Application of HFP
Usage: Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) can be used to produce fluoroelastomer, fluoroplastic, fluoride fine chemical and firefighting agent.
1, HFP can be used to produce Fluoroelastomer (e.g. F26 and F246) by means of copolymerizing it with VDF and TFE. This kind of Fluoroelastomer is heat-resistant, oil-resistant and solvent-resistant, and it is widely used in automotive, aviation and petroleum industries.
2, HFP can be used to produce Fluoroplastic by means of copolymerizing it with VDF and TFE. This kind of Fluoroplastic is highly heat-resistant, oil-resistant, solvent-resistant and excellent dielectic. Fluoroplastic is widely used in aviation, electricity, home appliance especially in data communication and computer lines.
For example, Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) is a copolymer of TFE and HFP, it is called as F46, too. The properties of FEP copolymer are similar to those of PTFE, but its heat-resistance is not so good as PTFE’s. It can be used for a long term within the range of minus 85℃ to 205℃, while it works only for a short time within the range of minus 200℃ to 300℃. And its impact-strength, creep-resistance and low-temperature flexibility are better than PTFE’s. Its crystallinity varies according to the heat treatment temperature, making it easy to be processed and be formed.
3, Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) used as an Important Intermediate：
Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) can be obtained when Hexafluoropropylene reacts with element oxygen or hypochlorous acid salt or Hydrogen peroxide. HFPO is an important chemical intermediate of many fluoride polymer materials and fluoride fine chemicals, and it is main raw material of Perfluorinated Ether, soluble PTFE and Perfluorinated Acetone，Hexafluoroisopropanol，Perfluoromethyl vinyl ether and fluorine surfactant. It is used as a propellant for pharmaceutical aerosols, too.
Therefore, HFP is not only an important monomer, but an important chemical intermediate of many fluorine-containing materials. It is raw materials of fluoride surfactant, fabric finishing agent and leather treating agent etc.
4, HFP can be used to produce Heptafluoropropane (ie. R227 ea), which is new type of effective fire-fighting agent. R227ea will not threat atmosphere Ozone layer since its ODP is zero. It will be used more widely as fire-fighting agents of Halons are prohibited.
As a propellant for pharmaceutical aerosols, R227 has a great market. And it can be used as a refrigerant.