ECTFE WC
Grade
ASTM D3275 · also Halar
WC = wire & cable / plenum insulation grade
High-speed extrusion grade for plenum-rated data cable jacketing where low smoke and flame spread are required.
Values for the WC condition
Other ECTFE grades and fills
ECTFE is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ECTFE.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Powder coating / rotolining grade | Pick for 0.5–2 mm thick pinhole-free linings on steel tanks, scrubbers, ducts and pumps in acid/chlorine service. | 28 | 40 | 200 | 73 Shore D |
WCThis page Wire & cable / plenum insulation grade | High-speed extrusion grade for plenum-rated data cable jacketing where low smoke and flame spread are required. | 29 | 42 | 280 | 74 Shore D |
Conductive / antistatic (carbon-filled) grade | Carbon-black/carbon-fibre filled compound for static-dissipative tank linings and flammable-solvent handling. | 30 | 35 | 80 | 78 Shore D |
High-purity / semiconductor grade | Low-extractable, low-metal-ion resin for UPW and wet-bench fluid handling, filter housings and membrane supports. | 31 | 45 | 250 | 75 Shore D |
25% glass-fibre reinforced compound | Use where stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability of a fluoropolymer part matter more than ductility. | — | 60 | 6 | — |
What is ECTFE WC?
ECTFE WC is ECTFE in the WC grade — high-speed extrusion grade for plenum-rated data cable jacketing where low smoke and flame spread are required. ECTFE WC has a yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 71% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 280% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi). ECTFE WC has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 65°C (149 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 96/100, better than 98% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 280%, better than 80% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 11 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades
ECTFE WC properties
Typical room-temperature values for ECTFE WC; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ECTFE reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
ECTFE WC has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 65°C (149 °F).
Mechanical11
ECTFE WC has a yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 71% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 280% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
ECTFE WC is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
ECTFE WC is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 80 kV/mm (2,032 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (96/100), better than 98% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of ECTFE WC takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
ECTFE WC's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ECTFE WC
Is ECTFE easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp, high-rake carbide tools, high speed and low feed; the material is tough and gummy, so use coolant/air blast and expect springback on tight tolerances.
Can ECTFE be welded?
Readily fusion, hot-gas and extrusion welded (liners and sheet) at 280–320 °C; adhesive bonding requires plasma or chemical surface activation.
Can ECTFE be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould/extrude at 260–310 °C with corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/nickel-alloy) barrels and hot runners; shrinkage 1.5–3.5 %, sheet thermoforms at 180–230 °C, powder applied electrostatically then fused at 260–290 °C.
What surface finishes work on ECTFE?
Non-stick, low-energy surface — no paint or plating without corona/plasma treatment; pigmented or textured grades preferred over polishing, and coatings are spark-tested for pinholes.
ECTFE chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE)≈50 mol%, alternating copolymer | 78 – 82 | 80.6 |
| termonomer / stabilizerminor modifier in some commercial grades | 0 – 1 | — |
| ethylene≈50 mol% | ≥ 18 (balance) | — |
ECTFE WC — frequently asked
What is ECTFE WC used for?
ECTFE WC is typically used for tank and pipe interior linings, wire and cable jacketing, chemical process equipment coatings and battery separator films. In short: low-cost fluoropolymer lining; strong permeation barrier; electrostatically applied powder coating.
What is the yield strength of ECTFE WC?
ECTFE WC has a typical yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 71% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ECTFE WC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp, high-rake carbide tools, high speed and low feed; the material is tough and gummy, so use coolant/air blast and expect springback on tight tolerances.
Can ECTFE WC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily fusion, hot-gas and extrusion welded (liners and sheet) at 280–320 °C; adhesive bonding requires plasma or chemical surface activation.
What surface finishes work on ECTFE WC?
Non-stick, low-energy surface — no paint or plating without corona/plasma treatment; pigmented or textured grades preferred over polishing, and coatings are spark-tested for pinholes.
Can ECTFE WC be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould/extrude at 260–310 °C with corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/nickel-alloy) barrels and hot runners; shrinkage 1.5–3.5 %, sheet thermoforms at 180–230 °C, powder applied electrostatically then fused at 260–290 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of ECTFE WC?
ECTFE WC is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 180°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D3275 — Standard Specification for E-CTFE Fluoroplastic Molding, Extrusion, and Coating Materials — ASTM International (2019)
- Halar ECTFE Design & Processing Guide / grade data sheets — Solvay Specialty Polymers (Syensqo) (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics (fluoropolymers) — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector fluoropolymer property records — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
- Fluoroplastics, Volume 2: Melt Processible Fluoropolymers — Elsevier (Plastics Design Library) (2015)
- ECTFE/ETFE (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.