 0.040 in
d33 [pC/N] – 17.5 – 16.5 – 19.5 – 33 – 30 – 30
d31 [pC/N] 6.5 8.5 9.5 23 18 18
d32 [pC/N] 6.5 8.5 9.5 3 3 3
g33 at 1 kHz [V·m/N] – 0.17 – 0.16 – 0.19 – 0.3 – 0.3 – 0.3
2 
p33 [µC/m ·K] – 27 – 26 – 32 – – –
Diel. constant er at 1 kHz 11.5 11.5 11.5 12 12 12
–3 –3 –3 –3 –3
tg d at 1 kHz 15·10 15·10 15·10 15·10 18·10 18·10 –3
DC breakdown voltage [V/µm] 750 585 540 – – –

44 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Environmental Resistance

Chemical Resistance However, there are some limitations regarding use of Solef ®
PVDF in certain chemical environments. The polymer, in
In general, Solef ® PVDF has excellent resistance to a
fact, can suffer swelling from short polar solvents that are
wide range of chemicals. The chemical resistance of
able to form hydrogen bonds as well as chemical attack
PVDF homopolymers can be considered as very similar
from strong bases and free radicals. In particular, PVDF is
regardless of the polymerization process used.
not suitable for use in the following media:
PVDF polymer is remarkably resistant against: • Basic environments having pH ≥ 12 and amines
• Most inorganic acids and salts • Chemicals that can generate free radicals, such as
• Organic acids chlorine in the presence of UV light
• Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons • Fuming sulphuric acid (oleum)
• Crude oil and fuels • A strongly polar solvent that can form hydrogen
• Alcohols and ethers bonds (dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and
N-methylpyrrolidone, for example, are well known
• Halogens, with the exception of fluorine
solvents for PVDF even at room temperature)
• Melted alkali metals or their amalgams.

Table 31 presents an overview of the chemical resistance

of PVDF to the most common chemicals. This is notably
an excerpt of the more detailed Tables of Chemical
Resistance of Solef ® PVDF.

Table 31: Overview of the chemical resistance of Solef ® PVDF

Chemical Formula Concentration [%] Maximum Temperature [°C (°F)]

Inorganic Acids
Hydrochloric HCl 37 140 (284)
Hydrofluoric HF 50 110 (230)
Nitric HNO3 50 100 (212)
65 75 (167)
Phosphoric H3PO4 85 140 (284)
Sulphuric H2SO4 up to 70 140 (284)
80 125 (257)
85 100 (212)
93 50 (122)
97 23 (73)
oleum not resistant
Bases
Ammonium hydroxide NH4(OH) 30 23 (73)
Potassium hydroxide KOH 30 not resistant
Sodium hydroxide NaOH 50 not resistant
Sodium hypochlorite NaClO 5 – stabilized at pH 12 50 (122)
Hydrocarbons
n-Hexane CH3(CH2)4CH3 100 140 (284)
Toluene C6H5CH3 100 100 (212)
Alcohols
Methanol CH3OH 100 50 (122)
Ethanol CH3CH2OH 100 100 (212)

continued on next page

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 45

 Chemical Formula Concentration [%] Maximum Temperature [°C (°F)]
Organic acids, esters and ketones
Acetic acid CH3COOH 100 50 (122)
50 75 (167)
Acetone CH3COCH3 100 not resistant
5 75 (167)
Acetophenone C6H5COCH3 100 25 (77)
Ethyl Acetate CH3COOCH2CH3 100 25 (77)
Classic polymer solvents
Dimethylformamide CH3CON(CH3)2 100 not resistant
Dimethylsulphoxide CH3SOCH3 100 not resistant
N-Methylpyrrolidone N(CH3)CO(CH2)3 100 not resistant

Halogenated Solvents
Chlorobenzene C6H5Cl 100 50 (122)
Chloroform CHCl3 100 50 (122)
Amines and nitriles
Acetonitrile CH3CN 100 not resistant
Aniline C6H5NH2 100 50 (122)
Dimethylamine (CH3)2NH 100 25 (77)
Peroxides
Hydrogen peroxide H 2O 2 30 50 (122)
Fluids used in the automotive industry
Crude oil 100 140 (284)
Dexron II (gear oil) 100 140 (284)
Gasoline 100 140 (284)
Mineral oil 100 140 (284)

Comparison with Other Plastics

Table 32 shows the performances of Solef ® homopolymer
resins in comparison to those of other hydrogenated
plastics used in the chemical industry.

Table 32: Performance of Solef ® PVDF homopolymers compared to other plastics

PVDF PP PVC FRP

30 °C 60 °C 90 °C 30 °C 60 °C 90 °C 30 °C 60 °C 90 °C 30 °C 60 °C 90 °C
Environment 68 °F 140 °F 194 °F 68 °F 140 °F 194 °F 68 °F 140 °F 194 °F 68 °F 140 °F 194 °F
H2SO4, 90% + + – + – – – –
HCl, conc. + + + + – + + + –
HNO3, 50% + + + – – – + – – – –
HF, 40% + + + + + + – – – –
NaOH, 50% – – – + + + + + + +
NaOCl, 15% – + + +
Cl2, dry gas + + + – – –
Cl2, moist gas – – –
Ketones, esters – – + – – – – – – – –
Aromatic hydrocarbons + + – – – – – – – –
Chlorinated solvents + – – – – – – – – –
+ : No significant change of properties
: Modifications of properties, but may be used under mild conditions
– : Considerable alteration in material properties

46 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Chemical Resistance of New Solef ® Copolymer Permeability
Developed for the Oil and Gas Applications Permeability is determined by a dynamic method
Solef ® PVDF shows excellent resistance to hydrocarbon consisting of circulating the permeating gas, or storing
solvents (aliphatic, cyclic, and aromatic) that are present in the permeating liquid, on one side of the membrane to be
the crude oil. Typically some swelling could be observed evaluated while the other side is swept by an inert gas.
which can lead to a lowering of the modulus. However, The permeating gas once diffused, is continually drawn
the fluoropolymers are generally inert to these types of and dosed by chromatography.
solvents and no chemical attack would be expected, even
The permeability P is given by the equation:
at high temperatures.
Q · e
In order to achieve a good flexibility without appreciable P=
S · Δp · t
loss in chemical resistance, VDF-based copolymers
were developed. In particular, Solef ® 60512 allows very where: Q
 : quantity of permeating gas having diffused
good flexibility and good mechanical properties at low e: thickness of the membrane
temperature combined with a chemical resistance close S: exposed surface of the membrane
to the homopolymer. These features led to a wide use of t: time
Solef ® 60512 copolymer in the Oil and Gas Applications. Δp: difference of permeating gas pressure between
the 2 sides of the membrane.
Table 33 below presents swelling data of Solef ® 60512
copolymer in contact with various hydrocarbon solvents P is expressed in:
that are present in crude oil. • cm3 N·mm/m2 ·d·bar: for the gases
• g·mm/m2 ·d: for the liquids (we consider Δp ~ 1 bar)
Table 33: Chemical resistance of Solef ® 60512
copolymer to hydrocarbon solvents* present in P varies with the temperature T according to a law of
crude oil Arrhenius in the form:

Weight increase Solef ® PVDF P = Po · e – E/RT

Chemical Solef ® 60512 homopolymer
Toluene + 6.3 % + 3.7 % Although it involves an intrinsic characteristic of the
100 °C (212 °F) material, independent of the thickness, P depends on the
Xylene + 5.2 % + 3.0 % condition of the material in relation with its processing:
100 °C (212 °F) type and degree of crystallinity, molecular orientation,
Crude oil + 0.9 % + 0.7 %
 
surface condition, etc.
135 °C (275 °F) (at 125 °C)
Note: As a general rule, the copolymers are more permeable
Benzene + 6.6 % – than the homopolymers.
80 °C (176 °F)
Water Permeability
Methanol + 11.4 % * + 6.3 %
130 °C (266 °F) Table 34: Water permeability of Solef ® 1010
* slight dissolution
Temperature Permeability
Type of Sample [°C (°F)] [g·mm/m2 · d]
Permeability Film of 100 m 23 (73) 0.2
38 (100.4) 0.9
Water Absorption
Sheet of 0.5 mm 23 (73) 0.2
(ISO 62, ASTM D570, DIN 53495, NF T 51-166, 38 (100.4) 0.6
BS 430 A) 50 (122) 1.5
100 (212) 30
• Homo- and copolymer resins: after 24 h at 23 °C
(73.4 °F), absorption lower than 0.04 % by weight Plate of 2 mm 23 (73) 0.2
50 (122) 1.4
• After 30 min and 30 days at 100 °C (212 °F), the Solef ®
100 (212) 26
1010 grade led to absorption of 0.08 % and 0.19 % by 120 (248) 80
weight, respectively. Expressed by surface unit of the
sample, this absorption has the value of 1.9 g/m2 after
30 min
• 4.5 g/m2 at saturation
Note: The presence of fillers in the compounds modifies
the behavior, and in some cases the water uptake can be
significantly higher: consult Solvay Specialty Polymers.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 47

 Water Vapor Permeability
Figure 56: Water vapor permeability of Solef ® PVDF vs. temperature
1,000
Permeability [g·mm/m2·d]

100

10
31508 – film
60512 – film
1
60512 – plate
1008 – film
0.1
1010 – plate
0.01
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
(32) (50) (68) (86) (104) (122) (140) (158) (176) (194) (212) (230) (248)
Temperature [°C (°F)]

Conditions: ASTM F1249-89 standard, Films: 100 µm, Extruded plates: 2 mm

Permeability to Liquids and Gases

Figure 57: Permeability to liquids of Solef ® PVDF Figure 58: Permeability to gases of Solef ® PVDF
homo- and copolymers vs. temperature homopolymers vs. temperature

100 HCl
Ethyl acetate 10,000
Bromine (1 mm sheet)
50 H2S
5,000

Chloroform Cl2

Dichloromethane
10 SO2
1,000
Permeability [cmN·mm/m·d·bar]

Toluene NO2
5
Permeability [g·mm/m2·d]

500
N2O CO2
1.2 Dichloro-
ethane Cl2 dry
1 NO
Perchloro- Methanol 100
ethylene
0.5
50
N2 O2
HF-1 mol/1
(1 mm sheet)
CCl4 Toluene
Gas
0.1
10
2.4 Dichlorophenol Chloroform
0.05
5
Perchloroethylene
Ethanol
SF6
R 113 HCl (12N)
n-Hex ane
0.01 1
110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20
(230) (212) (194) (176) (158) (140) (122) (104) (86) (68) (230) (212) (194) (176) (158) (140) (122) (104) (86) (68)
Temperature [°C (°F)] Temperature [°C (°F)]
Solef ® 1008 or 1010 homopolymer Conditions: Measured by gas chromatography:
Solef ® 11010 copolymer O2 , N2 , SF6, N2 O, CO2 , Cl2 dry,
Measured according to ASTM D1434: NO, NO2 ,
Conditions: Measures performed on extruded films
SO2 , Cl2 , H2 S, HCl, Extruded films of ~100 µm
of ~100 µm by chromatography

48 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Thermal Aging Tests
Fluoropolymers generally have greater thermal stability The mechanical characteristics remain constant and
than their hydrocarbon counterparts. This stability is due within the range of the measurement variations.
to the high electronegativity of the fluorine atom and thus
In the case of Solef ® 11010 copolymer, aging tests up to
to the high dissociation energy of the C-F bond.
1,000 hours at 150 °C (302 °F) on compression molded
In particular, PVDF has an excellent resistance to long- sheets produced the same results, i.e. an excellent
term thermal aging (up to a temperature of 150 °C/302 °F), preservation of mechanical properties (see Table 36). The
dependent on grades. possible occurrence of a certain yellowing on aging has
no effect on PVDF properties.
Tensile tests were performed on Solef ® 1008 injection
molded specimens after 2 years aging at 20 °C (68 °F),
120 °C (248 °F) and 150 °C (302 °F). See Table 35.

Table 35: Thermal aging tests at various temperatures on Solef ® 1008

Tensile Yield Strength Secant Modulus Elongation at Yield

[MPa (psi)] at 1 % Deformation [MPa (kpsi)] [%]
Aging Period 20 °C 120 °C 150 °C 20 °C 120 °C 150 °C 20 °C 120 °C 150 °C
[Days] 68 °F 248 °F 302 °F 68  °F 248 °F 302 °F 68  °F 248 °F 302 °F
1 50 (7,250) 53 (7,685) 51 (7,395) 1,900 (275) 1,700 (246) 1,600 (232) 9.5 10.5 11.8
11 49 (7,105) 54 (7,830) 51 (7,395) 2,000 (290) 1,900 (275) 1,800 (261) 8.5 10.0 13.0
160 53 (7,685) 54 (7,830) 51 (7,395) 2,300 (333) 2,100 (304) 1,800 (261) 7.0 9.0 11.5
358 54 (7,830) 55 (7,975) 53 (7,685) 2,300 (333) 2,300 (333) 2,200 (319) 7.0 10.0 > 11.0
730 52 (7,540) 54 (7,830) – 2,300 (333) 1,800 (261) – 6.6 10.4 –

Source: RAPRA – Injection molded specimens

Table 36: Thermal aging tests at 150 °C (302 °F) of Solef ® 11010 grade

Aging Period [h]

Properties Units 0 8 100 1000
Tensile properties
Yield stress MPa 28 28 29 28
psi 4,060 4,060 4,205 4,060
Strength at break MPa 41 34 34 40
psi 5,945 4,930 4,930 5,800
Elongation at break % > 500 > 480 > 480 > 500
Modulus MPa 1,020 1,070 1,020 870
kpsi 148 155 148 126
Thermal properties
HDT under 0.46 MPa (66.7 psi) °C 113 122 132 149
°F 235 252 270 300

Compression molded plates, thickness 2 mm

Rate of pulling: 10 mm/min (Modulus: 1 mm/min)

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 49

 Maximum Continuous Use
Temperature
The maximum continuous service temperature of Solef ® In the wire and cable industry, on the basis of tests
PVDF pipes subjected to hydrostatic pressure is 150 °C performed by Underwriters Laboratories on finished
(302 °F). See also section “Bursting resistance to long- communications cables, Solef ® 11010/0003 and
term static pressure”. 31508/0003 grades received the “UL rating 150 °C
(302 °F)”, while the 21508/0003 grade
Various institutes have approved the flexible linings made
received the “UL rating 125 °C (257 °F)”.
of Solef ® PVDF for use in contact with gases at 160 °C
(320 °F) in the combustion gas circuit at the outlet of high- For instance Figure 59 illustrates the results of tests
performance boilers. These gases, when condensing, are performed by UL on 24 AWG (25 pair) cables jacketed
aggressive (presence of sulfuric acid) and may corrode with Solef ® 31508/0003 copolymer, in accordance with
metal materials. the UL 444 procedure, making it possible to define the
continuous use temperature (UL rating 150 °C/302 °F).

Figure 59: Mechanical properties of cables jacketed with

Solef ® 31508/0003 copolymer vs. aging at 158 °C (316 °F)
100
Property retention [%]

80

60
Strength at break
Elongation at break
40

20

0
0 30 60 90 120 150
Aging time [days]

Conditions: 24 AWG (25 pair) cables insulated and jacketed with Solef ® 31508/0003,
tests performed by UL in accordance with UL procedure 444
* Source: UL File E 76532

Weathering Resistance Table 37: Artificial aging using Xenon-arc Weather-

O-Meter and water exposure (UL 746C)
Solef PVDF offer excellent intrinsic resistance to natural
®

aging and do not require anti-UV additives.

Percent Retention
After Conditioning
Artificial Aging Using Weather-O-Meter
Equipment 7 days water
Initial 1,000 h at 70 °C
Solef ® 1008 film at 60 °C (140 °F) was irradiated with a Properties Units Properties UV (158 °F)
carbon arc lamp with a maximum emission of 390 nm,
UL 94 Class V-0 V-0 V-0
and whose spectrum is rich in wavelengths between 330 Flame test
and 430 nm. After 7,200 hours exposure (which is enough
Tensile kJ/m2 81
to affect most plastics), no measurable modification was 99 % 100 %
impact test ft·lbf/in2 38.5
identified with regard to the mechanical properties (tensile
Tensile MPa 45
and impact strength). 100 % 95 %
strength psi 6,525

Artificial Aging Using Xenon-Arc Weather-O- Test conditions: Solef ® 6008 plates – 1 mm thick, Tensile
impact test measured in accordance with ASTM D1822, Tensile
Meter and Water Exposure in Accordance with
strength measured in accordance with ASTM D638
the UL 746C Procedure
Solef ® 6008 considered stable for outdoor use (1,000
hours of Xenon-arc Weather-O-Meter conditioning and
water exposure and immersion for 7 days at 70 °C/158 °F):
very good retention of tensile impact and tensile strength,
no variation inflammability test (see Table 37).

50 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Accelerated Tests, Using Q-U-V Equipment Accelerated Natural Aging Test
Solef 1008: 5000 hours of cycles composed of 4 hours
®
EMMAQUA method (ASTM D838 standard) on 80 µm
exposure to UV at 60 °C (140 °F) followed by 4 hours of thick films made of Solef ® 1008: no alteration after 1 year
condensation at 40 °C (104 °F) on 2 mm thick sheets: weathering (see Table 38).
tensile modulus of 2,600 MPa (377 kpsi) unchanged.

Solef ® 31508: 3000 hours of cycles composed of 6 hours

exposure to UV at 45 °C (113 °F) followed by 2 hours of
condensation at 45 °C (113 °F) on 100 µm films: aspect
unchanged (color, gloss).

Table 38: Accelerated natural aging of Solef ® 1008 films EMMAQUA tests, DSET Lab. Inc.

Aging Period [Months]

Properties Unit 0 4 8 12
Yellowing index (ASTM 1925) – 1,7 2,9 2,9 3
Melting temperature (DSC) °C 174 174 172 173
°F 345 345 342 343
Tensile test at 50 mm/min:
Tensile yield stress MPa 40 40 43 42
psi 5,800 5,800 6,235 6,090
Strength at break MPa 63 44 47 45
psi 9,135 6,380 6,815 6,525
Elongation at break % 520 440 320 460
Modulus* MPa 1,280 1,490 – 1,310
kpsi 86 216 – 190
Tensile impact strength (DIN 53448) kJ/m2 450 430 600 380
ft·lbf/in2 214 205 285 181

80 µm thick films produced by flat die extrusion on chill roll, Mechanical properties measured in the machine direction
* Rate = 1 mm/min

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 51

 Natural Aging in Arizona
Aging of 80 µm films made of Solef ® 1008 and 11010:
no property alteration was found after several years, as
shown by tests performed after 9 years aging (see Table
39).

Table 39: Natural aging tests performed in Arizona on Solef ® PVDF films, DSET Lab. Inc. – New River
Aging [Years]
Properties of
0 0,5 1 6 9
Solef ® 1008 (I)
and 11010 (II) Grades Units I II I II I II I II I II
Yellowing index (ASTM 1925) 1,7 1.9 3.3 4.1 4.2 3.4 0.9 1.2 1.8 4.7
Melting temperature (DSC) °C 174 159 174 158 174 159 173 158 175 160
°F 345 318 345 318 345 318 343 316 347 320
Tensile test at 50 mm/min:
Tensile yield stress MPa 40 22 41 23 39 25 42 24 44 25
psi 5,800 3,190 5,945 3,335 5,655 3,625 6,090 3,480 6,380 3,625
Strength at break MPA 63 54 48 44 35 49 60 56 59 54
psi 9,135 7,830 6,960 6,380 5,075 7,105 8,700 8,120 8,555 7,830
Elongation at break % 520 470 440 370 320 380 450 410 425 420
Modulus* MPa 1,280 590 1,350 670 1,150 660 1,350 700 1,370 670
kpsi 186 86 196 97 167 96 196 102 199 97
Tensile impact strength kJ/m2 450 3,400 450 2,800 250 2,300 400 2,700 – –
(DIN 53448) ft·lbf/in2 214 1,618 214 1,332 119 1,094 190 1,285 – –
Resistance to Elmendorf N 1.9 2.5 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.8 3.2 2.6 3.1
tearing (ASTM 1922) lbf 0.43 0.56 0.32 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.63 0.72 0.59 0.70

80 m thick films manufactured by flat die extrusion on chill roll, Mechanical properties measured in the machine direction
* Rate of pulling = 1 mm/min

Resistance to High Energy Radiation Figure 60: Mechanical properties of Solef ® 1010 vs.
Solef ® PVDF undergoes cross-linking when it is
doses of γ radiation
subjected to γ radiation, which modifies its mechanical Stress [MPa]
Tensile impact strength [J/cm2] Elasticity modulus [MPa (kpsi)]
characteristics. Depending on the conditions of service,
3,000
the maximum tolerable dose can reach 20 to 40 MRad 100
(435)
(This depends particularly on the thickness and the
presence or absence of oxygen).
Modulus 2,500
Radiation exposure tests using a Co60 source were 75
(362.5)
performed on injection molded specimens of Solef ® 1010.
The mechanical properties were measured after different Yield strength
doses of radiation. The results are presented in Figure 60. 50 2,000
Stress at break (290)
We observe a progressive increase of the modulus, the
yield strength and stress at break, while the tensile impact
strength diminishes gradually until a dose of 20 MRad, 1,500
25
then more sharply for higher doses. The insolubility of (217.5)
Te nsile
PVDF in dimethylformamide (DMF) varies from 0 to 20 %
impact strength
when the dose increases from 0 to 1 MRad. The insoluble 1,000
portion increases to 72 % at 10 MRad. Subjected to an 0
(145)
accelerated electron bombardment of 3 MeV (β radiation), 1 5 10 50 100 500
Radiation dose [MRad]
Solef ® PVDF undergoes the same effects: crosslinking is
virtually complete at the dose of 10 MRad. Conditions: Injection moulded specimens
Temperature: 23°C (74.3°F)
In sterilization under a γ radiation dose of 2.5 and 5 MRad, -ray rate: 1 Gray/s
Solef ® PVDF preserves virtually all its properties, despite
a discoloration which gradually appears with the radiation
dose increase.

52 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Resistance to Fire Limiting Oxygen Index – LOI
Solef PVDF display excellent intrinsic fire behavior.
® The oxygen index is defined by ASTM D2863 as the
Nevertheless, PVDF is combustible like all organic minimum concentration of oxygen, in a mixture of oxygen
materials. The gross calorific value (GCV) measured and nitrogen that will support flaming combustion of a test
on Solef ® homopolymer in powder form is 14.7 MJ/kg material.
(6.32·103 Btu/lb), in accordance with the calorimetric
Since ordinary air contains roughly 21 % oxygen, a
bomb test DIN 51 900 Part 3.
material whose oxygen index is appreciably higher than 21
In addition, the lower flammability limit for the Solef ® PVDF is considered flame resistant because it will only burn in
homopolymer powder fluidized in the air (concentration an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
above which an explosion can occur in presence of a
Figure 61 presents the LOI at 23 °C (73.4 °F) of Solef ®
spark) was measured using a Hartmann pipe. It is 80 g/m3
PVDF resins in comparison with other thermoplastics. It
(5.0·10 –3 lb/ft3) for an average particle diameter (dp) ~ 60
includes Solef ® PVDF copolymers specially developed for
µm (class St1 following VDI 3673: slightly explosive).
wire and cable applications and offered with patented fire
UL 94 Flammability Test retardant formulations. There are in particular Solef ® PVDF
(Underwriters Laboratories) copolymers with a LOI of > 90 % which are available on
request. Those grades are identified as follows:
Table 40 lists the PVDF resins that have received the
XXXXX/0009.
highest classification UL 94 V-0 according to the UL 94
procedure.

Table 40: Solef ® PVDF grades certified UL 94 V-0

Grades
Solef® 1006/0001 Solef® 6008/0000
Solef® 1008/0001 Solef® 6010/0000
Solef® 1009/0001 Solef® 460
Solef® 1010/0001 Solef® 11008/0003
Solef® 1012/0001 Solef® 21508/0003
Solef® 6008/0001 Solef® 31508/0003

Figure 61: Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of Solef ® PVDF resins and various thermoplastics (thickness: 3 mm)
Polystyrene – ABS – PE 19

Polyamide 6 23

Polycarbonate 26

ETFE-PEEK-PES 30

Flame-ret plast PVC 35

Non-plasticized PVC 42

Solef homop.
®
44

Halar ® ECTFE 60

Solef ® 11008/0003 65

Solef 21508/0003
®
65

Solef 31508/0003
®
65

Solef XXXXX/0009
®
> 90

Hyflon® PFA 95

PTFE 95

0 25 50 75 100

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 53

 Flame Spread in UL 723 UL 910 Modified Steiner Tunnel Test
“Steiner Tunnel Test” (ASTM E84, UL 723) In addition, similar tunnel tests were performed by the
The test ASTM E84 (or UL 723) is designed to evaluate the Underwriters Laboratories (UL 910 or NFPA-262 on
flame spread on the surface of a material and the density finished products) for telephone cables insulated with
of smoke released by the combustion. Solef ® PVDF copolymer, with jacketing of wire bundles
using same Solef® PVDF grade. The results of the flame
This test is carried out in a horizontal tunnel 25 feet long
propagation tests appear in Table 41.
with forced ventilation. The ceiling of the tunnel is covered
with 4 contiguous sheets of Solef ® 1010 with dimensions The Solef ® PVDF copolymers specially developed for
of 6 ft x 2 ft and a thickness of 3 mm (0.12 in). Two gas the wire and cable market are thus classified by UL
burners with a heating power of 5.3 MJ/min (5.0 kBtu/min), suitable for communication cables and plenum cables
located at the entrance of the tunnel under the material applications.
to be tested constitute the flame source. The maximum
propagation distance and smoke density are normally Epiradiator Test
assessed in comparison to wood (red oak) whose flame (NF P 92-501)
propagation index and optical density index are both The French epiradiator test consists of exposing a
100. Class 1 corresponds to materials which have flame specimen to a radiant heat source of 3 W/cm2 (2.59
propagation indices between 0 and 25 and smoke density Btu/s·ft2), in presence of a pilot flame which is supposed
indices below 450. to burn any gases which are released. Materials are
classified from M1 (the best for combustible materials) to
As for example the results for Solef ® 1010 are:
M4. Virgin PVDF resins were classed as M2 (difficult to
• Propagation distance: 1.5 ft burn).
• Flame propagation index: 5
Smoke Emission – NBS Chamber Test
• Smoke density: 90
The NBS chamber test consists of exposing aspecimen
• Classification: class 1
(76 × 76 x th. mm) to a radiant heat source of 2.5 W/
cm2 (2.16 Btu/s·ft2) in the presence (or not) of flames,
and to measure the opacity of the smoke emitted by the
specimen. The results obtained with Solef ® PVDF appear
in Table 42 in comparison to other thermoplastics.

Table 41: UL 910 test on electrical cables jacketed with Solef ® PVDF

100 Pairs of Twisted 25 Pairs of Twisted

Types of Cables Specification Telephone Cables (24 AWG) Telephone Cables (24 AWG)
Solef ® PVDF grade 11010/0003 21508/0003 31508/0003
Temperature rating [°C (°F)] – 150 (302) 125 (257) 150 (302)
Max. flame spread [ft] ≤5 3 2.5 2
Average optical density ≤ 0.15 0.01 0.02 0.06
Maximal optical density ≤ 0.5 0.06 0.1 0.1

Table 42: Smoke production of Solef ® PVDF (NBS chamber). Comparison with other thermoplastics

Max. Specific Optical Density [Dm] Optical Density VOF4

Material Thickness [mm (in)] w/o flame with flame w/o flame with flame
1010 2 (0.079) 25 270 – –
11010 2 (0.079) 45 145 – –
11008/0003 5 (0.20) 120 150 4 55
31508/0003 5 (0.20) 75 85 0 40
PMMA 3 (0.12) 63 117 – –
Polypropylene 3 (0.12) 550 162 – –
Flame-retardant polypropylene 3 (0.12) 820 600 – –
Polystyrene 3 (0.12) 476 960 – –

54 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Safety, Hygiene, Health Effects

Fluoropolymer resins, like Solef ® PVDF, are known for their As an indication with respect to HF, the ACGIH TLVCeiling
high chemical stability and low reactivity. value (the concentration that should not to be exceeded
during any part of the working exposure) is 2 ppm (1.7 mg/m3),
Where toxicological studies have been conducted on
the indicative occupational exposure limit values established
fluoropolymers, no findings of significance for human health
by Directive 2000/39/EC is 3 ppm (2.5 mg/m3) for short-term
hazard assessment have been reported. None of the
(15-minutes) exposure period and the IDLH (Immediately
fluoropolymers are known to be a skin irritant or sensitizer in
Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations) value set by
humans.
NIOSH is 30 ppm.
Following massive exposure to fluoropolymer resin dust
In the event of fire, it is preferable to extinguish it with sand or
by inhalation, increases in urinary fluoride were produced;
extinguishing powder; use of water may lead to the formation
however, no toxic effects were observed.
of acid solutions.
Some Solef ® PVDF resins are formulated with additives such
The odour threshold of hydrogen fluoride is significantly less
as fillers, pigments, stabilizers, etc, to provide favourable
than the occupational exposure limits. Inhalation of hydrogen
processing, or other characteristics. These additives may
fluoride at higher concentration will give rise to symptoms
present other hazards in the use of the resins.
of choking, coughing and severe eye, nose and throat
The Safety Data Sheet available for each of the commercial irritation. In severe cases, and possibly following a symptom
grades should be consulted for specific health information free period, fever, chills, difficulty in breathing, cyanosis, and
and to follow all the necessary safety instructions. pulmonary oedema may develop which may lead to death.
Acute overexposure to hydrogen fluoride can result in injury
For further details, please consult the official texts relating to to the liver and kidneys.
the national laws on Workplace Protection and the brochure
“Guide for the Safe Handling of Fluoropolymer Resins”.
Approvals
Toxicity of Decomposition Products Food Contact
The main Solef PVDF grades must be processed at
® The inertness of sintered fluoropolymers and their resistance
temperatures between 200 °C and 250 °C (392 and 482 °F). to high temperatures have made them a good candidate
material for articles to be used in contact with foodstuffs.
Under these conditions, there is no risk of decomposition
of the PVDF (except in the presence of contaminants – See At present, in Europe, plastic materials coming into contact
Section “Processing Basics and Safety”). with food are regulated by the EU Commission Regulation
No. 10/2011 and its amendments. Under this directive
Nevertheless fumes can be generated even at the plastic articles intended to come into contact with food shall
temperatures reached during the normal hot processing have all their monomers or starting substances listed in the
of fluoropolymers and it is necessary to assume that the above mentioned directive and are required to comply with
resulting fumes can present a potential health hazard. It is an overall migration limit and specific migration limits for the
essential that adequate ventilation is provided to prevent monomers used in the production of the polymer. It is the
exposure in the workplace. (See Section “Processing Basics responsibility of the supplier of the finished article to ensure
and Safety”). compliance with these limits.
The consequence of over-exposure to the fumes from The fluorinated monomers used in Solef ® PVDF
fluoropolymers decomposing under these conditions is homopolmers (vinylidene fluoride) and copolymers (vinylidene
termed “Polymer Fume Fever” .This is a temporary, influenza fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene) meet
like illness with fever, chills and sometimes a cough which the requirements of the above mentioned Directive.
lasts approximately 24 to 48 hours. The illness is also
associated with exposure to the decomposition products Solef ® homopolymers comply with the specifications of the
produced by smoking tobacco products, such as cigarettes, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 21CFR
which have become contaminated by fluoropolymer 177.2510; Solef ® VDF/HFP and VDF/CTFE copolymers
resins, even by trace quantities. It is essential that smoking comply with the specifications of 21CFR 177.2600.
and tobacco products be banned in work areas where
The compliance with these regulations depends on the
fluoropolymer resins are handled.
Solef ® PVDF polymer family and on the grade used;
The main types of products formed in the decomposition consequently, users should contact the Solvay Specialty
of fluoropolymers are oxidation products, mainly hydrogen Polymers representative to obtain information on current
fluoride and carbonyl fluoride; at higher temperatures, low listings.
molecular weight fluoropolymer particulates are released.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 55

 National Water Contact Standards NSF Standard 51 – Food Equipment Materials
Several States operate national acceptance schemes Table 45 lists the Solef ® PVDF polymers certified to this
(NASs) for products and/or materials used in contact with standard at the maximum temperature of 126 °C (259 °F).
drinking water. These schemes involve testing of materials The listed materials are certified for all food types (dry solids,
and products and/or the assessment of evidence for aqueous, acidic, dairy products, oil and alcoholic beverages).
product acceptability.The objective of all NASs is to ensure
that products used in contact with drinking water do not Table 45: Solef ® PVDF grades in compliance with
cause a significant risk to consumers’ health, or cause NSF Standard 51
unacceptable effects on drinking water quality, such as
Solef® 1008/0001 Solef® 6020/1001
tastes and odours.The test requirements, acceptance
criteria and acceptance levels vary among the NASs. Solef® 1010/0001 Solef® 11008/1001
Solef® 1015/1001 Solef® 21216/1001
Listings expire periodically and depending on market
demand they may or may not be recertified. Contact your Solef® 6008/0001 Solef® 21508/1001
Solvay Specialty Polymers representative for the latest Solef® 6010/1001
listing.

Germany NSF Standard 61 – Drinking Water System

Components – Health Effects
Table 43 lists the resins that have been tested and comply
Table 46 lists the Solef ® PVDF polymers certified to meet
with:
NSF Standard 61 at 85 °C (185 °F)
• the KTW recommendations of the German Federal
Health Office at temperature up to 90 °C (194 °F); the Table 46: Solef ® PVDF grades in compliance with
plastic materials are tested in respect of its influence NSF Standard 61
on the appearance quality of the water, the release
Solef® 1008/0001 Solef® 6020/1001
of its constituents into the water and its disinfectants
demand Solef® 1010/0001 Solef® 11008/0001

• DVGW W270; the plastic materials are tested for the Solef® 1015/1001 Solef® 11008/1001
microbial resistance Solef® 6008/0001 Solef® 11010/1001
Solef® 6010/0001 Solef® 21216/1001
Table 43: Solef ® PVDF grades in compliance with
KTW and DVGW W270 Solef® 6010/0000 Solef® 21508/1001

Grades Tested by Grades Tested by Medical Applications

KTW DVGW W270
Solef ® 1008 has been tested according to USP chapter 88
Solef® 1008/0001 Solef® 1008/0001
“Biological reactivity tests, in vivo” and has demonstrated
Solef® 1010/0001 Solef® 1010/0001 its compliance with the requirements of USP Plastic Class
Solef® 1010/0901 Solef® 1010/0901 VI.
(black master batch)
Although USP Class VI testing is widely used and
accepted in the medical products industry, it does not fully
United Kingdom
meet any category of ISO 10993-1 testing guidelines for
Table 44 lists the Solef ® PVDF grades that have met the medical device approval.
requirements of the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme
(WRAS) Tests of Effects on Water Quality – BS 6920, Hot Each specific type of medical product must be submitted
and Cold Water Use and are suitable for use in contact to appropriate regulatory authorities for approval.
with potable water Manufacturers of such articles or devices should carefully
research medical literature, test and determine whether
Table 44: Solef ® PVDF grades in compliance with the fluoropolymer is suitable for the intended use. They
BS 6920 must obtain all necessary regulatory agency approvals
for the medical product including all raw material
Solef® 1008/0001 Solef® 1010/0901 components.
Solef® 1010/0001
Solvay Specialty Polymers does not allow nor support
the use of any of our products in any permanent implant
National Sanitation Foundation applications. For any questions regarding our implant
(NSF International) policy, please contact your Solvay Specialty Polymers
NSF International is a non-governmental organization that representative.
develops standards for public health and safety. It also
provides lists of materials that conform to their standards.

56 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

 Processing Basics and Safety

Solef ® PVDF grades are melt processable fluoropolymers Feeding zone 15 – 20 D
which can be processed using techniques applicable to
Compression zone 0.5 – 3 D
standard thermoplastics like polyolefins. However, some
peculiarities have to be taken into account. Here below a Metering zone 5 – 7 D
general description of the main aspects of processing is Total Length 25 D (e. g. 15 D + 3 D + 7 D or 18.5
detailed. D + 0.5 D + 6 D – short compression
section for long feeding section)

Safety Compression ratio 2.5 – 3

PVDF resins are relatively non-toxic resins which are not Pitch = diameter
hazardous under typical handling or processing Front angle of screw 60º
conditions. But, as with all polymer materials exposed
to high temperatures, good safety practice requires the In general, stagnation zones and excessive shear should
use of adequate ventilation when processing. Ventilation be avoided (the latter can induce the formation of a
should be provided to prevent exposure to any fumes and gamma phase, a crystalline PVDF phase with lower
gases which could be generated. Excessive heating may thermal stability).
produce fumes and gases which are irritating or toxic.
For industrial production, the screw and barrel material
Certain additives such as mica, glass fibers, light metal should resist both corrosion and abrasion. If different
such as titanium, boron, aluminum, may catalyze thermal materials are used for the screw and barrel, the screw
decomposition rates and need to be avoided. hardness should be lower than the barrel hardness.
Since the standard melt temperatures of PVDF do As Solef ® PVDF resins are processed at temperatures
generally not exceed 250 °C (482 °F) during extrusion and varying from 200 to 240 °C (392 to 464 °F), equipment
since decomposition does not take place below 350 °C with material of similar construction to those used for
(662 °F), a safety margin of roughly 100 °C (212 °F) is processing PVC and polyolefins is adequate. For intensive
observed for homopolymer. This safety margin is slightly processing of PVDF, the use of more corrosion resistant
reduced with VF2-CTFE copolymers. Nevertheless, materials is more appropriate.
these products are processed without problems at For more detailed information it is recommended that the
temperatures lower than 250 °C (482 °F). fabricator consults with the local Solvay Specialty
Polymers representative.
General Considerations
Head – Die
Handling and Storage
A pressure gauge and temperature gauge should be
Drying is unnecessary as the resin does not absorb
preferably installed in the head. Screen packs and a
water. The low water absorption inhibits the dissipation of
breaker plate can be used for additional backpressure and
frictional static charges. Consequently, the resin container
filtering (40/80/40 mesh/breaker plate).
should be covered at all times to prevent the deposition
of contaminants on the pellets or powder. When bringing In general, rounded angles are recommended for the
the resin from a colder room, the closed packing should die and any associated equipment. For the die and core
not be opened until the resin has gained the temperature material, corrosion resistant materials such as hard
of the processing room. This avoids condensing chromium plating or nickel plating, Duranickel (301),
atmospheric moisture on the pellets or powder. Hastelloy (276 °C), are recommended for the parts in
contact with the polymer. The use of low iron tooling
Extruder Type is especially useful with VF2-CTFE copolymers (Solef ®
A single screw extruder of the type used to process 30000 series), which show more sticking on the tooling.
polyolefin is preferred. The barrel can be polished or
machined with very small grooves. The barrel-screw
tolerance should be about 200 microns. Typical design
considerations are listed in the following Table.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 57

 Operating the Extruder Recommendations for Tube Extrusion
Set-Up Solef ® PVDF pipes are widely used in semiconductors
and CPI. For more information about optimal extrusion
Always use a clean extruder to avoid contamination.
conditions, contact your Solvay Specialty Polymers
Temperature Profile representative.
A typical temperature profile for set up is shown in the
following Table: General Recommendations
for Other Types of Extrusion
Zone 1 180 – 200 °C (356 – 392 °F) Films, Sheets, Plates
Zone 2 200 – 220 °C (392 – 428 °F) Solef ® PVDF can be extruded using a flat die to make
Zone 3 210 – 230 °C (410 – 446 °F) films, sheets and plates from 10 – 20 μm up to about 1 cm.
Zone 4 210 – 230 °C (410 – 446 °F) Thin films are extruded onto a standard chill roll. The rapid
Breaker 220 – 240 °C (428 – 464 °F) chilling gives very small dimension crystallites and a high
Head 220 – 240 °C (428 – 464 °F) proportion of amorphous polymer phase, so the film is
remarkably transparent.
Die 220 – 240 °C (428 – 464 °F)
During production, the film has a tendency to accumulate
Melt temperatures should be 200 – 240 °C (392 – 464 °F). static electricity. The usual precautions are enough to
If the extrudate exhibits a yellow or brown coloration, it ensure its removal. Non-oriented films can also be blow
means that the melt temperature is too hot. It is generally extruded.
advised to keep the melt temperature as low as possible For sheets regularity of thickness is ensured by
to avoid degradation. calendering and keeping a small bank at the entrance of
the first two rolls which must be heated to between 110
Stopping – Restarting
and 120 °C (230 and 248 °F).
When the extrusion of Solef ® PVDF is stopped, the
following recommendations should be observed For sheet lining applications, PVDF sheets can be backed
depending on the duration of the stoppage: during extrusion – calendering using cloth of glass fiber or
synthetic fibers, which are selected for adhesion and heat
0 – 0.5 hours: Maintain the set temperatures forming.

0.5 – 2 hours: Decrease the set temperatures Typical temperature profiles for film extrusion are here
to 180 ºC (356 °F) below reported in Table 47.
> 2 hours: Stop the heating
The manufacture of wire coating is carried out with
conventional techniques. The melt temperature can be in
Before restarting, reset the set temperatures to normal. the range 220 – 250 °C (428 – 482 °F) depending on the
Start extrusion again when the melt temperature is speed of the process.
> 200 ºC (392 °F). Please consider that VF2-CTFE
copolymers (Solef ® 30000 series) have a lower thermal The head must be profiled with care, avoiding any
stability, and hence should be purged with homopolymer stagnant areas or sudden changes of direction. The
before stopping the extruder. method used should be by drawing a pipe onto the wire
Contact us for more detailed information. and the conventional draw down ratio can be defined as
the ratio between the exit section of the die and the final
Cleaning section of the insulation on the wire.
At the end of an extrusion program (or if problems of The material should be drawn and cooled immediately,
degradation occurs), purge with a thermo-stable, highly usually in a water bath.
viscous, pure polymer whose processing is compatible
with PVDF (e.g. PE, PP). Never burn PVDF wastes. Filaments
Do not clean pieces in a salt bath. Physical cleaning Solef ® PVDF can also be extruded to produce mono- and
of screw and barrel has to be done (it is advisable to multi-filaments. Draw down ratios are generally quite low
use brass tooling). Physically cleaned screw, die and and the melt temperature range can be between 200 and
core can be put into an ultrasonic bath, filled with 250 °C (392 and 482 °F).
dimethylacetamide and heated up to 60 °C (140 °F)
(immersion time: 1 hour) under sufficient venting (due to
toxicity of solvent).

58 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Table 47: Typical temperature profiles for film extrusion

Homopolymers Copolymers
Solef ® Solef ® Solef ® Solef ®
Processing Conditions Units 1008 and 6008 1010 and 6010 21508 31508
Extruder Zone 1 °C ( °F) 190 (374) 190 (374) 160 (320) 190 (374)
temperature profile Zone 2 °C ( °F) 210 (410) 230 (446) 180 (356) 210 (410)
Zone 3 °C ( °F) 220 (428) 230 (446) 200 (392) 220 (428)
Zone 4 °C ( °F) 230 (446) 230 (446) 210 (410) 230 (446)
Die °C ( °F) 230 (446) 230 (446) 210 (410) 230 (446)
Chill-roll temperature °C ( °F) 95 (203) 95 (203) 70 (158) 25 (77)

Recommendations for General Recommendations Temperature

Injection Molding Verify the temperature of the mold cavities using a
temperature probe.
Equipment Plasticizing Unit
A conventional polyolefin screw extruder type can be Check the melt temperature using a temperature probe in a
employed. volume of melt, shot on an insulator (a glove, cardboard, etc.).

Nozzle Shot Volume

An open nozzle should be used. Set the initial cooling time and a zero holding time and
pressure.
Mold
Inject incomplete parts by gradually increasing the shot
Hot channels can lead to stagnation at high temperature, volume using an average to high injection speed. When
which could induce degradation problems. For this reason the mold is almost filled (90 to 95 %), set the initial holding
Solvay Specialty Polymers would not recommend the pressure and gradually increase the holding time.
use of hot channels. Nevertheless they are used in the
industry. In this way, the end of the filling is done under constant
pressure and part over-packing is avoided.
The shrinkage of PVDF injected parts is 2 – 3 %. The mold
has to be designed in order to account for that shrinkage. Holding Phase
It is recommended to heat the mold and let PVDF pieces Adjust the holding phase parameters to obtain a constant
cool slowly, while applying a sufficient hold pressure. This part weight and the required dimensional stability.
assures a complete filling and strong weld line (almost
100 % of properties achievable on the weld line). The Cooling
optimum mold temperature is 60 – 90 °C (140 – 194 °F). The cooling time depends on the part geometry. Gradually
Also higher temperatures are possible. The holding adjust the cooling time until the optimal cycle time is
pressure should be close to the injection pressure. If lower obtained.
shrinkage than 2 – 3 % is required, a reinforced grade
should be used. Shrinkage
Shrinkage governs a large range of final properties or
Processing Parameters
defects: size tolerances, internal stresses, voids, sinks
Temperature profile: marks, etc.

Feeding zone 190 °C (374 °F) The linear shrinkage is 2 – 3 %, but the real value is the
Compression zone 200 – 220 °C (392 – 428 °F)
volumetric shrinkage. It depends on mold geometry, filling
characteristics and rheological properties.
Metering zone 200 – 240 °C (392 – 464 °F)
Nozzle zone 200 – 240 °C (392 – 464 °F) Annealing
Melt temperature 200 – 240 °C (392 – 464 °F) In order to release internal stresses, the parts can be
Screw rotation speed 3 – 10 m/min (tangent speed)
annealed at 150 °C (302 °F) with slow heating and cooling.
A good starting base for annealing time at 150 °C is 1/2 h
Back pressure 5 – 20 bar (72 – 290 psi)
for 1 cm thickness (1 h for 2 cm, etc.).
(plastification)
Injection pressure 600 – 1,500 bar (8,700 – 21,000 psi) Safety
Hold‑on pressure 600 – 1,500 bar (8700 – 21,000 psi) Stopping – Restarting: if the material remained a long
time at high temperature, make the first injection outside
Injection speed: low (to avoid shear), but quick enough to the mold, in order to check that the resin has not turned
fill the mold before crystallization occurs. yellow.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 59

 Recommendations for Compression Second Step: Molten Cake Compression
and Transfer Molding Melting inside the mold
In every field where Solef PVDF are used (chemical
®
In this case, the mold temperature is maintained at 210 °C
industry, electronic industry, …) thick parts may be needed (410 °F) throughout the compression period.
to build complete installations. Such thick items can be
An example of cycle is reported hereafter (see also Fig. 62).
machined from thick semifinished rod or block. These can
be either extruded or compression molded from pellets.
1. Granules preheating At 150 °C (302 °F) 90 min in
This last method is quite easy but experience has shown 2 cm layers in a ventilated oven
that a carefully designed procedure is needed.
2. Mold preheating At 210 °C (410 °F) 60 min

General Considerations 3. Granules melted 30 min/cm thickness at 210 °C

(410 °F) with no pressure
An adequate viscosity of the employed grade has to (minimum 60 min)
be chosen so that flowing out of the mold (flashing) is
4. Stepwise pressure Molten cake pressing
minimized during compression. For this reason, high increase lasting 15 min for every cm
viscosity resins are used. thickness at 210 °C (410 °F)

The process has to be carried out in a way to obtain color 5. Quick cooling down Quick cooling down to 140 °C
(284 °F) and plateau maintained
homogeneity and no voids in the final semifinished item.
30 min/cm thickness at 140 °C
(284 °F), under maximum pressure
Process Description
6. Slow cooling down From 140 ° (284°F) to 50 °C
Basically, compression molding comprises three steps: (122 °F) 60 min/cm thickness
• Heating and melting the granules under maximum pressure.

• Molten cake compression

• Cooling Figure 62: Example of sheet compression molding –
Sheet thickness of 1 cm
Two methods are usually proposed in the first step: melting
of granules inside the mold or outside the mold.
Mould temperature or pressure

250
Heating
First Step: Heating and Melting the Granules 200
Preheating Cooling
150
Melting inside the mold
Temperature [°C]
(usually up to 4 cm thickness) 100
Pressure [bar]
The required amount of PVDF granules can be melted 50
directly in the preheated mold. Preheating temperature 0
of the mold should be 210 °C (410 °F). Make sure that 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
preheating period is long enough to obtain adequate and Time [min]
stable temperature all over the mold surfaces.

Preheat the granules to 150 °C (302 °F) before filling the

Melting outside the mold
mold.
In this case, the mold should be preheated at 150 °C
The melting time in the mold must be sufficient to melt all (302 °F) and maintained at that temperature throughout
the granules, even in the middle of the layer, before any the compression period. The way of setting up the
compression. Sheets up to 4 cm thick can be produced by pressure is the same as with the first method.
this way. Above 4 cm, melting time would be too long and
the color could be too dark. The second method is then Note: If the mold clearance is not small enough, some
preferred: melting outside the mold in order to reduce the molten resin may flow out of the mold when the pressure
melting time. is too high. In this case, the maximum pressure applied
during compression step should be reduced. Higher
Melting outside the mold (for all thicknesses) pressure should then be applied afterwards, after a few
The granules can be melted in a ventilated oven at about minutes, when a thin skin is cooled down the surface
210 °C (410 °F). The molten cake is then transferred in the sealing the openings.
preheated mold. Make sure that the granules are
completely molten before being transferred and pressed.

Melting of the resin is also possible by using an extruder.

The melt is then transferred in the preheated mold as
previously described.

This way is indicated to obtain the best semi-finished items.

60 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide

Third Step: Cooling Machining
The cooling step is the same for both methods (melting of Semi-finished articles in Solef ® PVDF can be machined
granules inside the mold or outside the mold). without any special problem, employing the same
techniques and equipment which are used with
Pressure: Pressure must be maintained at the maximum
polyamides.
value throughout the cooling period (at least 100
bar/1,451 psi, ideally 150 bar/2,176 psi), down to about
50 °C (122 °F). The top force must be deep enough to Welding
take up the shrinkage during cooling and to prevent void Items produced from all non-reinforced grades of Solef ®
formation. PVDF can be easily assembled using standard welding
methods, such as:
Temperature: Decrease the mold temperature down to
140 °C (284 °F) and keep it constant for a certain time. By • Hot air welding with welding rod
maintaining this plateau, excessive internal stresses can • Butt welding
be avoided. The duration of the plateau is a compromise • Heat-sealing
between internal stress minimization and yellowing. It • Ultrasonic
should be at least 30 minutes per cm thickness.
• IR welding
The further cooling time from 140 to 50 °C (284 to 122 °F)
is again the same compromise as too quick cooling would Hot air welding
generate high temperature gradients and, as a The parts to be welded are profiled. After cleaning, they
consequence, high internal stresses. are clamped in place. The air is heated in the hot air gun.
The air temperature taken at 5 mm from the end of the
Do not forget that when the sheet skin is at 50 °C (122 °F),
nozzle can be around 350 °C (662 °F). The melting rod is
the core may still be very hot, that is why pressure must
inserted into the bevel maintaining a continuous vertical
be maintained for several hours. With such a long cooling
pressure of 0.2 – 0.4 bar (2.9 – 5.8 psi).
time, annealing should not be necessary.
The welding factor, which is generally defined as the ratio
Equipment Required – Mold between the strength of the weld and the strength outside
The mold should have adequate size and sufficiently fine the welded zones, gives values between 0.8 and 0.9.
clearance to prevent excessive flowing out of the mold
during the molten resin compression. Butt welding
The melting parts are heated by pressing onto a metal
It should have top, bottom and side heating and cooling
heater which is held at 250 – 270 °C (482 – 518 °F) and
devices. These should be separately monitored to allow
which has been surface treated (usually with PTFE) to
the top and bottom temperatures to be kept equal and
minimize adhesion. The ideal pressure on the hot surface
to allow a slower cooling rate for the sides, the top and
is between 0.5 – 0.6 bar (7 – 8 psi) and the time should
bottom surfaces. The mold should also be equipped to
be sufficient for the fusion of the material to a depth of
control the temperature of each face of the mold.
4 – 5 mm at the contact surface. Theheating unit is then
PTFE, PET or FEP film may be useful to prevent PVDF removed and contact is made under a pressure of ideally
resin sticking on the mold inside walls. 0.6 – 0.8 bar (8 – 11 psi).

Welding factors obtained by this technique are generally

Equipment Required – Press
between 0.9 and 1.
The press should be able to reach at least 50 bar (725
psi), ideally up to 150 bar (2,176 psi). NOTE: All the information given in these pages can only be
considered as examples for processing of Solef ® PVDF.
Equipment Required – Oven Please contact Solvay Specialty Polymers for detailed
The oven should be ventilated to prevent temperature information.
gradients. Temperature must be precisely controlled.

Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 61

62 \ Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide
Solef® PVDF Design & Processing Guide / 63
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Neither Solvay Specialty Polymers nor any of its affiliates makes any warranty, express or implied, including merchantability or fitness for use, or accepts any liability in connection with this product,
related information or its use. Some applications of which Solvay’s products may be proposed to be used are regulated or restricted by applicable laws and regulations or by national or international
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