PVDF · reinforced grade
PVDF-GF
Properties of the GF condition, compared with the other PVDF grades.
Use where stiffness, creep resistance under load and dimensional stability at 100–150 °C matter more than ductility and impact (pump housings, impellers, structural chemical hardware).
What is PVDF-GF?
PVDF-GF is PVDF in the GF grade — use where stiffness, creep resistance under load and dimensional stability at 100–150 °C matter more than ductility and impact (pump housings, impellers, structural chemical hardware). PVDF-GF has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi). PVDF-GF has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 96/100, better than 98% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 6 GPa (0.87 Msi), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.04%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), worse than 97% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
PVDF-GF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVDF-GF — 17 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PVDF grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical6
PVDF-GF has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F).
Mechanical16
PVDF-GF has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi).
Thermal11
PVDF-GF is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 35 µm/m·K (19.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PVDF-GF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 2×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PVDF-GF takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PVDF-GF's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 63% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PVDF grades and fills
PVDF is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PVDF overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for chemical piping, valves, fittings, tanks liners and machined stock shapes where full chemical/UV resistance and 150 °C service are needed.50 MPa tensile
- GFUse where stiffness, creep resistance under load and dimensional stability at 100–150 °C matter more than ductility and impact (pump housings, impellers, structural chemical hardware).85 MPa tensile
- FDAPick when the part contacts food, pharma fluids or UPW and needs FDA 21 CFR 177.2510 / USP Class VI / EU 10-2011 documentation; mechanicals equal the unfilled grade.50 MPa tensile
- ESDUse for high-purity chemical delivery tubing, fittings and wafer-handling parts where static build-up in flowing solvents or DI water must be bled away.42 MPa tensile
- COPOChoose for flexible tubing, film, liners, cable jacketing and battery binders where impact and low-temperature flexibility matter more than stiffness and peak service temperature.33 MPa tensile
Working with PVDF-GF
Is PVDF easy to machine?
Machines cleanly like a tough nylon with sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed and light feed; use coolant/air blast because low thermal conductivity plus a 172 °C melt causes smearing, and allow for stress relaxation on thin walls.
Can PVDF be welded?
Excellent hot-gas, butt-fusion, socket-fusion, IR and ultrasonic welding with PVDF filler rod (DVS 2207-15); joint efficiencies of 80–100 % are routine, but glass-filled grades weld poorly and adhesive bonding needs surface etch/plasma.
Can PVDF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % is unnecessary (very low moisture pick-up) but keep melt 210–250 °C, mould 60–110 °C, avoid contact with acetal/PE regrind or ammonia-based additives (dehydrofluorination), and design for 2–3 % shrinkage with generous gates and slow cooling.
What surface finishes work on PVDF?
Naturally UV- and weather-stable so no coating is required; surfaces can be flame/plasma/sodium-etch treated for printing or bonding, and parts can be machined-polished or bead-blasted but not plated.
PVDF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| fluorine (by mass of polymer)theoretical F content of -(CH2-CF2)- unit | 58 – 60 | 59 |
| glass fiberonly in GF variant | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| carbon blackonly in ESD/conductive variant | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| vinylidene fluoride (VDF, CH2=CF2) repeahomopolymer; copolymer grades contain 5–25 % HFP or CTFE comonomer | balance | — |
PVDF-GF — frequently asked
What is PVDF-GF used for?
PVDF-GF is typically used for high-purity chemical piping and fittings, valve bodies and diaphragms, pump bodies and impellers, semiconductor wet-bench fluid handling, pharmaceutical process tubing and tanks and battery binders and separators. In short: chemical resistant expert.
What is the yield strength of PVDF-GF?
PVDF-GF has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PVDF-GF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 63% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly like a tough nylon with sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed and light feed; use coolant/air blast because low thermal conductivity plus a 172 °C melt causes smearing, and allow for stress relaxation on thin walls.
Can PVDF-GF be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Excellent hot-gas, butt-fusion, socket-fusion, IR and ultrasonic welding with PVDF filler rod (DVS 2207-15); joint efficiencies of 80–100 % are routine, but glass-filled grades weld poorly and adhesive bonding needs surface etch/plasma.
What surface finishes work on PVDF-GF?
Naturally UV- and weather-stable so no coating is required; surfaces can be flame/plasma/sodium-etch treated for printing or bonding, and parts can be machined-polished or bead-blasted but not plated.
Can PVDF-GF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % is unnecessary (very low moisture pick-up) but keep melt 210–250 °C, mould 60–110 °C, avoid contact with acetal/PE regrind or ammonia-based additives (dehydrofluorination), and design for 2–3 % shrinkage with generous gates and slow cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVDF-GF?
PVDF-GF is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 165°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PVDF-GF?
Yes — PVDF-GF is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Kynar & Kynar Flex PVDF Performance Characteristics and Data — Arkema (2023)
- Solef PVDF Design & Processing Guide — Solvay Specialty Polymers (Syensqo) (2022)
- TECAFLON PVDF stock shape datasheet — Ensinger (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PVDF injection grades (ISO 527/75/180) — CWFG (2024)
- ASTM D3222 — Unmodified PVDF Molding Extrusion and Coating Materials — ASTM (2021)
- ISO 12086 — Fluoropolymer dispersions and moulding/extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- PVDF (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.