AGRU material pyramid

Materials for every requirement

The industrial application in question determines which material offers the best possible economic efficiency and operational reliability. AGRU's plastics experts will help you select the best plastic for your application. AGRU semi-finished products made of PFA and FEP are resistant to even the most aggressive media, meaning that almost every corrosion problem can be solved. Standard materials and plastic materials such as PE and PP are ideal for transporting water, compressed air, gas or chemicals. It is essential to use high-performance plastics such as PVDF and ECTFE for applications with aggressive media. Having said this, only ultra-high-performance materials such as PFA and FEP offer the highest media and temperature resistance.

PFA

The king of plastics

PFA is the highest grade plastic that AGRU has in its portfolio. It combines the outstanding chemical properties of Teflon® (PTFE) with the mechanical and technical properties of polyfluoroethylene propylene (FEP). It is suitable for an extremely broad spectrum of applications thanks to its resistance to almost any medium and its extremely wide temperature range of -190 °C to +260 °C, meaning it can be offered as a solution even for extreme chemicals at high temperatures. PFA products are also available in HP (high purity) quality. HP quality means it can be used for applications in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and food industries that require high purity levels.

FEP

Highest corrosion resistance

FEP, which belongs to the fully fluorinated plastics group, offers outstanding corrosion resistance. FEP performs reliably over the enormous range of temperatures between -190 °C and +205 °C, and can therefore be used in numerous industrial applications. Flexibility, thermoformability and optimum welding properties mean that AGRU FEP products can be manufactured reliably at low costs. FEP is resistant to virtually any chemical, and the plastic is also extremely weather and radiation resistant.

PVDF

Ideally suited for high-purity use cases

AGRU PVDF is a highly crystalline non-reinforced plastic that combines good mechanical, thermal and electrical properties with excellent chemical resistance. The good radiation resistance it additionally offers makes this plastic material ideal for high-end applications in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, life science and photovoltaic industries. PVDF can be processed without additives, which gives it excellent leaching behaviour. PVDF UHP is manufactured under strictly controlled purity conditions using carefully selected raw materials. Fields of application for these products include pipeline systems, storage and transport tanks and apparatuses requiring high media purity and leaching behaviour standards. Electrically conductive PVDF-el ESD is used specifically in the electrical industry and explosion protection areas. PVDF Flex is characterised by its additional flexibility, especially for bonded systems on steel.

ECTFE

Almost unlimited chemical resistance

ECTFE plastics materials possess a unique combination of properties resulting from their chemical structure, which consists of a copolymer with ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene arranged alternately. ECTFE demonstrates excellent resistance to the corrosive influence of heat, strong radiation and weathering. The material has high impact resistance and exhibits virtually no property changes over a wide temperature range, making it particularly well-suited for demanding industrial applications. Its excellent welding properties and thermoplastic formability also enable simple and cost-saving processing, both in the workshop and on-site. Compared to PVDF, ECTFE offers improved chemical resistance, especially when exposed to lyes.

PE

Resistance to slow crack growth

AGRU plastic products made of PE100 RC are characterised by their resistance to slow crack growth, great toughness and very good chemical resistance, which supports use between -40 °C and +60 °C. Other characteristics include good wear resistance, excellent electrical insulation and high vibration damping. Adding special carbon black types (approx. 2%) ensures light and weather resistance. Electrically conductive polyethylene (PE-HD-el ESD) is a material that conducts electrical charges, due to the addition of conductive particles (carbon black); it is also stable when exposed to natural UV light. This makes it an excellent choice for transporting highly flammable media or dusts. PE-HD el ESD can also be used in areas where sparking from electrostatic charging must be prevented due to explosion protection requirements.

PP

Greater rigidity and temperature resistance

Polypropylene (PP) is a partly crystalline thermoplastic similar to PE-HD, but with higher stiffness, strength and hardness levels. It is also characterised by very good chemical resistance. Polypropylene can be used up to a maximum temperature of 95 °C. However, below freezing point, PP is very sensitive to impact (the use of plastic materials like this at temperatures below -5 °C should be avoided). PP is the ideal material for use in pickling plants, the chemicals industry and also for extremely aggressive wastewater, because chemicals at high temperatures are used in these areas. AGRU's product range includes various PP polymer types: PP homopolymer (PPH), PP random copolymer (PPR), PP copolymer (PPC), flame-retardant polypropylene (PPs) and flame-retardant, electrically conductive polypropylene (PPs-el ESD).

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PPs-el ESD and PE-HD-el ESD

Increased safety in hazardous environments

When filling, emptying, stirring, mixing, or spraying flammable media, the electrostatic charging of the pipeline must be prevented. If the pipeline passes through an explosive atmosphere, it can be ignited by a single spark discharge, causing an explosion. ESD plastics (Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive) provide additional safety by controlling and permanently dissipating electrostatic charges. They are used in chemical plants in areas where spark formation due to electrostatic charging must be prevented due to explosion protection requirements.