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

This product is made by making PTFE porous and turning it into a film.
Made from 100% PTFE, it has excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and Weatherability.
Sealing and punching processes are also available.
▼ For details and product specifications of SEF-010, click here
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/c-porous/

・ PTFE porous film SEF-600
This product is made by making PTFE porous and turning it into a film.
Compared to "SEF-010", it is superior in both air permeability and water resistance.
We can provide it in a wide range of widths while maintaining a firmness that allows it to be handled.
▼ Click here for details and product specifications of SEF-600​
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/sef-600/

・ PTFE porous film composite
This product is a composite of porous PTFE film and nonwoven fabric or mesh.
Compared to "SEF-010," it has higher breathability and water resistance. It can also be sealed and punched.
It is also possible to combine glass cloth or black nonwoven mesh depending on the application.
▼ For details and product specifications of PTFE porous film composite products, click here
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/c-porous-compositeproduct/

・ PTFE porous sheet SEF-200
A soft, thick, porous sheet made of 100% PTFE without adhesive, used as insulation, cushioning material, and gaskets.
Because it uses a film with many pores as the base material, it has heat resistance and chemical resistance that are the characteristics of fluoroplastic, as well as heat insulating characteristics and flexibility also has the characteristic of maintaining stable performance over a long period of time with almost no deterioration.In addition, because it is flexible, it can be easily processed using punching or a cutter.
▼ For details and product specifications of SEF-200, click here
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/sef-200/

Adhesive tape

・ PTFE porous adhesive tape ASF-130T
This product is made of a PTFE porous film base and coated with a silicone adhesive.
The pores give it heat insulating characteristics and cushioning characteristics.
It also has better heat resistance than other plastic insulation materials, making it ideal as an insulation material for areas where high temperatures and dust generation are undesirable.
▼Click here for details and product specifications of ASF-130T
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/asf130t/

・ PTFE unsintered porous tape SEF-110
This is an unburned porous PTFE tape. Compared to regular sealing tapes, it has a lower dielectric constant and smaller dielectric loss, making it suitable for insulating coating applications. It is available in two colors: white and black.
▼Click here for details and product specifications of SEF-110
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/sef-110/

tube

・ PTFE porous tube TEF-100
This product is made by making PTFE porous and shaping it into a tube. Made solely from PTFE resin, it has excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and Weatherability. The many pores give it air permeability and moisture permeability, while also providing waterproof and water-repellent properties and flexibility. It is also possible to manufacture rod-shaped and multi-lumen products.
▼Click here for details and product specifications of TEF-100​
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/products/c-porous/c-porous-tube/

・ PTFE thick-walled porous tube TEF-110
This is a thick-walled tubular product made from porous PTFE. The porous nature of the material allows it to contain a lot of air, resulting in excellent heat retention (heat insulating characteristics). It is also flexibility, allowing it to be made into complex shapes. It can also be cut to fit the spine.
▼Click here for details and product specifications of TEF-110​
https://www.chukoh.co.jp/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.