Appendix 4: Permeability of

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)*

4A.1 Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
(PCTFE)
CTFE is a homopolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene,
characterized by the following structure shown in
Figure 4A.1. The CAS number is #9002-83-9.
The addition of the one chlorine atom contributes
to lowering the melt viscosity to permit extrusion and
injection molding. It also contributes to the trans-
parency, the exceptional flow, and the rigidity
characteristics of the polymer. Fluorine is responsible
for its chemical inertness and zero moisture absorp-
tion. Therefore, PCTFE has unique properties. Its
resistance to cold flow, dimensional stability, rigidity,
low gas permeability, and low moisture absorption is
superior to any other fluoropolymer. It can be used at
low temperatures. Some products contain a small
amount of a comonomer.
Figure 4A.1 Chemical structure of PCTFE.
Manufacturers and trade names: Honeywell
AclarÒ, Arkema VOLTALEFÒ, Daikin Industries
NeoflonÒ CTFE.
Applications and uses: Industrial and electronics
packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and blister
packages; encapsulating film for clean room pack-
aging and electroluminescent lamps, military, and
industrial packaging as either a monolayer film or as
a chemical and moisture barrier in laminate struc-
tures (Tables 4A.1e4A.5).

Table 4A.1 Permeation of Water Vapor at 37.8  C and 100% Relative Humidity through Honeywell AclarÒ PCTFE
Film1
Grade 11A 11A 11A 22A 22C 22C 33C 33C
Sample thickness (mm) 0.015 0.0225 0.05 0.0375 0.05 0.125 0.0187 0.195
Source document units, 0.027 0.017 0.008 0.022 0.019 0.007 0.027 0.003
vapor transmission rate
(g/100 in2 day)
Normalized units, 0.0064 0.006 0.0063 0.013 0.015 0.014 0.008 0.009
vapor transmission rate
(g mm/m2 day)

Test method: ASTM F1249.

* Source: L. W. McKeen, Permeability Properties of Plastics and Elastomers, Third Edition, Pages 195e231, Elsevier,
Oxford, UK, 2012.

657
658 A PPENDIX 4: P ERMEABILITY OF P OLYCHLOROTRIFLUOROETHYLENE (PCTFE)

Table 4A.2 Permeation of Water Vapor at Different Temperatures and Relative Humidity through Honeywell
AclarÒ PCTFE Film2

AclarÒ Grade
Relative
Temperature Humidity SupRx UltRx UltRx UltRx
( C) (%) Rx20e Rx160 900 2000 3000 4000
Thickness (mm) 0.020 0.015 0.023 0.051 0.076 0.102

Source Document Units, Vapor Transmission Rate (g/m day)

25 60 0.0367 0.0510 0.0279 0.0188 0.0124 0.0093
30 60 0.0620 0.0930 0.0465 0.0388 0.0248 0.0155
40 75 0.2330 0.3260 0.2020 0.1020 0.0620 0.0481
37.8 100 0.2950 0.4190 0.2640 0.1190 0.0844 0.0651
2
Normalized Units, Vapor Transmission Rate (g mm/m day)
25 60 0.000734 0.000765 0.000642 0.000959 0.000942 0.000949
30 60 0.001240 0.001395 0.001070 0.001979 0.001885 0.001581
40 75 0.004660 0.004890 0.004646 0.005202 0.004712 0.004906
37.8 100 0.005900 0.006285 0.006072 0.006069 0.006414 0.006640
Test method: ASTM F1249.

Table 4A.3 Permeation of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrogen at 25  C through Honeywell AclarÒ PCTFE
Film3

AclarÒ Grade 33C 22C 22A

Carbon Carbon Carbon

Permeant gas Oxygen dioxide Oxygen Nitrogen dioxide Oxygen Nitrogen dioxide
Source document 7 16 15 2.5 40 12 2.5 30
units, permeability
coefficient
(cm2 mil/100 in2 day)
Normalized units, 2.8 6.3 5.9 1 15.7 4.7 1 11.8
permeability coefficient
(cm2 mm/m2 day atm)

Table 4A.4 Permeation of Gases through Daikin Industries NeoflonÒ CTFE Film4

Permeability Coefficient

Source Document Units Normalized Units

Permeant Gas (cm3 cm/cm2 s atm) 3 10L10 (cm3 mm/m2 day atm)
Nitrogen 0.18 0.16
Oxygen 1.5 1.3
Hydrogen 56.4 48.7
Carbon dioxide 2.9 2.5
A PPENDIX 4: P ERMEABILITY OF P OLYCHLOROTRIFLUOROETHYLENE (PCTFE) 659

Table 4A.5 Permeation of Gases through Arkema VoltalefÒ PCTFE Film5

Carbon Hydrogen
Nitrogen Oxygen Dioxide Hydrogen Sulfide Water Vapor
Temperature
( C) Source Document Units Permeability Coefficient, 3 10L10 (cm3 mm/cm2 s cm Hg)
0 0.07 0.35 3.2
25 0.05 0.4 1.4 9.8 1
50 0.3 1.4 2.4 24 0.35 10
75 0.91 5.7 15 2 28
100 100
3 2
Normalized Units Permeability Coefficient (cm mm/m day atm)
0 0.46 2.3 21
25 0.33 2.6 9.2 64 6.57
50 2.0 9.2 16 158 2.3 66
75 6.0 37 98 13 184
100 657

References 4. Product information, NeoflonÒ CTFE molding

powders, EG-71h. Daikin Industries; 2001.
1. AclarÒ data sheets. Honeywell; 2001. 5. VoltalefÒ PCTFE technical brochure. Arkema;
2. AclarÒ data sheets. Honeywell; 2009. 2004.
3. AclarÒ performance films, supplier technical
report (SFI-14 Rev. 9e89). Allied-Signal Engi-
neered Plastics; 1989.