10 Expert Tips for High-Purity Fluid Systems

Industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and analytical instrumentation require absolute chemical purity. In these applications, even microscopic contamination from tubing can compromise yields or distort results.

Fluoropolymers like PFA and FEP are inherently:

• Non-leaching and non-reactive
• Ultrasmooth internally, minimizing particle entrapment
• Compatible with aggressive cleaning agents (e.g., peroxide, acids, solvents)

This makes them ideal for cleanroom-grade fluid transfer systems, where inertness and surface quality directly affect product performance.

Fluorotherm’s fluoropolymer tubing is chosen for its ability to withstand:

• Highly acidic or basic solutions (e.g., HF, HCl, NaOH)
• Organic solvents (e.g., acetone, toluene)
• Oxidizing agents (e.g., nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide)

The broad-spectrum chemical compatibility of PTFE and PFA, in particular, makes them near-universal in corrosive environments. According to data from Fluorotherm, PFA and FEP can be used safely with hundreds of aggressive substances at elevated temperatures-without degradation or structural compromise.

Fluoropolymer tubing maintains integrity across extreme temperatures:

• PTFE and PFA: up to 260°C (500°F)
• FEP: up to 205°C (400°F)
• PVDF: up to 140°C (284°F)

Unlike many plastics, these materials do not become brittle or creep under sustained thermal load, making them ideal for high-temperature reactors, steam lines, and heat exchange applications.

Fluoropolymer tubing is a key component in:

• Immersion and shell-and-tube heat exchangers for temperature-sensitive processes
• Recirculating loops in chemical delivery systems
• Precision metering systems in pharma and food production

For example, fluoropolymer heat exchanger coils, assembled from PFA or FEP tubing, are widely used in corrosive bath heating where metallic alternatives fail. These systems can withstand steam pressures up to 80 psig and temperatures exceeding 300°F, all while maintaining ultra-low contamination.

Fluorotherm offers custom-extruded tubing and coil geometries to meet specific OEM or end-user needs. Options include:

• Colored or striped tubing for media identification
• Flared, flanged, or bonded tube ends
• Filled or conductive fluoropolymers for static discharge or thermal transfer enhancement

This level of customization ensures the tubing solution integrates seamlessly into complex assemblies and automation platforms.