Fluorointermediate Use Cases
Many industries face challenges when they create products that require chemical or electrical resistance, thermal stability, or low surface energy. Fluorointermediates satisfy these needs and can make a critical difference.
The Chemours Company’s fluorointermediate compounds can safely and efficiently provide benefits in many diverse applications, including:
- Electrical machinery
- Plastics
- Glass etching
- Other diverse and emerging industrial and research applications
The two major use cases for fluorointermediate compounds include:
Specialty Fluoropolymers
Many fluorointermediate compounds—particularly HFP, TFE, and vinyl ether compounds—are used as building blocks in the manufacture of fluoropolymer products.
Fluoropolymers typically have higher chemical, thermal, and oxidative stability compared to non-fluorinated polymers, and can be found in many applications such as:
- Construction materials
- Limited combustible cable
- Photovoltaic backing sheets
- Graphic films
- LCD reflectors
- Fuel cell membranes
Chemours’ Fluorointermediates form the basis of many well-known brands such as Teflon™ fluoropolymer resins, Viton™ fluoroelastomers, and Nafion™ membranes.
Agrochemical/Pharmaceutical
The number of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals containing fluorine has increased significantly over the past decade. Strategic introduction of fluorine into a molecule can modify the performance of an active ingredient. For example:
- Fluorine can effectively protect vulnerable sites from oxidation, leading to enhanced metabolic stability.
- The introduction of an electronegative fluorine atom can alter the efficacy of an active ingredient with minimal steric effects.
- Fluorine can impact the overall lipophilic properties of the molecule, impacting bio-availability.
Fluorointermediates impart key functionalities to pharmaceutical and agrochemical active ingredients. Fluorine can be found in anti-osteoporotics; human and animal antibacterial pharmaceutical active ingredients; and agrochemical fungicides and insecticides used to protect vegetable, grain, and citrus fruit crops.