|
|
Frequently Asked Questions.
GENERAL
|
Q.
|
How is FluoroEtch® Safety Solvent Packaged?
|
|
A.
|
FluoroEtch is packaged in strong, light-weight, fluorinated HDPE barrier containers. It is available in pints, quarts, gallons, half-liter, one-liter and four-liter bottles. The carton packaging is outlined on our pricing page.
|
|
Q.
|
Is FluoroEtch an adhesive?
|
|
A.
|
No. FluoroEtch is intended to modify the surface of a fluoropolymer to prepare it for bonding. The resulting surface is bondable with any adhesive.
|
|
Q.
|
Is there a particular adhesive that should be used with fluoropolymers?
|
|
A.
|
The selection of an adhesive should be made independent of the fact that you are bonding a fluoropolymer. The decision should be made with the help of an adhesives expert who will help you analyze the conditions that the bond must support.
|
|
Q.
|
How does FluoroEtch work?
|
|
A.
|
Fluoropolymers are made up of at least carbon and fluorine atoms. FluoroEtch Safety Solvent contains metallic sodium in solution. The sodium in the FluoroEtch reacts chemically with the fluorine of the fluoropolymer, extracting it, leaving the molecule temporarily unbalanced. During the remainder of the process, the washing and drying, hydrogen and oxygen begin to restore the equilibrium of the molecule. This results in a highly carbonaceous backbone rich in functional groups that are responsible for adhesion.
|
|
Q.
|
Can I etch other materials besides fluoropolymers with FluoroEtch?
|
|
A.
|
No. It is intended to modify the surface of only fluorinated materials. However, sometimes the base solvent can have an unintended etching effect on other polymers.
|
|
Q.
|
Is it effective on ALL fluoropolymers?
|
|
A.
|
Yes. PTFE, FEP, ETFE, PFA, PVDF and CTFE along with numerous varieties of filled fluoropolymers as well as the new generation of modified PTFE's have all been successfully surface modified with FluoroEtch.
|
|
Q.
|
Are there any exceptions?
|
|
A.
|
Fluoropolymers that have been cross-linked for chemical resistance cannot be etched with a sodium-based etchant. There is no known way to chemically modify the surface of a cross-linked fluoropolymer.
|
SHELF LIFE, SHIPPING AND STORAGE
|
Q.
|
What is the shelf life of FluoroEtch Safety Solvent?
|
|
A.
|
When stored at room temperature (recommended,) an unopened bottle of FluoroEtch will retain 100% of its activity for a minimum of one year from the date of manufacture.
|
|
Q.
|
How do I know the date of manufacture?
|
|
A.
|
The date of manufacture is exactly one year prior to the Expiration Date stamped on the Acton label on the bottom of the bottle. The batch number is also shown on this label.
|
|
Q.
|
Should FluoroEtch be refrigerated?
|
|
A.
|
No. Unlike other etchants, it is perfectly stable at room temperature.
|
|
Q.
|
Will refrigeration do any harm to FluoroEtch?
|
|
A.
|
No. However, we recommend using FluoroEtch at room temperature or above. See the Technical Bulletin for details.
|
|
Q.
|
How is FluoroEtch normally shipped?
|
|
A.
|
When no shipping method is specified, FluoroEtch is shipped by UPS, Ground.
|
|
Q.
|
Can FluoroEtch be shipped by air?
|
|
A.
|
Yes. UPS air shipments (Red, Blue, Orange) as well as Federal Express, DHL, Airborne and other "overnight" methods of shipping are available.
|
USING FLUOROETCH SAFETY SOLVENT
|
Q.
|
What materials are recommended as etching vessels for using FluoroEtch?
|
|
A.
|
Stainless steel, polypropylene, polyethylene and glass are all good choices for use as an etching container.
|
|
Q.
|
Can FluoroEtch be sprayed or painted on?
|
|
A.
|
No. Its viscosity and its sensitivity to oxygen make these application methods quite unsatisfactory.
|
|
Q.
|
How should FluoroEtch be applied?
|
|
A.
|
The recommended procedure is by way immersion. This minimizes the exposure of FluoroEtch to atmospheric moisture and oxygen that deteriorate the etchant. Follow the instructions in the technical bulletin.
|
|
Q.
|
How long does it take for FluoroEtch to work?
|
|
A.
|
The recommended etching time for PTFE is 30 to 60 seconds. Co-polymers of PTFE take a little longer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
