Fluoropolymer Monofilament

ETFE Mesh

FEP Monofilament

PTFE Monofilament

Monofilament is a single filament of synthetic fiber. Monofilament is made by melting polymer resin material and then extruding polymer through hole. These resins are composed of polymer molecules with long chains. In the melting stage, these molecules are arranged in a random and disordered state. When the molten material is forced through the extruder, the extrusion causes the polymer chains to be oriented from a random arrangement to a more ordered arrangement. The polymer chains become more oriented in the extrusion direction, ultimately resulting in a material with a higher degree of polymer chain alignment. This more ordered polymer chain orientation has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the monofilament. [1, 2]

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of polymer chain arrangement during extrusion

Properties

• Due to the presence of fluorine atoms, fluorine-containing fiber-forming polymers, fibers and fiber materials have unique properties. Perfluorinated polymer materials are characterized by the highest resistance to various chemical reagents and physically active media, low wettability to polar liquids, and other specific functional properties.
• Fiber-forming fluoropolymers, fibers and fiber materials made from them have high resistance to external forces, biological stability and biological inertia, as well as high-efficiency protection and other functional properties.

Applications

• PTFE monofilament fibers are used in woven products to form a non-stick high temperature surface. It is used as a braided sleeve in the automotive and aerospace markets to protect pipes, hoses and lashing lines from chemical corrosion and abrasion environments.
• Monofilament fibers made of PTFE are also often used to make brushes, belts, fabrics, etc. Other industries that use monofilament fibers for various purposes include medical product manufacturers, 3D printing, textiles, and clothing.
• In the medical field, PTFE monofilament can be used as surgical suture, and it occupies an important position in operations such as vascular and cardiac surgery.

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrographs of PTFE monofilament suture. (i) Original, 100X, (ii) Extruded, 100X, and (iii) Extruded, 500X. [3]

• PVDF monofilament is used in the production of conveyor belts and filter screens, suitable for applications requiring high acid and oxidation resistance, such as applications in the wood pulp and paper industry.
• PVDF monofilaments are used to produce high-end window screens in applications requiring longevity, such as in commercial buildings.
• PVDF homopolymer monofilament is used for fishing line because of its invisibility (refractive index similar to salt water), toughness (high tensile strength), hydrophobicity (non-absorbent) and high specific gravity (submerged in water).

References

1. Mackley MR, Polymer processing: the physics of stretching chains, Physics in Technology 9 (1978) 13.
2. Giles HF, Wagner JR, Mount EM, Extrusion: The Definitive Processing Guide and Handbook, Elsevier Science, 2013.
3. S. Tremblay, A. El Maliki, M. Fiset, D. Mantovani, Materials Science Forum, 539–543 (2007) 161–166.

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