PVDF piping can be used continuously from -40°C to 150°C and is commonly used to handle corrosive chemicals like chlorine, acids, and salts. It can be joined through various methods like socket fusion, butt fusion, flanges, and threads. Certain grades of PVDF have regulatory approvals for food and water contact and low flame/smoke ratings. It has also been used in nuclear facilities and various chemical processing industries due to its chemical resistance and durability.
1. PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)
What is the minimum and maximum use temperature for PVDF Industrial
Pressure Piping?
Under supported conditions and using a chemical compatibility chart, PVDF can
be used continuously up to 150C and most manufacturers rate it to 140C in
chemicals that have little attack on PVDF. As it relates to cold weather, PVDF is
not brittle until ‐40C, but most recommendations are to use ‐30C as the lower
limit in case there is some type of impact that occurs on the system. Flexible
PVDF copolymers generally do better at very low temperatures compared to
PVDF homopolymers but they can all handle relatively cold weather.
2. What are the most common chemicals handled by
PVDF that attack less expensive materials?
It is common to use PVDF piping to handle hot
Chlorine, Methyl Chloroform, Hydrochloric Acid, Salt
Water, Chlorobenzene, Sodium Hypochlorite (pH < 12),
Sugars, Sulfuric Acid (97 % and less), Chlorinated Salts,
Phosphoric Acid, Hydrofluoric Acid, Metallic Chlorides,
Acid Mixtures, Bromine, Hydrobromic Acid, Bromo‐
benzene, Brominated Salts, Iodine, Salicylic Acid,
Methane Sulfonic Acid, Acetic Acid (<50%), Methyl
Alcohol, Chromic Acid, Nitric Acid, Deionized Water,
Ozone, Biodiesel, Bioethanol, Hydrocarbon and alcohol
based fuels and mixtures.
3. Can PVDF piping be steam
cleaned?
Studies have been
published that after over 50
steam cycles at 127C, PVDF
piping had no change in
properties versus a control
sample. It is common to
subject PVDF piping to low
pressure steam in bio–
pharma applications.
4. What joining methods are readily available
for PVDF piping systems?
Generally PVDF pipe is joined either
mechanically or by fusion welding. PVDF
systems are offered by several pipe
manufacturers in socket fusion, butt fusion,
beadless butt fusion (BCF Bead Crevice
Fusion), infrared fusion, electrofusion,
flanged mechanical, threaded mechanical,
fiberglass reinforced flanged, and threaded.
5. What food and water regulatory listings
are available for PVDF?
Certain grades of PVDF are listed by NSF
for NSF‐51 (hot food contact) and NSF‐61
(hot potable water).
Certain grades comply with USP Class 6
testing.
Certain grades comply with Sanitary 3A
testing.
Certain grades comply with FDA Title 21
CFR 177.2510 and CFR 177.2600 for
repeated use with food contact. There
may be other listings and it is good to just
contact the manufacturers of PVDF for
advice.
6. What flame and smoke testing listings are available for
PVDF?
Certain grades of PVDF have FM 4910 listing for
Semiconductor Facilities. Certain grades of PVDF are
listed to UL 2024 for plenum rated raceway
conduits. Certain grades of PVDF are listed to ASTM E84
25/50 rating tested in sheet form (one listed product
even has a 0/0 rating), and have achieved a 0/20, 5/40
rating tested as pipe geometry with the tunnel full in
width and length as designed in the test with no addition
of water or other potentially extinguishing
media. Certain grades of PVDF comply with 25/50 rating
for ULC S102.2. Certain grades of PVDF are used by
companies that make listed wire and cable products for
plenum areas in buildings. PVDF Foams with density as
low as 0.03 specific gravity have passed ASTM E84 25/50
rating and have achieved FM 4910 listing. There may be
other listings, and it is good to just contact the
manufacturer for written confirmation.
7. Can PVDF pipe be exposed to nuclear radiation?
PVDF has been used up to 1000 mega‐rads of
radiation exposure by government laborato‐
ries. There is much documentation about the use
of PVDF in nuclear reclamation facilities.
What typical industries use PVDF piping to
handle chemical processing?
The following industries use PVDF piping
systems: Pulp & Paper, Chlor‐Alkali, Metal
Preparation, Petrochemical, Food & Beverage,
Pharmaceutical /Biotech, Wastewater, Pesticides,
Fertilizer, Semiconductor /Electronics, Institutional
(Schools, Colleges and Universities), Brominated
Chemicals, Marine, and General Chemical
Handling.
8. What is the abrasion resistance of PVDF?
Reported Tabor Abrasion Resistance shows PVDF to
compare favorably with Nylon and UHMW‐PE. This is over
2 times more resistant than many commodity polymers
and 100 times more resistant than PTFE.
How resistant to sunlight is PVDF?
PVDF is very resistant to sunlight. It is commonly used in
Solar Panels as a 40 year life protective film, long life paint
finishes for tall buildings and airports, and outdoor wiring
and piping.
What final products are readily available in PVDF to
compliment piping systems? Flexible tubing, fittings,
films, coated ducting, pumps, nozzles, flowmeters, valves,
tanks, membranes, fabrics, dump tower packing, filter
housings and nuts & bolts are readily available in stock for
making a complete chemical handling system from PVDF.