THV221
Grade
also Dyneon THV
Pick when maximum flexibility, lowest processing temperature and co-extrusion with polyolefins/TPU are required and service stays below ~90 °C.
Values for the THV221 condition
Other THV grades and fills
THV is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at THV.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
intermediate melting grade (Tm ≈ 155 °C) | Balance of flexibility and heat resistance for multilayer fuel/chemical hose liners bonded to elastomers or polyamide. | 9 | 22 | 550 | 49 Shore D |
higher-melting grade (Tm ≈ 185–190 °C) | Use where higher continuous service temperature and stiffness are needed while keeping melt processability and bondability; also offered as high-melt-strength X versions. | 13 | 27 | 500 | 58 Shore D |
THV221This page low-melting, softest grade (Tm ≈ 115–120 °C) | Pick when maximum flexibility, lowest processing temperature and co-extrusion with polyolefins/TPU are required and service stays below ~90 °C. | — | 19 | 600 | 44 Shore D |
THV500Default general-purpose extrusion/molding grade (Tm ≈ 165 °C) | Default THV: best all-round balance of clarity, flexibility, chemical resistance and processability for tubing, film and wire jacketing. | — | 25 | 500 | 54 Shore D |
highest-melting, stiffest grade (Tm ≈ 225 °C) | Choose for the hottest THV service and best barrier/stiffness, e.g. high-temperature fuel hose liners and semiconductor tubing, accepting higher processing temperature. | — | 30 | 480 | 63 Shore D |
What is THV221?
THV221 is THV in the THV221 grade — pick when maximum flexibility, lowest processing temperature and co-extrusion with polyolefins/TPU are required and service stays below ~90 °C. THV221 has a tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.76 ksi), weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 600% and the elastic modulus is 0.07 GPa (0.0102 Msi). THV221 has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 0°C (32 °F). THV500 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; THV221 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 600%, better than 93% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), worse than 97% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 3%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 13 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
THV221 properties
Typical room-temperature values for THV221; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are THV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
THV221 has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 0°C (32 °F).
Mechanical6
THV221 has a tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.76 ksi), weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 600% and the elastic modulus is 0.07 GPa (0.0102 Msi).
Thermal9
THV221 is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 130 µm/m·K (72.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
THV221 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil).
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of THV221 takes about 230 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
THV221's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with THV221
Is THV easy to machine?
Soft and low-modulus — machine only for prototypes with very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light cuts and firm workholding to avoid smearing and deflection.
Can THV be welded?
Readily heat-sealed, hot-gas, impulse or IR welded; the VDF content also gives good melt adhesion to polyamides, TPU and polyolefins in co-extrusion (often with tie layers).
Can THV be formed, bent or molded?
Melt processes on standard PVDF-class equipment (extrusion, blown/cast film, injection, blow molding) at 200–300 °C depending on grade; use corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/nickel-alloy) screws and dies and purge to avoid HF-generating degradation.
What surface finishes work on THV?
Low surface energy resists printing and bonding — corona, plasma or sodium-naphthalene treatment is needed before painting or adhesive bonding; the natural resin is highly transparent and needs no polishing.
THV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)increases with higher-melting grades | 35 – 72 | 60 |
| hexafluoropropylene (HFP)lowers crystallinity, adds clarity/flexibility | 10 – 30 | 20 |
| vinylidene fluoride (VDF)provides adhesion and melt processability; raises dielectric constant | ≥ 10 (balance) | — |
THV221 — frequently asked
What is THV221 used for?
THV221 is typically used for flexible fluoropolymer tubing, heat-shrink and release films, fuel-cell membranes/laminates and coextruded barrier layers. In short: clearest flexible fluoropolymer; lowest melt temperature fluoroplastic; bonds to non-fluoro polymers.
What is the tensile strength of THV221?
THV221 has a typical tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.76 ksi) — weaker than 70% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is THV221 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Soft and low-modulus — machine only for prototypes with very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light cuts and firm workholding to avoid smearing and deflection.
Can THV221 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily heat-sealed, hot-gas, impulse or IR welded; the VDF content also gives good melt adhesion to polyamides, TPU and polyolefins in co-extrusion (often with tie layers).
What surface finishes work on THV221?
Low surface energy resists printing and bonding — corona, plasma or sodium-naphthalene treatment is needed before painting or adhesive bonding; the natural resin is highly transparent and needs no polishing.
Can THV221 be formed, bent or molded?
Melt processes on standard PVDF-class equipment (extrusion, blown/cast film, injection, blow molding) at 200–300 °C depending on grade; use corrosion-resistant (Hastelloy/nickel-alloy) screws and dies and purge to avoid HF-generating degradation.
What is the maximum service temperature of THV221?
THV221 is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between THV500 and THV610?
THV500 is the default condition — default THV: best all-round balance of clarity, flexibility, chemical resistance and processability for tubing, film and wire jacketing. THV610: use where higher continuous service temperature and stiffness are needed while keeping melt processability and bondability; also offered as high-melt-strength X versions.
Sources
- Dyneon THV Fluorothermoplastic product data sheets (THV 221/415/500/610/815) — 3M / Dyneon (2021)
- Fluoroplastics, Volume 2: Melt Processible Fluoropolymers — Elsevier / William Andrew (S. Ebnesajjad) (2015)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector fluoropolymer datasheets — CAMPUS / UL (2023)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D2240 / D257 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
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.