Compounding technology for Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers undoubtedly belong to the high-performance polymers. In 1938, Plunkett discovered the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by chance at DuPont.

The exceptional properties of fluoropolymers were quickly recognized and are still crucial for many high-tech applications. In addition to exceptionally good chemical resistance, they have excellent electrical and thermal properties as well as being nonflammable and difficult to wet and have the lowest coefficients of friction. Most of these properties are due to the fluorine atoms present in the polymer chain.

Fluorine is the most electronegative and most reactive nonmetal in the periodic table. After hydrogen, fluorine has the smallest atomic radius among the elements. In reaction with carbon, an extremely short and strong bond is formed, which determines the extraordinary properties of the fluoropolymers. Closing the product cycle for fluoropolymers allows the up-cycling of end-of-life products as well.

Low friction and a thermal properties make fluoropolymers ideal for use in frying pans

Fluoropolymers used in slide bearings with low friction and excellent thermal properties

Fluoropolymers for hose sealings due to ist thermal properties.

Fluoropolymers have excellent thermal properties and low friction coefficients suitable for frying pans

Syringe filtration membranes as an example for fluorinated rubber applications.

Excellent thermal stability make fluoropolymers ideal for cooking utensils.

Typical applications

Fluoropolymers can be divided into several subgroups:
The proportion of PTFE is about 52% of the total volume. Due to its high melt viscosity, PTFE cannot be processed thermoplastically. Fluorothermoplastics such as PVDF, PFA, FEP, etc. comprise about 36% of the product volume. The broad product group of fluorinated rubbers (FKM), which includes both the so-called bipolymers and terpolymers, forms the third subgroup with a total of 12%.

The two last-mentioned product groups are tailored to their respective applications by compounding. PTFE-containing aggregates can play a role in applications such as slide bearings.

The combination of process engineering expertise with the system-specific capabilities of the BUSS Kneader and metallurgical plant design knowledge allows the implementation of sophisticated solutions. This ranges from different proportions of conductive aggregates, and clean-room production for medical applications, to reinforcement with glass and carbon fibres for the highest mechanical loads.

Compounding requirements

The immediately effective gentle mixing processes and respective relaxation phases lead to excellent distributive mixing results, with optimal preservation of the internal structure of the conductive materials or length of fibres. The moderate shear rates of the BUSS Kneader ensure compounding in the permissible operating window without the temperature spikes that in alternative systems could lead to the formation of harmful by-products.

The design freedom of this system also makes it possible to respond specifically to the increasing viscosity in the process zones with appropriately chosen configurations. This allows customized control and regulation of the process conditions. In the two-stage BUSS Kneader system, compounding and pressure build-up are moreover consistently decoupled from each other. Thus, the compounding process, independently of pressure build-up, filtration and shaping, is optimized for the best possible results in terms of quality and throughput.

With BUSS Kneader compounding technology leadership, Buss is the ideal partner for developing and commercializing sustainable system solutions.

Fluoropolymers materials are difficult to wet and therefore suitable for water repellent surfaces.

Typical plant layout for fluoropolymers

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BUSS compounding systems for fluoropolymers offer the following specific benefits

High filler loadings
Filler loadings up to 90% are possible with Buss technology thanks to 2 or 3 feed openings, separate gravimetric feeding of filler, removal of trapped air by back venting, and excellent conveying efficiency. The moderate shear rates allow perfect handling of the highest viscosities at such high loadings.
Limited damage to polymer and high-structured fillers
The Buss Kneader’s uniform and moderate shear rates result in controlled shear and low temperature profiles. This guarantees better mechanical and electrical properties, improved flow characteristics, and lower consumption of expensive formulation components.
Uniform, moderate shear rates
A larger number of mixing cycles is achieved with the latest Buss multiple-flight Kneaders. The unique new screw designs enable maximized splitting and recombining of the compound mass, with numerous striations and excellent mixing over a very short process length.
Narrow temperature range
A narrow temperature range can be maintained with a Buss Kneader due to consistent and moderate shear rates. Therefore, the typically excessive temperature peaks of alternative systems are eliminated. This enables precise temperature control. Temperatures are monitored by thermocouples inserted in the mixing pins, which are surrounded by polymer along the barrel.
Precise temperature control
The Buss Kneader has been well known for precise temperature control since more than 6 decades. This is achieved via controlled energy input due to uniform, moderate shear rates and precise temperature monitoring by thermocouples mounted in pins along the barrel.

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