PFA
ASTM D3307 · ISO 12086 · also Hyflon PFA, Perfluoroalkoxy
PFA (Teflon PFA, ASTM D3307) is a melt-processable copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE) that keeps almost all of PTFE's chemical resistance, 260 °C continuous rating and ultra-low dielectric loss while being injection mouldable, extrudable, film-blowable and suitable for transfer-moulded linings.
Values for the High Purity (Semiconductor) condition
PFA grades and fills
PFA is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. High Purity (Semiconductor) is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Injection-molding grade | Pick for thin-wall or complex injection-molded fittings and valve bodies where flow length matters more than ultimate toughness. | 12 | 26 | 300 | 59 Shore D |
General purpose unfilled/natural resin | Standard industrial PFA for chemical-plant linings, hose, gaskets and general moldings where semiconductor purity is not required. | 13 | 28 | 300 | 60 Shore D |
High Purity (Semiconductor)Default HP/HP Plus grade, ultra-low extractable metals | Choose for wafer-fab wet-chemical tubing, fittings, valve liners, bottles and quartz-substitute vessels where ppb-level metal and ion extractables matter. | 14 | 30 | 330 | 60 Shore D |
Rotolining / powder coating grade | Micronised or pelletised very-high-MW resin for pinhole-free rotolined vessels, pipe spools and pump/valve linings. | 14 | 30 | 350 | 60 Shore D |
Antistatic / conductive carbon-filled PFA | Carbon-black or carbon-fibre loaded PFA for static-dissipative chemical hose liners, fuel/solvent handling and semiconductor tools where charge build-up is a hazard. | 16 | 21 | 150 | 63 Shore D |
20% glass-fibre reinforced PFA compound | Compounded PFA for wear parts, seats and bushings needing higher stiffness, lower creep and reduced thermal expansion; loses transparency and some chemical purity. | 20 | 24 | 25 | 65 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PFA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT | Extrusion / wire-and-cable and tubing grade | Supply form |
FDA | Food-contact / pharmaceutical compliant grade | Certification |
What is PFA?
PFA (Teflon PFA, ASTM D3307) is a melt-processable copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE) that keeps almost all of PTFE's chemical resistance, 260 °C continuous rating and ultra-low dielectric loss while being injection mouldable, extrudable, film-blowable and suitable for transfer-moulded linings. Melt strength is high enough for pore-free linings and high-purity tubing, and it is translucent with slightly better creep resistance than PTFE. Strength and stiffness are low (30 MPa tensile, 330 % elongation), thermal expansion is large, resin cost is high, and processing above 300 °C releases corrosive and toxic decomposition products. FEP is the lower-temperature, lower-cost alternative. PFA has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 90°C (194 °F). PFA has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 330% and the elastic modulus is 0.6 GPa (0.087 Msi).
What is PFA used for?
- High-purity semiconductor tubing and fittings
- Chemical process pipe and vessel linings
- Semiconductor wet-process parts
- Valve and pump components
- Wire and cable insulation
- Transparent film and sight tubes
- Laboratory and pharmaceutical fluid handling
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 100/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 99/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.02%, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High mold shrinkage — 4.2%, worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 12 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), worse than 84% of polymer grades
PFA properties
Typical room-temperature values for PFA-High Purity (Semiconductor); bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PFA has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 90°C (194 °F).
Mechanical13
PFA has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 330% and the elastic modulus is 0.6 GPa (0.087 Msi).
Thermal11
PFA is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 130 µm/m·K (72.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PFA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (100/100), better than 100% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PFA takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PFA's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PFA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PFA
Is PFA easy to machine?
Machines like PTFE: very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with light feed and generous coolant, allow for large springback and 4–5× steel thermal expansion; anneal near 260 °C before finish cuts on precision parts.
Can PFA be welded?
Fully fusion weldable by hot-gas, butt-fusion, IR or flare/heat-forming above 350 °C using PFA filler; keep tooling clean and use inert purge to avoid corrosive decomposition products.
Can PFA be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould/extrude at 350–400 °C melt with corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/Xaloy 306) screws and barrels, mould 150–220 °C, and design for 3–5% shrinkage plus generous venting; rotolining and transfer moulding use low-MFR grades.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to PFA. Every PFA part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair78 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
PFA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE)comonomer giving melt processability; MFA variants use PMVE instead | 0.5 – 5 | 2 |
| tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)backbone monomer | ≥ 95 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PFA?
Cannot be painted, bonded or printed without surface treatment — use sodium-naphthalene etch, plasma or corona for adhesion; parts are naturally non-stick, low-friction and need no protective coating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Organic Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PFA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D3307
- ISO
- 12086
- Trade names
- Hyflon PFAPerfluoroalkoxyTeflon PFA
How much does PFA cost?
PFA is a specialty-cost polymer ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PFA — frequently asked
What is PFA used for?
PFA is typically used for high-purity semiconductor tubing and fittings, chemical process pipe and vessel linings, semiconductor wet-process parts, valve and pump components, wire and cable insulation and transparent film and sight tubes. In short: corrosion-proof chemical expert.
What is the yield strength of PFA?
PFA has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PFA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Machines like PTFE: very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with light feed and generous coolant, allow for large springback and 4–5× steel thermal expansion; anneal near 260 °C before finish cuts on precision parts.
Can PFA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Fully fusion weldable by hot-gas, butt-fusion, IR or flare/heat-forming above 350 °C using PFA filler; keep tooling clean and use inert purge to avoid corrosive decomposition products.
What surface finishes work on PFA?
Cannot be painted, bonded or printed without surface treatment — use sodium-naphthalene etch, plasma or corona for adhesion; parts are naturally non-stick, low-friction and need no protective coating.
Can PFA be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould/extrude at 350–400 °C melt with corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/Xaloy 306) screws and barrels, mould 150–220 °C, and design for 3–5% shrinkage plus generous venting; rotolining and transfer moulding use low-MFR grades.
What is the maximum service temperature of PFA?
PFA is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 285°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PFA High Purity (Semiconductor) and PFA GF20?
High Purity (Semiconductor) is the default condition — choose for wafer-fab wet-chemical tubing, fittings, valve liners, bottles and quartz-substitute vessels where ppb-level metal and ion extractables matter. GF20: compounded PFA for wear parts, seats and bushings needing higher stiffness, lower creep and reduced thermal expansion; loses transparency and some chemical purity. Yield strength is 14 MPa in High Purity (Semiconductor) versus 20 MPa in GF20.
How much does PFA cost?
PFA is a specialty-cost polymer ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in PFA?
Yes — PFA is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Teflon PFA fluoroplastic resin product and property information — Chemours (2023)
- Hyflon PFA/MFA product data sheets — Syensqo (Solvay Specialty Polymers) (2022)
- Neoflon PFA grade list and processing guide — Daikin Industries (2022)
- ASTM D3307 Standard Specification for Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Resin Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector fluoropolymer datasheets — CAMPUS Plastics / UL (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.