What is "C-Porous™," a porous PTFE product that is breathable, water-repellent, and chemical resistance?

Porous PTFE products are chosen as a material that meets the needs of customers who want ventilation but also want to keep out water and foreign objects, and who need materials that are resistant to temperature and chemicals. PTFE is fluoroplastic with excellent properties such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, and non-stick characteristics, and by combining it with a porous structure, it is possible to further expand the range of its functions.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the features and uses of Chukoh Chemical Industries' PTFE porous product "C-Porous ™".

What are PTFE porous products?

The "porous" aspect of PTFE porous products refers to the presence of many fine pores, and refers to a structure with many tiny holes inside or on the surface of the material. This porous structure allows air and gas to pass through while blocking foreign matter such as water droplets and dust.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is fluoroplastic that originally has excellent chemical resistance, heat resistance, and non-stick characteristics. By making this PTFE porous, it is possible to add advanced functions such as air permeability, water repellent performance, moisture permeability, and dust resistance.
For this reason, it is widely used in applications requiring waterproofing and ventilation in harsh environments, as well as in medical equipment, automotive components, and electronic devices that require high reliability.

Furthermore, "C-Porous ™" is the general term for our fluoroplastic fluororesin products.
We use our unique technology to make PTFE porous, and offer a wide range of products including films, adhesive tapes, and tubes.

Characteristics of PTFE porous products (advantages and disadvantages)

PTFE porous products have the following characteristics: Because they combine these features, they are widely used in harsh environments and in fields where high reliability is required.

merit

-air permeability
The porous structure allows air to pass through while preventing water and other foreign objects from passing through. We offer a wide range of films with different Ventilation measure depending on the thickness and porosity.

・ water repellent performance
PTFE has stable chemical bonds, which gives it low surface energy, and its microscopic pore structure repels water droplets, preventing liquid penetration.

- Breathable
Only gas components such as water vapor can pass through. By circulating air, it is ideal for preventing condensation caused by temperature differences.

・ Dustproof
The pore size is designed according to the particle size to prevent foreign matter and dust from getting in. Furthermore, in addition to water repellent performance inherent to PTFE, the low surface energy makes it difficult for dust to adhere, demonstrating excellent dust release properties.

・Heat retention (heat insulating characteristics)
Its structure, which contains a lot of air in its microscopic pores, makes it difficult for heat to be transmitted and provides excellent heat retention. It is also used as an insulating material and to protect parts that are vulnerable to temperature changes.

・ flexibility
Its porous structure allows it to maintain high flexibility even when thick, and it can conform to curved surfaces and complex shapes. It is also resistant to repeated bending and stretching, and has excellent durability against shape changes.

・ chemical resistance
It has a stable molecular structure and is inactive against most chemicals. It is also resistant to impurities even when exposed to strong acids or alkalis.

Disadvantages

・ Oil resistance
Oil and some organic solvents can clog the micropores, reducing air permeability. For this reason, we also offer products with an oil-repellent coating on the film surface.

・Shape stability
PTFE single membrane products tend to shrink in high temperature environments. For this reason, we offer products that have been annealed or that have been combined with other materials to prevent deformation.

Main applications of PTFE porous products

Due to their high functionality, PTFE porous products are being used in a wide range of industrial fields. Below we will introduce specific application examples for each major industry.

Medical field

PTFE porous products have a fine pore structure that prevents the intrusion of bacteria and foreign matter while ensuring air permeability, contributing to a reduced risk of infection and improved equipment reliability.In addition, their excellent chemical resistance means they can be used safely in equipment that comes into contact with chemical solutions.

<Major application examples>
・Vent filter
・Protection of chemical liquid pipes
・Scaffolding material for cell culture
・Artificial blood vessels
・Diagnostic equipment, respiratory equipment, etc.

Automotive field

In the automotive field, pressure differences and condensation caused by temperature changes can be an issue in sealed components such as ECUs, sensors, and headlights. PTFE porous products are used as components that solve these problems by providing both air permeability and maintains waterproof. We can also offer Oil repellency repellent products for components that are susceptible to the effects of oil and lubricants, such as sensors in the engine compartment.

<Major application examples>
・ ECU and headlamp gas vents
・Oxygen sensor
・Driving recorders, etc.

Electronic equipment field

Inside electronic devices, factors such as heat, humidity, and dust accumulation can cause performance degradation. PTFE porous products are ideal for waterproofing and dustproofing, as they prevent water and dust from entering while maintaining air permeability. We also offer porous adhesive tapes ideal for protecting electrical wires and cables, as well as highly breathable porous films for applications requiring sound permeability, such as mobile devices.

<Major application examples>
・ Office Automation Internal pressure regulating membranes for devices and mobile equipment
・Wire coating
・Cable protection, etc.

Introducing C-Porous™ products

We use our own proprietary method to create porous fluoroplastic (PTFE). We can also manufacture punched products and composite products with other materials, so please feel free to contact us. Below we introduce our PTFE porous product "C-Porous ™."

film

・ PTFE porous film SEF-010

PTFEを多孔化し、フィルム状にした製品です。
PTFE100%のため、耐熱性・耐薬品性・耐候性に優れています。
シール加工・打ち抜き加工も可能です。
▼SEF-010の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/c-porous/

・ PTFE porous film SEF-600
PTFEを多孔化し、フィルム状にした製品です。
「SEF-010」に比べて、通気性と耐水性の両面で優れています。
ハンドリングできるコシの強さを維持しながら、広い幅でのご提供が可能です。
▼SEF-600の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/sef-600/

・ PTFE porous film composite
PTFEを多孔化したフィルムに不織布やメッシュ等を複合した製品です。
「SEF-010」に比べ、高通気・高耐水性能を兼ね備えています。また、シール加工・打ち抜き加工が可能です。
用途に合わせてガラスクロスや黒色の不織布メッシュを複合させることも可能です。
▼PTFE多孔質フィルム複合品の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/c-porous-compositeproduct/

・ PTFE porous sheet SEF-200
接着剤を使用していない100%PTFEの柔らかい厚手の多孔質シートで、断熱材、緩衝材、ガスケットとして使用されます。
多くの気孔があるフィルムを基材にしているため、ふっ素樹脂の特性である耐熱性や耐薬品性に加えて、断熱性・柔軟性を有しています。長期間にわたり劣化もほとんどなく、安定した性能を維持できるのも特徴です。また、柔軟であるため、打ち抜きやカッターで容易に加工が可能です。
▼SEF-200の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/sef-200/

Adhesive tape

・ PTFE porous adhesive tape ASF-130T
PTFE多孔質フィルムを基材とし、シリコーン系粘着剤を塗布した製品です。
気孔により断熱性・クッション性を持ちます。
また、他のプラスチック系断熱材よりも耐熱性に優れており、高温かつ発塵させたくない部分の断熱材として最適です。
▼ASF-130Tの詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/asf130t/

・ PTFE unsintered porous tape SEF-110
PTFEの未燃焼多孔質テープです。通常のシールテープと比較して誘電率が低く、誘電体損失が小さいため、絶縁被覆用途に適しています。色は白と黒の2色展開です。
▼SEF-110の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/sef-110/

tube

・ PTFE porous tube TEF-100
PTFEを多孔化し、チューブ状にした製品です。PTFE樹脂のみのため、耐熱性・耐薬品性・耐候性に優れています。多くの気孔により通気性・透湿性を持ちながら防水・撥水機能、柔軟性も併せ持っています。ロッド状やマルチルーメン品の製造も可能です。
▼TEF-100の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/c-porous-tube/

・ PTFE thick-walled porous tube TEF-110
PTFEを多孔化した厚肉のチューブ状製品です。多孔質化することで空気を多く含み、優れた保温性（断熱性）があります。また、柔軟性もあるため複雑な形状にも性能が付与できます。背割りカット加工も可能です。
▼TEF-110の詳細・製品規格はこちら
https://www.chukoh.com/products/c-porous/c-porous-tube-thick/

Summary

What did you think?
PTFE porous products have the properties of fluoroplastic while also combining a variety of functions such as air permeability, water repellent performance, water resistance, and dust resistance.Due to these excellent properties, they are being used in a wide range of fields, including medical, automotive, and electronic devices.
Chukoh Chemical Industries has a wide selection of PTFE porous products that can be selected according to the application and environment, so you may be able to find a product that meets your needs.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.