ETFE Coatings – High-Performance Protection for Extreme Requirements
What is ETFE?
ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer that is particularly suitable for use in industrial environments. Thanks to its combination of chemical resistance, mechanical robustness and thermal stability, ETFE is used in chemically aggressive, abrasive or thermally stressed environments.
Powder coatings with ETFE enable seamless, durable protective layers on metallic components and offer an excellent alternative to expensive material replacement or mechanical protection.
Technical advantages of ETFE coatings
- Chemical resistance: Resists acids, alkalis, solvents and many industrial media – even at elevated temperatures.
- High mechanical load capacity: ETFE offers a reliable abrasion resistance, ideal for dynamically loaded components, valves or conveyor systems.
- Thermal stability: Continuous load capacity up to approximately 150 °C – suitable for many production processes.
- Very good electrical insulation effect: Ideal for applications where dielectric properties are also required.
- Permanent & low-maintenance: The smooth, non-porous surface significantly reduces cleaning and maintenance effort.
- Possible layer thicknesses 300-1000µm
Available variants
- Electrically conductive
- Filled (e.g. for better permeation resistance)
- FDA-compliant
Difference to E-CTFE (Halar®) – when ETFE is the better choice
Both ETFE and E-CTFE (Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene) belong to the family of partially fluorinated plastics and are excellently suited as industrial coatings. Nevertheless, the two materials differ in their characteristics:
| Property | ETFE | E-CTFE (Halar®) |
| Chemical resistance | Very good (also at temperature) | Excellent, especially against oxidizing media |
| Mechanical load capacity | Very good | Good |
| Temperature resistance | Up to 150 °C continuous operation | Up to 150 °C continuous operation |
| Processing temperature | Higher (~270–300 °C) | Somewhat lower (~250–270 °C) |
| Applications | Mechanically loaded components, filter systems | Pipelines, process containers |
Typical applications of ETFE powder coatings
- Filterhousings, fittings, pumps & valves
- Conveyor systems for aggressive media or abrasive substances
- Container inner coatings in the chemical, pharmaceutical or food industry
- Plant components with thermal or mechanical stress
Why ETFE coatings from us?
The processing of ETFE places high demands on know-how, plant technology and temperature control. As an experienced provider for high-performance coatings we guarantee:
- Process reliability and reproducibility
- Pronounced quality assurance and layer testing
- Intensive technical consulting and deep user understanding
- Large component sizes up to 5x2.50x2.50 meters
Frequently asked questions about ETFE coatings
How long does an ETFE coating last?
With proper processing and suitable application area, ETFE can exist maintenance-free for decades – even under difficult environmental conditions.
Which components can be coated?
All metallic components such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum – even with complex geometries. (according to ISO EN 14879)
Is ETFE food-grade?
Yes, ETFE meets – depending on design – the requirements for food contact according to EU and partly also FDA specifications.
How thick is an ETFE coating?
Typically between 300 and 1000 µm, depending on requirements also realizable in multiple layers.
What does an ETFE coating cost?
The costs depend heavily on geometry, layer thickness, pretreatment and quantity.
Dieses Beschichtungsverfahren finden Sie bei uns bei folgenden Unternehmen:
ADELHELM Kunststoffbeschichtungen GmbH
EPOSINT AG Technische Kunststoffbeschichtungen
ADELHELM LubriCoat North America LLC
